Word of the Year for 2018

Actually I am going to cheat a bit. My word of the year is actually two words.

At first I was just going to go with 'FOCUS'. That's what has been on my mind for several months now. I need to 'focus' on what is in front of me and not get sidetracked by shiny objects.

Case in point.

I have a TON of fiber/fabric projects, all in various stages of completion. I run into the quilting store to get some more fabric for a current project and come home with fabric for yet another project and want to work on that instead. 

Not a good thing.

Then I read an article about positive living and thinking (don't ask me when or where, but I did). 

The idea of focusing on the positive around me hit a chord. Believe me, in this day and age it is so easy to get caught up in the negative and let it overwhelm you.

Now anyone who knows me I have a thread of sarcasm in me. Okay, it's a huge rope of sarcasm. No one will every accuse me of being a Pollyanna and constantly viewing life through rose colored glasses. But I know from years of experience, looking at the positive or looking for the positive, is much healthier, mentally and physically, then dwelling on how bad everything is.

And it's the little things which can make the difference. Take these bulbs for example.

I love hyacinths, especially when I force them indoors in the winter. They add color and scent to any room. 

However, I am currently maxed out on plant room. And Lady K was interested in watching their development from bulb to roots to sprouting. So I gave them to the daycare. The kids have been watching their progress and how they go from one day being nothing, to the next day the flowers peeking through. Lady K loves it because the way I taught her to remember the name of them is to wave and go "Hi-acinth".

Yes, I don't have them in the house where I can see them all the time. But I see them when I take her to school. And they bring the kids and teachers joy. So that's 'focusing on the positive'.

Another thing my 'word of the year' will hopefully make me do, is to take that extra couple of seconds (and normally that's all it takes) and just 'be nice'. How much of an effort is it to tell the checkout clerk "have a good day"? Or stop and stand by the door at the daycare to open it in the freezing, early morning hour, to let a dad, with twin boys, one in each arm, into the building. Yes, I had to wait a bit because he was just getting out of his car. Wow, all of 2 or 3 seconds! He didn't have to put one of them down to open the door and it made his day a bit easier. 

Now I'm not trying to pat myself on the back and tell you what a 'nice person' I am. Believe me, you want to see Medusa in action, follow me around. My head can spin and my eyes cross, prior to ripping your head off in a heartbeat. I get a lot of "now, Momma" from the girls. 

So the coming year will be taking a step back. Focusing on what needs to be done. Putting new ideas and plans on paper and setting it aside until current projects are completed. 

And most of all, being positive. Focus on the positive in the world. Even if you have to 'battle' evil, you can still surround yourself with positive - people, ideas, actions. 

I will be a force for change - one tiny, positive action at a time.