A new year brings a lot of mixed emotions for me - nostalgia for the year that just ended (which was one of the best ones ever to me) and a sense of adventure and a tiny bit of apprehension for the year ahead, not knowing what 2018 will bring. That's the main reason I like to go away for a couple days for a dedicated planning and prayer retreat all by myself.
You might be thinking, "She travels all the time by herself and is home everyday by herself. Why does she need to do it again?" This is my third year going to the Woodcliff Hotel in Rochester, NY, just about an hour away from home, for a couple days totally focused on evaluating the past year of life in every area, and praying about future plans and goals for the coming year.
I love that the rooms have a big picture window with a comfy chair where I can set up my "headquarters" for my retreat. I brought my fuzzy slippers, a blanket, comfy clothes, and even my own coffee and mug.
The first day started out cold and dreary with snow...
The second day was colder...
And the third day was even too cold to sit by the window for long!
I brought a new Moleskine notebook to journal in, my Bible and colored pencils, my Grace Notes gratitude book, and two books that I've been reading each January on my retreats, Make It Happen, and Big Magic. This year, I just skimmed through the books and took notes on the parts I had highlighted before.
I spend time evaluating why I do what I do - what purpose do I and does it have? I write my prayers of praise and dedication to do what God wants me to do and to go where He wants me to go. I write prayers for family and friends. It is a precious time, and I highly recommend taking time away from your normal surroundings and routine to take a little retreat.
One of the things I was hoping to accomplish on the retreat was to discover my word for 2018. A word for the year - kind of like a guidepost and a goal for the year - is something I like to have before me. There are many different people that talk about having a word for the year, but Ali Edwards has made it meaningful for so many people with her One Little Word class and products.
Towards the end of 2017, I started writing words in the back of my planner that stood out to me as I read or thought about things...
I thought about these words on my retreat, but none of them really gripped my heart. It actually wasn't until I was leaving the hotel to drive home that my word came to me.
The hotel has free valet service for your car, so I was very happy to have the valet scrape the snow off the car and bring it to me all nice and warm. He was so kind and sweet about it and CHEERFUL that it made me so happy. I couldn't stop thinking about the word CHEER. My next few interactions with people were filled with thoughts of how a kind word of appreciation or even just a smile could bring cheer to them. That's what I mean about a word guiding your year. (I did have an interaction with a stupid driver who I gave a dirty look to as I passed by, and then immediately thought, "That wasn't very cheery!" and vowed to do better the next time.) LOL
A couple years ago, I subscribed to Ali's Story Kits, with products each month centered around a word for that month. When I got home, I looked back through the kits and discovered that the very first kit I'd gotten was in January 2016, I think, and the word was my word, cheer. Perfect! Now I have the acrylic word (You can order your word to display for the year HERE.)
The cards and stamps and chipboard stickers that came in that little kit are perfect for reflecting the many facets of the word cheer. Cheery, happy, joy, cheers, yes, good cheer... it really is the right word for me this year. I hope to make a conscious effort to bring good cheer and encouragement to others and, like that first card says, it will be the beginning of a happier life. Who doesn't want that! I can't wait to see how this word shows up in my life this year and see what God teaches me about it!
Have you chosen your word for 2018 yet? Would you share what you chose and why in the comments? I think it's so encouraging to read each other's thoughts and cheer each other on!
What a wonderful idea to have a retreat at the beginning of each year. I have been having an at home one this week. I do have an interruption today to take Mom to the lab but other than that I have been staying in my apartment and doing more reading and reflecting. I have two more days and then my week will be over.
My word for this year is HEAL. I have a lot of physical issues and God has told me he has healed me. I am using this as a way to watch it play out and record it as it comes. He has already healed me of the flu and I can feel some other things changing and improving. I'm so excited to see the end result as my body catches up with what He has already done.
Posted by: Deb J | January 10, 2018 at 10:17 AM
promise...
remembering god's promises
my daughter is getting married, the promise of marriage
Posted by: kay | January 10, 2018 at 12:43 PM
Embark.....lots of changes this year...retiring after 40 years....
Posted by: Debbie | January 10, 2018 at 04:59 PM
I think that is incredible that you had the kit just waiting for you!!!
I saw Cheer on your instagram and didn't quite get it but after reading, I do.
Great choice!
Cheers!
Posted by: Jane | January 10, 2018 at 06:38 PM
Nurture...
At work, with precious kiddos. At home, where I care for my elderly mom and disabled husband. Just beyond home, with my son and his fiancée. Wherever I go, because everyone is fighting some kind of battle.
I had heard of OLW, but I’m excited to find Ali Edwards’ guided program to help me focus on my word with prompts throughout the year, so I’m finally joining the OLW community. (And that’s where I found you.)
I love the idea of a retreat all by yourself. I was able to dive into God’s Word like never before at my stay-at-home retreat during our December break. So far, I’ve kept my new habit of getting up earlier each day for prayer and Bible study. As a result, I’m helping God nurture me!
Posted by: Annie Fischer | January 14, 2018 at 03:59 AM