A Gift in Red, White, and Blue

Happy Independence Day!
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

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A Gift in Family, Faith, Freedom

• I have an awesome family! (Facebook Status on June 29, 2014.)


• "Let us ... come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). (Facebook Status on April 27, 2014.)


• During this Independence Day weekend, I'm particularly thankful for the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution - separation of church and state, the right to assemble, freedom of speech! (Facebook Status on July 3, 2011.)

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

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Three Gifts Read

• The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.


• Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.


• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

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Three Gifts Loved

• Elisabeth, my firstborn, now twenty-three and ready for a adventure in Japan next year.


• Erin, the middle child with all the charm and the neuroticism of that position, just graduated from high school and preparing for college in the fall.


• Jonathan, the boy with three "mothers," my baby who is now taller than I am.

#1000Gifts #JoyDare

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One Little Word for 2014

For the fourth time, I'm choosing a one-word theme for the year. (For more information about One Little Word as conceived by designer Ali Edwards, check out Ali's blog posts here.)

Last year my word was (en)light(en), and in 2012 my word was fullness. This year I'd like to build upon everything I've learned in the past two years and continue onward.

on·ward

ˈänwərd,ˈôn-/ adverb in a continuing forward direction; ahead. adjective going further rather than coming to an end or halt; moving forward.

I am going to utilize Ann Voskamp's idea for A Grace Plan to create a 25-point manifesto related to my One Little Word.

Have you chosen a one-word theme for the year?

One Little Word for 2013

I chose Order as my one-word theme for 2011, and in 2012 my word was Fullness. My word for 2013 came to me almost as an epiphany, shortly after Winter Solstice, when my friend Louise posted this as her Facebook status: "May the literal return of light be a metaphor for our hearts."

My word is actually three interrelated words:

(en)light(en)

light
n.
1: the natural agent that stimulates sight and and makes things visible; a source of illumination
2: understanding of a problem or mystery; enlightenment; spiritual illumination by divine truth
v.
1: provide with light or lighting; illuminate
2: make (something) start burning; ignite
adj.
1: of little weight; easy to lift
2: gentle or delicate
3: requiring little mental effort; not profound or serious

lighten
v.
1: make or become lighter in weight, pressure, or severity
2: make or become lighter or brighter

enlighten
v.
give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation; give (someone) spiritual knowledge or insight

I think these words cover a multitude of concepts I want to explore or accomplish in 2013. Covering the spectrum from literal to figurative, from mundane to extraordinary, among those ideas are faith ("For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."), sunshine, frivolous fun (Lighten up!), learning and experiencing new things, weight loss, and decluttering. I'm not yet finished contemplating the word Fullness, either, and I think that the verbs Light and Lighten also relate to my thoughts about mindfulness and living deliberately.

Have you chosen a one-word theme for the year?

Quote of the Day

"There is always a reason to dance."

~Anne Lamott

Source: Los Angeles Times, December 16, 2012.