Word for 2012

In my previous post I stated that my word for 2011 was DISCOVER. This year I wanted to choose a word that would challenge me, define me, encourage me and motivate me in all things. This word is more than JUST a word to me, it is something that I strive to be, something I see in others and admire them for being. It's not a complex word and it's not a word that is typically read as "deep."  It's plain and simple yet not always easy to obtain. My word for 2012 is STRONG The definition of this word is

1.     having, showing, or able to exert great bodily or muscular power;    physically vigorous or     robust       

2.

accompanied or delivered by great physical, mechanical,etc., power or force

3.

mentally powerful or vigorous 

4.

especially able, competent, or powerful in a specific field or respect

5.

of great moral power, firmness, or courage

I find this word to be strong in itself. It can be negative or positive. It can build or destroy. It can be a weakness or a strength.  My goal is to be balanced and attempt to be strong or stronger Physically, Mentally, Spiritually and even Emotionally. There are some character traits that may be viewed as weak, such as meekness, submissive, quiet, humble and sometimes kindness. But for some (me included), these traits require a lot of strength. It doesn't come natural for me to be meek and especially submissive. These are area's that I want to be stronger. Kindness is easy for me, but what about towards my enemies? What about towards those people I feel don't deserve my kindness? I have been told that I am an open book. If I don't tell you how I am feeling, you will be able to read it on my face. This is where meekness comes into play. I need to be "slow to anger" like my little nephew, Luc says. I need to be long suffering. This is no easy task. But I want to be stronger in this area of my life. 

Another area is physically . My journey to lose weight has transformed my way of thinking. I don't want to just be a skinny girl. I want to be a strong, fit woman. From the way I eat to my daily activities. I want to push myself to run further, to be able to do more push ups, to have abs that are rippling and legs that are aching. I want to be an athlete, I want to teach my kids to be strong, to be fit, to be healthy. I want to run a 5k, 10k and who knows maybe even a 26k. I don't have to win I just have to finish. I want to push myself, to have goals. That brings me to mentally stronger. There are many reasons why I have not done certain things in my life, but the main reason is FEAR. I have a fear of failing. I have a fear of disappointment. So instead of saying "well at least I tried" I would rather not try than face failure. But the problem with thinking that way is you limit yourself, you fail because you gave into your fear.You put yourself in a box and never expand your wings, causing yourself to miss out on some amazing adventures. It takes confidence to face your fears, and it takes strength to have confidence. I can honestly say that because I KNOW I can run 5 miles, it has boosted my confidence in other area's of my life. Cooking, baking (yes those are two different things) and house keeping to name a few. I take my job as being wife and mom seriously,and how can I teach my children to be confident in all they do if I give into my own fears? I want to be strong for them. I want to learn to be better for them. They deserve it and I will enjoy it as well. 

That brings me to my final category, Spiritually. I want to have a STRONG relationship with my Heavenly Father. More than ever before in my life I want to dig into His Word, soak it in and live it. This takes the most amount of strength of all. Because when you live an authentic Christian life you are 100% selfless. That doesn't me neglect yourself , but it means submitting to the Holy Spirit. It means sacrificing yourself to be a blessing to someone else, it means loving even if you know you are going to be hurt. Again not an easy thing to do. I want to develop a strong relationship with my God in 2012. I will be doing a online Bible study with my Sister Sherry, on the book of Ephesians. I am so looking forward to this. I just finished one on the book of 1 John and I have been convicted so much. I have learned so much. Now to apply it to my life. You see, I don't just want to say I'm a Christian. I want to say I am a daughter of the King of Heaven. I want to say that I KNOW my God. He talks with me and walks with where ever I go. I desire that more than anything else and really this is where my journey begins. With Him. If I become stronger in any area of my life it is because He gives me the strength to grow. He gives me the wisdom I need and the control I need for every situation that I may come across this year. So whatever tasks you may take on this year, whatever area's in your life you want to be strong in I would suggest starting right here, with God. Because He is the ultimate source of STRENGTH!