Jenn Satterwhite

While surfing some family blogs for a topic this week, I came across many, many on resolutions. Throw a rock (a virtual bloggish one, that is) and you will find ways that many people are vowing to make 2008 a great year for themselves and their families. It was then that I came across a post that really got me thinking. Over at My Semblance of Sanity she wrote about boiling your resolution down to one word. ONE word? That is craziness for a chatty woman such as myself. Seriously? One word?

Some of the words suggested were great. Kalynn Punder suggested “Blog.” I am going to have to defer that to the Things I Do As Much As Breathe category. Great suggestion, though. For those of you on the fence, I think this one is great. For those of us who have so many blogs we are frantic, perhaps we can use it as a way to remember that we enjoy blogging. Right?

Tracy suggested “More.”

As in “more patience, cook healthy, family meals more, take care of myself more.”

I like that one.

Kelly suggested one that I think all moms could use a bit more of: “Myself.”

I will take some time out for myself, since it is sooo easy to burn out giving all my time to work, hubby, and 2 little kids.

The Frazzled Farm Wife suggests “Patience.” I can do that. RIGHT NOW. Oh, wait. I think that defeats the patience part. I should work on that one.

But all of this really did get me thinking about it. Could I take ONE word to sum up all of the things I would like to accomplish in 2008? Or even use one word as a mantra of sorts to remind myself of what I am trying to achieve? I don’t know. I am a lover of words. But just one word? Many have called me verbose. (I use that rather than talkative, blabbering and chatty by choice.)

At first I thought about “Consistency.” That is a good word. Consistency in work, parenting and relationships. That is a great word to sum up a lifestyle change for the best. As I pondered all of this I began to talk to some other people to hear what their suggestions for me might be– seeing as they know me best.

My husband suggested “Housework.” (He should regain consciousness soon.) Housework? I am not going to make my entire 2008 mantra about housework. Nor will it be Organization. No thank you. I think that can fall under the Consistency title. (Or the do it yourself and make the kids pitch in category.)

A friend suggested “Volunteer.” (She is no longer my friend.) I volunteer enough now to be considered charitable yet not so much as to be considered insane. It is close, though.

When I read one of the final comments on the Word for 2008 post, I found my word. Ellie at Finding Myself wrote:

…my word is PEACE…peace within myself, around me, and what I put out!!!

Peace.

There is my Word for 2008.

If it doesn’t bring me peace, I will lose it. If it causes me to lose peace, I will get rid of it. If it brings me peace, I will embrace it. If I can share peace with others, I will reach out and do that. And if I see that those around me are stealing my peace, I will make changes.

I like that. After such a turbulent time of so little peace in my life, I would love to see myself surrounded with people, experiences, work and a home that brings me peace. In fact, if I take all of the suggested words listed, I can tie them all into Peace. (Yes, even the Housework word.)

I want to hear from you. If you had to choose one word for 2008, what would your word be?

Peace out, my friends.

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Cross posted on BlogHer.