My word for 2017 is give. You can read all about why I chose it here.
Here are a few questions I asked myself to see how my word’s been working for me:
what have I learned?
Interestingly, but probably not a surprise to God (Gal 6:7), I’ve been receiving more than I’ve been giving
I’ve paid for some lunches for friends which has been really nice. I hadn’t set out to do it like this but there has been one every month.
It’s not only money – I’ve been spending out in time with people, consciously taking time out of a busy schedule to phone/ whatsapp/ leave voicemails/ go see friends to engage with and encourage them.
what’s working really well?
I gave to myself by being brave and making all my health appointments early this year – gynae, mammogram and dental procedures. The worst of the dental is past and the last bit will be fixed in June this year.
I’m also giving myself relaxation in the form of enough sleep and the freedom to read (a lot of) books.
And grace. I’m recognising when things are hectic and that I might need to go a little bit easier on myself. In years past, I would still be up at all ours trying to get everything done, but now – sleep is more important.
The 5 love languages
You may know that I teach workshops on the 5 love languages.
I’ve been consciously asking myself how I can give love in the particular person’s love language – for Dion and the kids, and for my friends.
I said to a friend a few weeks ago, “I would LOVE it if all my friends would just take the love languages quiz and the MBTI, so I could know how to be an amazing friend to them all”.
A cool thing is that a good number of my friends came to a workshop I held last year so I wrote down all their love languages and now, I can show them love in the way they prefer.
What do I want to do for the next quarter?
- I want to arrange a 7-day #givechallenge on Instagram for me and whoever else wants to join me.
- I want to get my Bible reading going again.
- I want to start the day off and ask, “who can I give to today?”
How about you? How’s your word of the year working for you?
What’s working/ not working/ what have you learned/ what do you want to change?
So glad I am seeing this post. Its a reminder to not forget my word of the year which is brave. I have lived my word a little this year. I have been forced to do things which I usually shy away from. But there is still loads more I can do to live this everyday. Thanks for the reminder. I am actually taking this as a sign 🙂
Do you have a reminder on your desk, or something that you can wear?