{K, Less Cake readers……Kristyn is one of the sweetest girls you’ll ever meet.  She drove a really long way to see me at my hotel after I had my last surgery.  And It made me feel SOOOOOOO special.  Seriously.   She’s amazing.  Read this…ane enjoy the amazing.}

Hey there LCMF Readers! I’m so happy to be here today.

This is Kristyn from Lil’ Luna. Can I just begin by saying how much I LOVE Lara?! The girl is just so gosh-dang real, and I just love her to pieces!!

I’m so thrilled about this One-Word Series of Lara’s. It’s so inspiring and has really helped me to reflect on this last year and decide what I want to work on most this year.

The word I’ve chosen for the entire year is:

I find myself not ENJOYING life enough, and I’m sick of it. I always have things to do, and that probably won’t change but I am going to make an extra effort to not take on extra responsibilities if I don’t have to, find more time to spend with my family and friends (and less time on the computer) and more time enjoying life in general, especially when things don’t go as planned.

I hate to admit it but I can often be found grumpy when I’m overwhelmed and stressed out. This can even happen when something really small and insignificant happens, which is absolutely ridiculous and I really want to change that.

There was a talk given by a leader of my church several years backed called “Finding Joy in the Journey”. I recently re-read this talk and want it to be my motto for the entire year (and the rest of my life) since it really is so profound and true. He talks about how we sometimes get so caught up in the world and often find ourselves not enjoying life and our family as much as we should. He also talks about how one day mothers will profoundly miss the fingerprints on the windows and piles of laundry that cover the house with young children. I’ve seen how quickly my own kids are growing up, and I see this already happening, and more than anything I don’t want to regret not ENJOYING that time more.

Having said that, I am going to try my darndest to just ENJOY life and everything that comes my way. I know it won’t be easy, but I know my life will be better and my family and I will be happier if I can truly embrace this new way of life.

So…

ENJOY!

Welcome to One Word, One Goal 2013

Last year, I introduced a series I like to call “One Word, One Goal”.  (and no……I did not come up with the idea…..I just think it’s great.)  I’ve been picking one word goals for 3 years now, and they have been the most uplifting, and challenging, and rewarding resolutions I’ve ever made.

2011 was: BREATHE

2012 was: REFINE

AND 2013 IS GOING TO BE:   RISE

I picked rise because it helps me face so many of the things that I am anticipating for 2013….and it challenges me to meet it and rise above it.

• arise: I gotta fight to get out of bed.  I gotta fight to make my muscles work again.  I gotta arise above the feeling that I am picked on.  I gotta arise above the depression.

• rise up:  I gotta rise up and share things that I know to be true with others.  Including rising up and speaking about the health situation I face.  I never know when I might help someone.

• glamor-rise: (okay that one is a stretch….gimmee a break)  This one is to remind me that I need to take back my self-esteem.  I have gained almost 80 pounds in a year.  80!  You guys, it is so much that I can’t even fathom.  I feel horrible about myself and I don’t know HOW I’m going to be seen in public for the next year.  Nonetheless, I can glamor-rise and try to learn to love me.  No matter what size I am.

• rise above: I feel like I need to rise above situations that bring me down.   People that aren’t 100% on my side.   I also need to rise above myself.  Rise above pettiness.  Rise above grudges.  Rise above gossip.

• sun rise: And finally, guess what?  Every day the sun comes up.  And that is something to be grateful for.  No matter where we are.  No matter if we’re in pain.  Alone. Scared. The sun is still there.  And it kind of reminds me that someone else is there for me too.  No matter what.

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I have struggled for weeks about what word would help me this year.  I KNOW that whether my upcoming surgery works or not I am in for a challenging year.  But I think I love the idea of rising above the challenge.  Rising above the negative reel of thoughts in my head.  Rising above myself.  And focusing on others.  It’s so full of possibility I think it’s perfection.