I’m not one who usually writes those word-for-the-year posts. I don’t even make New Year resolutions. I don’t usually discern my theme/motto/phrase/word until partway through the year. But this year is different.Who knows? Maybe I’ll have a new theme in the middle of the year as well.

Maybe it is because I haven’t done any goal planning this year. Maybe it’s because I feel the change in life seasons occurring. But I have chosen a theme. This is something that I struggle with yet it is also really important to me.

I want to be fully present in every moment.

A few years ago I learned a little about the Amish way of life. The Amish move throughout their day in an unhurried fashion. They don’t rush through the housework so that they can get on to the ‘more important tasks’. To them, everything is important. They give their undivided attention to whatever it is that they are doing at that time.

Enjoy today, it won’t come back.
~Amish proverb

I want to honour the ordinary, to be fully present in the moment… to savour the little pockets of time that so often go by unnoticed. I want to fully engage with whatever it is that my hands are doing at the time. I want to connect all parts of me – head, hands and heart.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
~Colossians 3:23

I don’t see myself slowing down this year. In fact, I may very well be busier than I have in many years. So when I am talking to my children I want to be fully present with them. Not with one ear for them and yet my mind be wondering about that nights tea. When I am blogging or designing I want to be fully present in doing just that. When I am doing dishes I want to do the dishes. With purpose.

No more distinctions between the sacred and the ordinary for the ordinary is sacred unto the Father. I’m going to enjoy the process – whatever process. I’m going to slow down mentally and give each task my utmost attention. I’m going to do one thing at a time. I’m going to cherish the moments. Seconds become minutes. Minutes become hours. Hours become days. Days to weeks and weeks to months. Before I realise it another year’s closing is fast approaching. Another year in which my children are older. Another year closer to them becoming adults, leaving home, sharing their lives with their special someone.

Many times throughout my life I have felt like the days just dragged on. Yet amidst the days the years simply flew by. One year my eldest daughter was in nappies and cuddling her special teddy and then next year she walked down the aisle to spend the rest of her life with her special man.

What is your theme, phrase or word for 2012? Or maybe you are like me and don’t usually do the coming year. If so, what was your word/phrase for 2011?

Cherish
Every
Moment