Instead of making a new year’s resolution, how about setting a THEME for 2010? Choose a theme that reflects your assignment for this particular time of your life. Your THEME can be applied to many areas of your life and will allow some freedom for failure and the excitement of surprise.
Your THEME is not random. It may be balancing out your previous year or it may be something you see God is leading you towards, or you might see a new direction emerging. For example, maybe 2009 was hectic and frazzled, so your THEME for 2010 might be Rest or Quiet. By focusing on Rest, you allow yourself to sit, to say “no” to a request, or go to bed earlier. Your health and spirit will be renewed and your life will be more fulfilling.
Maybe there is a need in your life for friends, better health or de-cluttering. Be positive and use words that will help you take action. For example, instead of having a theme of Making Friends, choose Be a Friend. That implies taking action that will most likely lead to connection with others.
Some THEME ideas to get you thinking - Simplify, Adventuring, Health, Move my Body, Write, Surrender, Laughter, Paint, Savor the Moments, or Discover my Passion.
Take the following steps to identify a THEME for 2010:
Step 1
• Picture your life being richer because of your attention to your theme
• At the end of 2010, what will make you smile as you look back over the year?
• What is your assignment for this particular time of your life?
• Is there a way 2010 needs to be balanced?
• Ask God to give you direction in selecting a theme.
Step 2
• Write out several themes that seem to emerge from within. Give some thought to how they might be carried out in your day to day living. Is it a theme that can be realized in your ordinary routine as well as jump start you to try something new?
Step 3
• Select your theme. Embrace it. Be excited about it. Write it on several cards and place them in strategic places to remind yourself about your 2010 THEME. For example, place THEME cards on your bathroom mirror, over your kitchen sink, on your computer, hanging from the rear view mirror in your car, and wherever else you look frequently.
Step 4
• Give yourself permission to evaluate your theme quarterly. Is it still a good path for you? If not, change it. Or, recast the vision - how will it make your life better having allowed this theme to be carried out in your life?
Yes, I have chosen my THEME. In 2009 it was Creativity. After having my creativity squished over the last couple of years, my soul was screaming for me to pay attention to this important area of my life. So I engaged in more photography, created photo books, developed new workshops, wrote articles and blogs, did some redecorating and tried lots of new recipes.
My THEME for 2010 is Harvest. God has been laying the groundwork with my training, skills and talents. I sense that this year God will provide a Harvest of products, speaking engagements, webinars, classes and books that will help bring a Harvest to women all over the world to live richer, fuller lives. I can’t wait to see how God unfolds this theme!
Be sure to share your THEME in the comment section of this blog. I want to cheer you on! Happy New Year! Click here to comment.
8 comments:
Betsy, I LOVE this post and assignment!!
My theme for 2010 is to SHINE! I want to glisten with the light of Christ. However, I also think it's iBloom's year to shine! God has BIG (actually, HUGE) things in store and I can't wait to see how HE shines through all that we're doing!
And you won't believe this, but I found a necklace at Kohls today that says 2010, then on the back it says "Shine On!" I'll be wearing it all year as a reminder of my theme!'
Can't wait to hear the themes of others!
Love it Betsy!
My theme for 2010 is borrowed from HGTV..."Start at Home" It reminds me that as a wife, mother, and marriage coach my success starts within the walls of my own home. My attitude each morning has an impact on my husband's day, my daughter's day, even my dog's day. What I do and the environment I help shape in my home is so important.
This year I would love to have more home cooking and less take out, more space and less clutter, more sweet moments with family and friends and less time spent doing things that won't matter a year or 10 years from now. Thanks for your encouragement to guide our actions this year with a theme!
I love the idea of picking a theme. God seems to always deal with me this way - over the years I can think of times he's dealt with my trust, patience, perseverance, etc. Recently I've started a daily prayer journal in a addition to my "regular journal" as I've been preparing to facilitate a study on prayer at my church. I've noticed that every day, no matter whether it's a good one or a trying one, that I'm always ending with the commitment of of taking the next step with God's grace and guidance. I love the concept of asking Him for my next step, action, task, words, or even thought - and I find that I come back to that conclusion of my need for His next-step guidance at the end of each journal entry, no matter what my current circumstance. This is particulary meaningful to me as I plan my days of retirement that have less structure than I have been used to for so many working years. So...my theme for the New Year is to rest in the assurance that He will always show me HIS NEXT STEP. Thanks for helping me to focus on it more intentionally.
Sherrill Schlimpert
I love the idea of picking a theme for the New Year. I've found that God has always dealt with me in themes over the years, so it makes sense to be seeking it! It's interesting that you brought this up, because I've discovered a new theme now that I've started a daily prayer journal in a addition to my "regular journal" as I've been preparing to facilitate a study on prayer at my church. I've noticed that every day, no matter whether it's a good one or a trying one, that I'm always ending my entry with the conclusion that I need to actively seek each next step with God's grace and guidance. I love the concept of asking Him for my next step, action, task, words, or even thought. It really helps as I've been adjusting to my lack of routine now that I'm newly retired, and sometimes I feel somewhat scattered and overwhelmed by so many choices of important things to do! So...my theme for the New Year is to rest in the assurance that He will always show me, not mine, but HIS NEXT STEP.
Betsy,
I think that my theme for the year will be to Grow Deeper. As I reflected on the trials and pitfalls of 2009, I realized how much I need to rely on and depend on the Lord. To do this, I need to grow deeper; in faith, in trust, in knowledge of Him and of who I am in Him. To grow my ministry and reach more people for God, I need to grow deeper, as well. I need to realize that huge dreams require lots of work and lots of prayer and lots of trials! Grow Deeper in my willingness to get out there and try new things....
So--maybe I will find a plant I really like to be my Grow Deeper reminder!!
Thanks for the inspiration and the idea. Blessings and love galore to you this year.
Karen
I love how a theme can give you freedom for failure and surprise. My theme is self control which encompasses so many areas of my life. I feel like I need to develop better habits in many small areas to be the woman God wants me to be. It applies to my body, my business, my daily walk with God and so much more. I am claiming 2 Tim 1:7.
My theme for 2010 is thankfulness!
First and foremost for my salvation my huband and family. As we can see in any moment of time everything can change so rapidly.
We can get so caught up in the mundane things we forget the many blessings that we enjoy daily.
A warm or cool home to live in depending on climate. More than enough food, health and the ability to come and go at will.
When I begin to grumble about anything, I want to count blessings instead.
As I begin another week with a house that needs cleaning help me Lord to give thanks for a home to clean.
I find that this will be my challenge for 2010.
Betsy,
I love it...I am always inspired by you! After much prayer and searching to hear God's Rhema for 2010, He gave me 2 Corinthians 9:10-15 "Sowing Generously" for a harvest of grace, righteousness and thanksgiving! So first His exceeding unsurpassing grace, the my heart full of gratitude to overflow with generosity for all!Bless you Betsy...it was fun reading everyone's creative themes.
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