Ok, so life gets busy. Really busy. But, I said I was going to be serious about this blog and about my intentions to be less guarded and live my life a little more. So I hereby give you (the 5 people who will read this) permission to nag me when I don't blog enough.
I mentioned that I was going to talk about my theme for this year. I read a few blogs that challenged people to find a one word theme for the year. I thought about it, prayed about it, made lists about it (because, oh, I am a list maker!) and finally felt something that made sense. Invest. That's my word: invest.
So for 2011, I will strive to invest in my marriage, invest in my relationships, invest in my journey with God, and invest in living my life. It has been amazing how much that one word has already challenged me in the first month of 2011. If you look at the tagline of this blog, you will see what finally inspired me. I am not big on song lyrics and tend it find it corny when people are always posting lyrics everywhere. That being said, Mumford & Sons new album Sigh No More has quite possibly the most amazing lyrics that I have ever heard. I am addicted and dangit, they speak to me. So now I join the corny lyric club. Go listen to track #10, Awake my Soul. There is a line that says "In these bodies we will live/in these bodies we will die/ where you invest your love, you invest your life." Stupid meaningful lyrics.
So there it is. My theme this year. Investing my love in what I do and who I see. I anticipate that this will not be easy or always comfortable. Even trying to be more aware of it for a month was intense.
Coming up next time: the first 5 items on my 30 before 30 list. If I don't post this soon, nag me.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Welcome and Why
Hello friends! Yes, I am blogging. Here I am. I have wanted to do this for a long time, but just haven't felt a pull as to what I should be blogging about. So, here I am.
After lots of thought, and consultation with other bloggers (looking at you, KM), I think I finally have found some clarity. Any of you who know me know that I think a lot, I plan a lot, I look forward a lot. So that's what this blog is about. My goals, dreams, plans.
One event tipped me into finally setting this thing into motion. January 1st was the 5 year anniversary of the death of one of my very good friends. I went to Savannah; I laid carnations on her grave like I have done many times before. And this time, for the first time, I smiled while I cried. And as I drove away, I laughed. That evening I went to her parents house for a party. I ate oysters, drank champagne, and watched the way her parents (who I now consider my bonus parents) have embraced their life. I thought about Jenn. I thought about the way that she lived. Living doesn't even seem like enough of a word for this girl. Delight, flourish, relish, savor. Those are better words for how she went about her 19 years on earth.
Five years ago, I thought about how I would take that spirit of Jenn's and put it to work in my own life. I was always a little too guarded, a little too safe. Spontaneous would be the last word you would use to describe me. So now, I reflect on how I am doing with that concept. I give myself a C+. Average. I decided it's time to take a more active step to living my life. I don't just want to live. I want to delight in it, flourish as a person, relish my experiences, and savor my relationships. That's what you are going to find chronicled on this blog.
Here's what you will see coming up on These Cherry Streets (sounds like a soap!). I am working on a list: 30 before 30. 30 large things that I want to accomplish in the next 4 years. Big dreams and amazing experiences. I am also going to post on my one word theme for 2011. It's been two weeks into the new year and this word has already challenged me. I will share my experiences: funny, ridiculous, failed, and flawed.
So, follow me. I am counting on you to help me on this trip.
Belt it out in my car song of the week:
Love it will not betray you
Dismay or enslave you, it will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be
There is a design, an alignment, a cry
Of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be
-"Sigh No More" Mumford & Sons
After lots of thought, and consultation with other bloggers (looking at you, KM), I think I finally have found some clarity. Any of you who know me know that I think a lot, I plan a lot, I look forward a lot. So that's what this blog is about. My goals, dreams, plans.
One event tipped me into finally setting this thing into motion. January 1st was the 5 year anniversary of the death of one of my very good friends. I went to Savannah; I laid carnations on her grave like I have done many times before. And this time, for the first time, I smiled while I cried. And as I drove away, I laughed. That evening I went to her parents house for a party. I ate oysters, drank champagne, and watched the way her parents (who I now consider my bonus parents) have embraced their life. I thought about Jenn. I thought about the way that she lived. Living doesn't even seem like enough of a word for this girl. Delight, flourish, relish, savor. Those are better words for how she went about her 19 years on earth.
Five years ago, I thought about how I would take that spirit of Jenn's and put it to work in my own life. I was always a little too guarded, a little too safe. Spontaneous would be the last word you would use to describe me. So now, I reflect on how I am doing with that concept. I give myself a C+. Average. I decided it's time to take a more active step to living my life. I don't just want to live. I want to delight in it, flourish as a person, relish my experiences, and savor my relationships. That's what you are going to find chronicled on this blog.
Here's what you will see coming up on These Cherry Streets (sounds like a soap!). I am working on a list: 30 before 30. 30 large things that I want to accomplish in the next 4 years. Big dreams and amazing experiences. I am also going to post on my one word theme for 2011. It's been two weeks into the new year and this word has already challenged me. I will share my experiences: funny, ridiculous, failed, and flawed.
So, follow me. I am counting on you to help me on this trip.
Belt it out in my car song of the week:
Love it will not betray you
Dismay or enslave you, it will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be
There is a design, an alignment, a cry
Of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be
-"Sigh No More" Mumford & Sons
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