As the new year appears again right before my eyes, my thoughts go to this past year.
So many incredible yet unexpected experiences and new adventures.
Last year as I sat and wrote about my word for 2012, I had no idea that it would take on such a different meaning than I had intended.
That was my word. At the time I really believed it meant that God was going to take from my plate. He was going to force me to do less + focus more on my family and my relationships. But Simplify took on a different vision for me this year when God opened the doors for us to start Pollinate Media last June. God wasn’t asking me to quit my life, but simply focus fewer things.
Rather than spreading myself thing trying to do things I wasn’t called to do, He helped me shut doors and move on.
And so I did. With the launch of Pollinate came the decision to close my handmade shop. A decision I had wrestled with for so long. It had become a piece of my identity and God couldn’t help shape me into the person He wanted me to be until I let it go. With each decision I made after that, I did it with the intention of simplifying. If it wasn’t something I could get done, I would let it go. If I couldn’t be somewhere, I had to simply say no.
And it was so hard. Every ounce of my being strives to be everything I can to everyone. The type-A, overachiever flaw for sure. As I look back I realize that last year, as I began to simplify in different areas of my life, God began to put me in specific circumstances and put people in my life that I never expected. They have helped me grow, change + be the best version of myself I can be.
It was purposeful. Each of those moments was God breathed for me + it was beautiful.
{Wore: Paige Colored Skinnys // Top – Madewell // Sweater – Ella Moss // Booties – Nordstrom}
As I began to pray for my word for 2013 over the last week, several came to mind, but one has stuck with me more than the other.
One is a wonderful reminder and extension of what God taught me last year.
My word for this year is: Purposeful
I want everything I do or say to have purpose.
Whether it is to teach, learn, travel, do, work, blog…. I want it to all be with purpose.
I want to be more purposeful in my friendships. To not all allow being busy to be an excuse.
I want to be more purposeful with my children. To anticipate their needs and meet them.
I want to be more purposeful with my husband. To find things that are completely non-work related to do and talk about.
Most of all I want to be more purposeful with my relationship with my Abba Father. To spend time and meditate on His word and hide it in my heart.
As this year begins, what word or scripture are you holding onto? Have you already begun to claim it in His name?
Yesterday I shared some of my personal and professional goals this year, over HERE. I’d love for you to pop by and check them out.
Happy New Year friends!
@ragstostitches
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Hi + welcome to my little spot in the blogesphere.
I'm so glad you stopped by.
My name is Alissa + I'm the fun-loving, chocolate addict, coffee drinking
Wife + Mom behind the blog Rags to Stitches.
I hope you’ll pop around and stay for a while.
What a beautiful post! I love how much heart you have in the Lord! I love the idea of having a word for the year and I am going to need to start praying for my word to come to light as well. Happy Healthy New Year!
Danielle recently posted..Paleo Gingerbread Pancakes
thank you so much friend.
i feel as though this word this year has given me a renewed sense of purpose.
no pun intended. haha
i can’t wait to hear your word.
happy new year!
Alissa Circle recently posted..Purposeful. My Word for 2013
Love the word that you picked. So good! I need to work on that area of my life too. Happy New Year! Love the new blog design. XOXO
Jillian recently posted..2012…a few of my favorite memories
thank you!
Cyndi did such a great job bringing my vision to life.
happy new year!
xo
Alissa Circle recently posted..Purposeful. My Word for 2013
I adore this post!!! Simplify! Wow, it’s like an epifany:) I love how you explained how God helped you get there!
Also, making your relationships purposeful is such a great goal and so important!!! This is something I could really use a good lesson in!
Thank you for such an insightful post! I put mine up yesterday:) Im so excited to see my as on your sidebar. I must say, it looks great and did go ahead and fill out the pollinate group form so I’m really hoping I can fit in there somewhere!!! Thank you for everything Alissa. I am so excited about out new friendship and partnership!!!
HAnna recently posted..*snipits* New Years
I chose “intentional” as my word of the year but hasn’t thought about having a theme verse to go along with it. What a great idea! I think I’ll spend some time in that today. Happy New Year!
i love your word friend!
it’s perfect.
did you find a verse yet?
happy new year!
Alissa Circle recently posted..Purposeful. My Word for 2013
Fabulous post for the new year. I am still thinking and a bit overwhelmed with all that the new year is bringing. Purposeful is a lovely inspiration!
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
I am having a fabulous giveaway right here.
marie recently posted..a new year, new creative endeavors in the works, and starting off saying thank you…
What a great word for the year! Hope 2013 shows you many blessings!
Erin recently posted..HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
You always come up with the cutest outfits Alissa! I bought myself a pair of cobalt jeans last month and have worn them with a lot of grey tops thus far. It’s such a great color combination!
I think my word for 2012 would have been “adjustment” — lots of decisions made with school, work, and where I want my blog to be in the upcoming year. It was definitely an adjustment to say the least!
Pssst: I am in LOVE with your new blog design Alissa! So clean and crisp and am really loving how it involves the whole family now
Danielle recently posted..How Well Do You Know Me?
Love your hair! LOVE the booties! And slightly obsessed with the new layout! Great changes and easy to navigate!
I think that you are going to live your word out to the max. I love that your heart is so loving and tender. Your word will affect so many people! Purposeful… a great thing to achieve!
Mandy @ in the Fashion Lane recently posted..Happy New Year, 2013!
Great minds think alike! My word for the year is “purpose.” It feels as if I’m always trying to put out fires. I want to live with purpose so I am paying attention and working for those things that are most important.
Katrine recently posted..A Year In Review
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Melaina25 recently posted..What I Wore Wednesday: 30/60th Birthday Party
Hi! I’m a new reader but browsing through this blog I love it! The word you chose is great, I think I should be more purposeful too. My word for this year is “dedicated”. Also, I love your blue pants. That’s actually my favorite color.
Happy New Year!
Alice recently posted..Hello, 2013.
thank you so much friend! happy new year. I love your word… dedicated. it’s perfect!
Loved reading your post about how the word you chose last year came to fruition. I have chosen “JOY” this year as my word, and hope that next year I have a great story to tell too! The picture of you sitting on the step is just adorable!
Sara recently posted..Auld Lang Syne
I love your word for this year! I can’t wait to hear what story you have to tell this year friend. xo
What a great word! I’ve only just discovered your blog but somehow I’m sure you will make your year purposeful.
Raj
Raj @Pink Chai Style recently posted..Head to Toe Polka Dot
I’m so glad you found me. I hope you’ll pop by again soon. I do a fun coffee date link up on fridays, I’d love for you to join in.
Loved the outfit. specially that colored skinny
Have an awesome year ahead.
Love,
Bong’s Belleza
Ayantika recently posted..Hope……
Colored skinny’s are my favorite!! Do you have any?
Just found your blog today and love it. Purposeful is a great word of the year-love the proverbs verse as well. I am sure God will bless you richly this year through it
claire recently posted..All are guilty
Thank you so much friend. I’m so thankful you came across my blog today. what are you looking forward to this year?
Great post! Happy New Year!
http://www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
http://www.daisyraeboutique.com
Happy New Year to you too!
Alissa,
I had been searching for my for work for 2013 as well. My word last year was “Intentional” I wanted to work on being intentional with my friends, family, job, my business and most especially in growing my relationship with God. Then I read your post. Purposeful stuck in my mind. Thank you for blessing me with you words and thoughts. I pray that I can be “purposeful” in 2013 as well.
Alissa, I hope you don’t mind that I tagged your post in mine. I loved it, and it shows so much of your heart-beautiful!! Thank you for inspiring me to come up with a word as well! ps. Your new blog is gorgeous!
Erica Deuel recently posted..The Beginning of CHANGE
i’m honored that you linked back to my post.
you are so very sweet friend
this year is going to be a wonderful one for us all.
i can just feel it
may God’s name be glorified.
Alissa Circle recently posted..Purposeful. My Word for 2013