Life in today’s world requires multitasking in order to process the information that comes at us from all directions.
Just being can be such a drain – not to mention all of the doing that is required to stay constantly connected.
At times, the minute-by-minute communication punctuating our days, though affirming – (we are worth keeping in touch with!) – can also be a drain on our focus, even anxiety producing. (What if I didn’t respond quickly enough?)
We are training our brains to continuously anticipate the next thing.
Why can’t the present moment be enough?
My word for 2016 floated in – and remained. No other word surfaced as I considered my guiding intention for the year.
Presence.
Plain and simple.
Just thinking the word brings calm, and invites me to exhale.
Two of the many definitions of presence resonated with me:
- the fact or condition of being present
- something (as a spirit) felt or believed to be present
For this oft-distracted damsel, living in presence is a perpetual challenge.
(Truth be told, the words for this post came in spurts – between making breakfast and doing laundry!)
I think God is asking me to be relentless in my pursuit of presence.
He is inviting me to be awake to the world and the people around me, fully embracing each moment.
Noticing, as opposed to anticipating…what a concept.
This would certainly a be worthy departure from my task-oriented regimen.
I am guessing He will nudge me when the pull of messaging mania threatens to dominate.
God is also beckoning me to spend more time in His Presence.
When I begin my day with quiet moments of prayer and reflection, I do feel an inner peace that imbeds itself into the hours.
Both time and my soul expand as the day unfolds.
I am so grateful to be aware that God is always here, willing and ready to be with me.
His Presence is life-giving, illuminating.
How God will weave presence into my life this year?
I hope to notice every nuance…..
It is through gratitude of the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up. ~ Eckhart Tolle
Do you have a Word For the Year? Please share!
beWARM 
Toni, I enjoyed your message and in pondering on your word “presence” it led me to “embrace”. They go together nicely. Embracing the moments. I too am grateful beyond measure to be aware that God is always present. Love you.
Jeanene
My word to the year is trust.
Thank you for sharing, Jeanene! May we all embrace each moment of every day! Love you, too…..
Thanks for sharing your word, Lynn! And “trust” is so powerful. I hope as the year goes on we can talk about what God is showing us through our words!
I decided that my word for the year is “reflection.” I used to make five resolutions and have picked a focus word for the past couple of years, but this year, as I was thinking, I felt that the same old categories of resolutions weren’t really fitting what I wanted to accomplish this year. “Reflection” came to me in the middle of December, and I think it’s going to be a guiding principle for 2016!
Such a good word, Maria! I am happy you shared it! You have always been a reflection of goodness and love to me – I know that God will speak volumes in His “reflection” to you!!! xo
“Noticing, as opposed to anticipating” – I love this. My word for the year is ‘peace’, to find peace and contentment, and reminding myself to be ‘present’ and not anticipating will aid in finding peace :)
…thank you Toni….my word this year is peace.
“May God Himself, God of peace,
sanctify you through and through”.
1 Thess. 5:23
….and with you sharing….I reflect …’peace in His presence’…..what a way to live…the way He desires….onward into 2016…one day..hour…moment at a time, right? (yes, and that does mean..with doing laundry and bookword.!! lol)…XOOOOX
…that was from me, Frannie! ….