Reflections on my one word for 2022: Balance
Happy New Year!
2023 is here, and I am in a hotel in Massachusetts. I had a Belgian waffle for breakfast with butter and syrup, so there’s that. So much for starting a diet on New Year’s Day. I am trying to eat healthier, but how often do you wake up to that kind of carb sweetness? Tomorrow is a new day, and maybe I will skip the waffle. But it is also my last day of having access to this waffle machine, which brings me to my word for 2022: BALANCE.
VERSE OF 2022: (Balance)
Last year, I chose my one word and verse for 2022 and made some resolutions and goals. I learned a lot, but I only kept some of them and hit a few goals. Still, I made progress.
Progress is a game changer.
Why? Because this is an example of how it usually goes. My goal is to lose weight by dieting, eating healthier, and exercising. Then about four days in, I eat a cupcake, and it is game over. I failed and will never lose weight. I may as well eat pizza.
Sound familiar?
Balance whispers, “Yes, you ate the cupcake. It was a celebration, and a cupcake does not equal failure. Go for a walk. It is not the end of the world. Don’t wait to start over tomorrow or next Monday.”
Side note: (Waiting until Monday means eating a lot of what you shouldn’t and getting it out of your system). Food issues much?
Balance says it is okay to mess up. Just get back on track quickly.
My struggle was bigger than food. Balance also taught me that when it comes to writing (and other things), I get stuck in analysis paralysis. Especially if I think I am doing it “wrong” or “not good enough.” Instead of writing, I spend too much time learning about writing to ensure I am doing it correctly.
News Flash: The writing I am bringing to you now is what made me fall in love with writing. I want to share my journey, hoping it will be helpful to someone. That’s it.
That is what I love, and that is where I plan to head in 2023. It may not be perfect or structured appropriately, but again: balance.
Focusing on “balance” also revealed patterns of comparing myself to others, feeling inadequate, and giving up.
It also made me see the ripple effects of trauma and how “freeze” is my go-to response. 2022 was a study of triggers, mindset, and stress mixed with deeply rooted trust and control issues.
I am still learning and processing it all, and God is faithful. His grace is excellent, especially when you want to give up.
His grace says, “I am here. Let’s try again. You can do this.”
So here we go. I hope you will join me.
Did you choose one word or verse for 2022? I would love to hear how God used your word to grow you and show you a better way. I’d love to hear from you.
Also, please be sure to check out my free resource: Was it really sexual abuse? 10 Myths that make us doubt the reality.
Happy New Year to you! Thank you for being here.
