Last year I started a new tradition for myself – identifying a theme word for the year. I find it kind of funny that my Facebook feed has recently been awash with people sharing the word a new Facebook app identified for them to use for their new year. Coincidence? Possibly, but I choose to believe I am a trendsetter.
Anyhoo, it’s a new year, so I need a new word. Last year I used “Courage.” I have a long history of allowing fear to stop me in my tracks. Fear of the unknown; fear of failure; even, ironically, fear of success. At the beginning of 2017 I declared that I would no longer allow fear to rule my life. I do not regret that choice.
My first act of courage was starting this blog. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but I was always too afraid to share anything with anyone, so I either failed to do any writing, or hid what I had produced away. Honestly, I’m still surprised when people tell me they enjoy the things I write and share here. Not only has it been personally satisfying, but I am completely blown away by the opportunities that have landed in my lap as a result of this endeavor. The support and encouragement I have received has truly blessed me. And best of all, I have this blog to thank for a couple of other projects I’m working on. I had no idea that one little step of faith could help me transition into the next phase of my life. I may not be ready to go bungee jumping, but I’m going to put last year in the Win Column.
Now onto this year. I spent the last month dealing with illness. Every day I woke up and asked myself, “Am I finished being sick yet?” The answer is still not yes, but I am definitely much better today than I was even a week ago. My desire to be done with being ill is what got me thinking about all the things that I leave half done. I’m a great starter, but I have a little trouble on the finishing end of things. Some call it the curse of ADD, others pure laziness, but either way, it’s completely and totally annoying. I decided this is the year I face this tendency head on. My word for 2018 is: FINISH.
I vow, to the very best of my ability, to finish what I start. No more half-cleaned out closets. No more piles of paper left from cleaning up the office. No more shoes strewn about the living room because I ran out of steam to get them into the closet. No more half-eaten cakes left to waste on the counter (sorry waistline). No more vegetables needing to be chopped languishing in the vegetable drawer, doomed to grace the bottom of my garbage bin (you’re welcome heart). No more half-read books on the nightstand (you’re welcome husband). The half-assery ends here. I will finish things.
I have a long list of things I need to finish. In fact, I even have a list started of things I need to get done around here somewhere. Of course, it’s not finished though. It’s probably in one of those piles in the office, or on the top of the book pile in the bedroom. I guess I’ll start with that list. As soon as I finish the cup of tea I’m about to brew. That’s a task I know I can complete.
Shannon R. Brown 