I have a feeling that 2013 will be busy, too, and so I'm going to keep focusing on seeking balance in my life. However, I'm picking a new word of the year, too, and it is:
present
Adjective
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Noun
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Not so much meaning "a gift," although I think there is a real connection between being present and realizing that what you have in that particular moment or place is, well, a gift.
Type-A personalities like myself tend to have a problem with spending too much time focusing on what will be happening in two minutes, two hours, two days or weeks or even years and not today. It's hard to be mindful and it's hard to focus on each day when you're anticipating what tomorrow might bring. (I am guessing this is especially true of writers and debut authors.) But I've found that whenever I've actually gotten myself to do that--spend some time in the here and now--it's deeply satisfying.
Do you struggle with mindfulness or staying in the present? If you're good at it, what are your strategies?
And what's your word for the new year?
11 comments:
Great word, Rebecca.
Mine= explore.
My 2013 word = risk
Re: mindfulness. It's hard for us to be mindful in the midst of our busy lives, always needing to plan ahead for the next activity/task, but just taking time for a walk outside helps.
I have that problem. I have a hard time focusing on the now.
My word this year is gratitude. :)
Love this word and would probably need to take it as a motto as well. For me it goes along with "appreciate" since I tend to worry. A lot.
Looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things 2013 bring you (and to have a drink :P)
Great choice! I'd like to try to be more present too this year. I'm also very Type-A and need to learn to let go of my obsessive/worrying tendencies.
That's a really good word. I struggle with that, both during exciting times that I want to fully experience, and during routine days where I'm guilty of letting way too much time go by while I noodle on the internet. My cat is good for focusing me, actually--when she comes and sits on my lap and asks for attention, I try to make a point of stopping and focusing just on her for a few minutes. She's a middle-aged kitty now and I know she won't be around forever, so I try to appreciate her and enjoy her when she's being sweet.
I've always struggled with being in the present. I find myself dwelling on past mistakes and stressing about tomorrow constantly. Because of this, I regularly miss out on or forget to enjoy what's going on in the here and now. I regularly get this feeling that life is passing me by because of it. I definitely think that PRESENT is an excellent word for 2013. Now, if only I could work that mentality into my everyday life... :)
Great focus word choice. It's hard to force yourself into the present moment when there is so much looming ahead, but I'm sure it's definitely worthwhile. Maybe try meditating?
I didn't do a word post, but after reading a few I think my focus word for 2013 is going to be positivity (which I stole from Jessica Love's recent focus word post).
I love your word, Rebecca. It's one I try to keep in mind when I'm with my family. It's so easy to become distracted, and I never want to regret missing out on those special moments.
Oh, I definitely have trouble staying in the present. That's why my word of the year is FOCUSED, but I think I may adopt BALANCE as a close second. :)
I think this is a great choice for you...you'll have to do a lot of living in the future this year w/ book stuff, I assume, so this will be a good reminder for you. :-)
YAY 2013!
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