Today

I have never really been a resolutions type of person. But for this new year, I have been feeling like I needed something to keep me grounded as a mother - something to work towards. I guess I can't help it. I think it just comes with this time of year. Everyone seems to be reflecting on their life and chosing things to change or improve.

I love to make lists. I especially love when I can cross things off my list and feel like I have accomplished something. But I don't think that making a long list of things that I need to work on will help me. That type of a list sets a person up for disappointment and would only serve to make me feel guilty all year for the things I didn't do or change.

Lots of women out in the blogging world have the tradition of designating one word to be a sort of motto for the year. This idea has got me motivated for 2011. I have been really thinking about how this could help me, and I really like the idea of chosing one thing that I can appy to all areas of my life.

So, I have decided to pick out my own word. I have been racking my brain about what I wanted my word to be. I wanted it to be a sort of theme for my life and something that I can strive to live for throughout the year. I didn't want to be influenced by what other people have chosen for their word. They were good: simplify, focus, contentment, but they didn't fit into what I wanted or needed.

Then I came across a story about a man who had recently started a diet. He was feeling overwhelmed by the task until he realized that all he had to do was eat right that day. He didn't need to worry about tomorrow or next week. If he had the same determination to eat right today, everyday, then eventually he would meet his goal.

This simple story struck me in a profound way. It all clicked and made perfect sense. I had my word. All I need to do is live the best I can today, and take it one day at a time. Why hadn't I thought of that before? I tend to get overwhelmed so easliy, but if I can just remember this motto of "Today," then I know can make it through anything.

In the words of Bill Keane, "Yesterday's the past and tomorrow's the future. Today is a gift - which is why they call it the present."