My One Little Word

I came across Ali Edward's One Little Word idea, and thought it seemed like an interesting way to be reminded throughout the year of what my goals are.  As I thought about what I might choose for my one little word, I came up with ideas like athlete, self-discipline, photography, or creativity (I know what you're thinking...athlete?...that's a stretch.  But it's my word to choose, don't judge).  As I put more thought into it though, I realized that my words were so self-centered in nature.  Hello, self absorbed!   And then it came to me.  My one little word for the year is....drum roll, please....OUTWARD.   This word doesn't always carry a positive connotation with it, but in this case, it does.  The idea being to be the opposite of inward and thusly, the antithesis of self absorbed.

outward:  belonging or pertaining to external actions, as opposed to inner feelings; proceeding or directed toward the outside or exterior, or away from a central point. 

You see where I'm going with this.

I'm not so into the New Year's resolutions, but I do like to set goals (year round, really, depending on when the moment strikes...it doesn't necessarily have to be at the stroke of midnight one day a year).  With "outward" in mind, here are my goals for 2011.

1.  In a nutshell, I want to think more outwardly, instead of inwardly.  How freeing would it be NOT be so consumed with ourselves?  (By "ourselves", I really just mean "myself".)  Instead of:  what is best for me, what do I want to do, how do I feel, how does this affect me; I want to think about these things more from my husband's, my childrens', my friends' perspectives. 

2.  Along those lines, what can I do to be better wife, mother, and friend?  Everyone knows how I love my Shanna, and let me just say that she is a wonderful example of the type of outward thinking person I am talking about.  Are you hungry?  She'll bring you food that will last a week.  Do you want to complain discuss something that you've already talked about 7000 times?  She'll listen with an open ear and never show signs of weariness.  Does your son want rainbow silly bands?  She will hunt for silly bands until she finds rainbow ones, deliver them to you, and not even require proper credit be given when you hand said silly bands to a delighted young child.  Do you need a kidney?  She has two.  She'll probably give you one and a half of hers' if that's what is necessary.  This is the kind of "outward" that I am referring to.  How can I meet the needs of others?

3.  I want to be more outward with my faith.  I'm always nervous that people won't approve, or they'll think I'm weird, or they'll ask questions that I won't be able to answer because I don't feel I know enough.  But this all points back to that self-absorbed situation that I'm trying to steer clear of.  The focus of our Bible study right now is about sharing our faith.  "Sharing" implies that we have to be outward with it.  In another nutshell - this is not my strong suit, but I want to be better about this.

So there you have it.  My outward proclamation of my one little word for 2011.