#OneWord365: Alive

// January 4th, 2012 // Faith, Family, My Fabulous Life

Lamenting to a(n) (imaginary) friend that I’d miserably failed my 2011 word (Seek), I went back and read that post. Failed? No. Still in seek mode? Yep. Just because the year’s over doesn’t mean I stop focusing on that word, and I feel like I’ve come a long way. I just haven’t blogged about it; about much of anything, really.

I’m OK with that. It’s not like blog was my focus word.

My word this year?

Sara was one of the reasons I chose this word, because she truly was one of the most joyful, alive people I’ve ever known, even as she edged toward Heaven’s gate. She died with grace, dignity, and humility. But she remains alive in spirit as I frequent her words that continue to lift me.

I have also been inspired and moved by the lovely Shauna Ahern, as I sought out cooking/baking ideas when gluten reared its ugly head within my body. In that seeking process, I fell in love with her zesty passion for life, love, and community as written so eloquently in this post. I’ve dog-eared her cookbook, which reads like a novel, but is her true story of love and sacrifice.

Today I sit on the edge of the unknown, waiting for a diagnosis of a loved one with a potentially life-stealing disease. I think of all He gave to the world through Sara who embraced her own disease by giving glory to God. Her one word last year? Praise. My prayer is that our remaining days, months, or years (only God knows – only God decides) we all choose to be alive, keeping our spirits and attitudes awake,  animated, sensitive. Each of us has numbered days. Let us not be the walking dead.

Just like the visual thesaurus that guided me to Seek last year, I look there again for direction: “mentally perceptive and responsive,” “capable of erupting,” (nailed that one!), and “full of life and spirit.”

Alive.

Whatever my circumstances.

Tea today: Marrakesh Mint

Related posts:

  1. One Word 2011
  2. Rejoicing for Harold
  3. If Only…
  4. Blessings: What if…?
  5. Quotefully yours

8 Responses to “#OneWord365: Alive”

  1. katdish says:

    Alive indeed. Not among the walking dead. And I tried a word on that visual thesaurus. Didn’t much care for the associated words. Hmmm….

  2. Mandy says:

    First of all. IMAGINARY? I am imaginary? Boooooo.

    But fine. I guess I’m still not sure whether you’re actually a murderer. My co-workers are probably still convinced Sara was.

    Secondly, I think this is a great word for you but also kind of easy because you are one of the most ALIVE people I know. I love everything about you.

    • Candy says:

      You were imaginary until you popped on G+ in antlers and a Rudolph nose. It was then I knew you were for real.

      And thank you – alive is how I want to be. I even ordered the bracelet!

  3. GREAT choice for 2012!! We should all live alive like Sara did shouldn’t we?! Will be praying about your loved one’s results…

  4. To be truly alive – not just walking, breathing, heart beating – but our spirits infused with the Holy Spirit – more alive through the Father and the Son empowered by the Holy Spirit – to be what He created us to be – I want to be alive like that! Wishing you more aliveness than you thought possible!

  5. jenn nahrstadt says:

    thought i had you in my reader, but you didn’t come through so i had to come looking for you!

    “alive” as your word choice…sara would be happy.

    my word for the year chose me, and it is peace. i’m finding that it has different implications in scripture than i thought, but i also know that one of its meanings–be still–is challenging for me!

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