Thursday, January 2, 2014

Intention...

You know you're old when you find yourself ringing in the new year in your sweatpants, curled up on the couch watching Friends re-runs on Nick at Nite.   But you really know you're old when you don't even make it to the Friends re-runs because you fell asleep at 9:30.

And I'm not even a little bit sorry because it really was the perfect way to end 2013.   

I had chosen "Grace" as my word of the year for 2013.  Obviously a nod to our sweet baby girl, but also as a reminder for me to dig into God's grace and to pour that grace out onto others.  And I definitely did those things.  I felt myself pulling away from the criticism and negativity that had started to creep into my life during the utter chaos that was 2012.  

But what ended up being the most beautiful surprise was that, as the months went by, I began to give myself some grace.  As I became a mother and was attempting to learn how to juggle so many different roles in a way that didn't leave me frustrated and disappointed in myself, I began to realize -- and to appreciate -- that I will never be anyone except myself.  

I am only Ryan.  A wife.  A mother.  A lawyer.  A clumsy, forgetful, awkward, hot mess of a girl who talks too loudly and drives poorly.  I'm always going to be a terrible gift-giver, a hopeless romantic, and a lover of music.  I have strengths, and I have weaknesses, and those strengths and weaknesses are different from those of my mother, my best friends, my co-workers, and the people whose lives look so shiny and beautiful to me on Facebook.

I was aware of these things, and even appreciated them, in the past.  But I think I truly embraced my individuality this past year in a way I hadn't done before.  I gave myself the grace to be who I am.  Nothing more, and nothing less.

So as 2013 came to a close, I began to ponder my word for 2014.  For me, the word I chose is the perfect extension of 2013 because it will help me focus on being who I am... on purpose.

INTENTION.

I've actually seen "Intention" pop up on a few other blogs, and I love that so many others are thinking what I'm thinking.  Which is that life is more fun when you mean it.  

I sort of started on this path when I made my 30 Before 30 list in August.  Because I'm such a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, life tends to pass me by if I'm not paying attention.  Weeks turn into months, and months turn into years, and then I wake up six years later wondering how in the world I went from being a college student with a cute boyfriend to a mom with a law degree and a mortgage.  I mean, holy cow.  

So I'm declaring 2014 (and hopefully the years that follow) as the year that I lived my life with intention.  I'm going to intentionally follow my God, serve my husband, play with my daughter, enjoy my family, and laugh with my friends.  I'm going to intentionally jump into this beautiful life that I live and stir up some dust.  Because I know I'll regret it if I don't.

Bring it on, 2014.  This girl is ready for you.  

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great word!

The Tale of Three Ps said...

Really well written! Love this.

Jessica K said...

Awesome post! I love this!!!

Unknown said...

My NYE sounds similar to yours...I made it to about 12:30, but I was curled up in my sweats watching TV with the husband. I'm not gonna lie, I loved it!
I love intention, I think it's a great word! I chose joy for this year...I'm excited for all 2014 has in store!

All That Glitters said...

Bahahaha! That sounds like a fantastic NYE to me....Friends just never gets old!

Brooke said...

I had never heard of choosing a word for the year... I like it!

Jessie said...

Has anyone told you that you write eloquently? Loved this. Intention would be a word I would choose for 2014 too. Go get 'em, girl!

Brittany said...

So well written! Love it all! I'm off to go figure out my word for 2014! (& my NYE sounded a lot like yours). ;)

Taylor Bradford said...

I LOVE your word!!! It is so easy to let life just pass us by. But it's what we do with our life that makes it worth living. And being Intentional and Mindful are two words that come to mind to make living more fun, adventurous, mysterious, etc. :)

Colleen said...

it's perfect! loved reading this Ryan.

Elizabeth said...

Love your word for the year! I too want to live my life with intention. I don't want these years with my baby girl to pass me by!

I went to bed at 10 on New Year's Eve and I thought it was the best decision ever.

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