Sunday, December 30, 2012

My Word for 2013

CELEBRATE

I've thought and thought about my word for this New Year!  It needed to be a really good one...it needed to be one that made me think of all of the things in my life that I have to be thankful for, but I didn't want to use the word thankful...and then Celebrate came into my head and I knew it was the one.  I checked online for some definitions and synonyms...

Part of Speech: verb
Definition: commemorate occasion, achievement
Synonyms: beat the drum, ceremonialize, commend, exalt, glorify, hallow, honor, jubilate,  laudmark with a red letter, memorialize, praise, rejoice, revere, solemnize

Yup, that was exactly what I wanted...that was my word...how could I go wrong with "mark with a red letter"?   2012 was not one of the better years of my life, but it sure wasn't all bad...I learned so, so much from the events of this past year.  I learned about "true" friends...friends that will stick with you even when you're not very pleasant to be around.  Friends that just call or drop a note to say "thinking about you", "are you doing OK?"  Friends that you know it's OK to pick up the phone and just cry if that's what you need to do.  I learned that "true" friends are really the angels in our lives.
I will CELEBRATE friends this year!

I learned that people come into our lives, some stay for a really long time and some stay for just a short time, some leave for a while and come back...they all come for a reason...but where I made my mistake for all of these years was beating myself up trying to figure out what I did to make them not stay for a long time.  I learned to accept the fact that they were in my life...and not dwell...I learned that there are NO coincidences in this life.
I will CELEBRATE always learning!

I learned (well I really knew it all along) that Andy (aka Mr. Quilt Holder/ Mr. Brown Quilts) is the BEST!  He listened to me, he pushed and guided me when I wasn't sure I could go one more step, he made me laugh when I wasn't sure there was a thing to laugh at and then he made me laugh again.
I will CELEBRATE Andy this year!


I learned (well really because I started paying attention) the beauty in the simple things around us every day...I see this camellia bush
every single day when I come in the driveway...I really see it this year.  I see these bougainvillaeas
in our side yard, but they seem so much prettier this year. I see sunsets out my back window everyday

...but it seems so much more magnificent. Or the beautiful full moon off my front porch with that wonderful contrail
...seems brighter!
I will CELEBRATE the simple beauties this year!

I learned that this Howie of mine

is a funny, sweet boy...very full of personality.  He always had been the more "stay to himself" dog...Zack was always the one that needed to know what was going on and where everyone was..well in the past 4 weeks Howie has become very social, wants to know what's going on and where everyone is...and he always knows when there just might be some food around.
I will CELEBRATE Howie this year!

I guess I've probably gone on long enough here, you get the idea...this is going to be a happy year, this is going to be a good year...and it all goes back to that day last month when I had that light bulb moment.  Now there's no doubt in my mind that there will be things that happen this year that will not be all that wonderful, but how I let those events affect me, how I respond, how I accept those events, my attitude and my behavior are all my choice...I learned from that dark time last month that I don't want that to happen again, I don't want to be angry and bitter...I want to CELEBRATE!  And CELEBRATE I will...Happy 2013 to all of you!












49 comments:

Cheryl said...

What a very wonderful post...words I need to keep in my heart and mind and remember. Yes, we have so much to Celebrate, and good friends for sure are right up there. So very well said!!! (hugs)

Diane said...

Sounds like you've been celebrating all along and didn't even know it!

Celebrate is a perfect word for a year. No matter what comes our way if we can find something to celebrate about it, we are better off. If we take time to celebrate the here and now and everyone in our lives, we are better off. Sounds like 2013 will certainly be a year for you to celebrate!

Chartreuse Moose said...

Celebrate sounds like the perfect word! Rough, bumpy years need to be followed by a year of "Celebrate"!!!
Hugs, smiles and sunshine for 2013!

Janet O. said...

Love your word for the coming year, Carol. And I love your perspective on what there is in your life to celebrate. We could all use more of that!

regan said...

What a beautiful post! And I love that synonym.....rejoice! Makes me happy just thinking about it!

Here's wishing you a safe and happy New Years!

sunny said...

Celebrate 2013! What a great word, and you really have done your homework. I hope you have many things to celebrate - both large and small - in 2013.

Angie said...

You go, my friend. The word that chose you for 2013 is a fabulous word. :) I love all of the things, and more, that you plan to celebrate every day of the coming new year. My new word will be FOCUS. I have so little of it...I need so much more of it...I will CELEBRATE my FOCUS. Happiest of New Years to all of us. :D Hugs, dear friend.

Annelies said...

How lucky we are that we will get to CELEBRATE along side of you. Love to you and a Happy and Blessed New Year. XXXX

Karen said...

Beautifully said, Carol. It actually brought a tear to my eye- I for one look forward to celebrating with you- it will be a reminder of how much I too have to be thankful for (and celebrate).

Gretchen said...

A wonderful, joyous post!! Can I celebrate along with you this year? I am ready for a celebrating kind of year also. I hope this year brings you lots of simple pleasures and joys in the every day world around you. And of course lots of treasured times with Mr. Brown Quilts & Howie.

Sherri said...

Just a wonderful word! And a wonderful post!

Gale, Ky quilter said...

So beautifully written! Celebrate - I love it! This post spoke right to my heart. Thank you! I had some very important people leave my life this year - of their choosing - and it broke my heart for months. After an amazing night out with nineteen family & friends last night, I see that the good really outweighs the bad & I too should be celebrating!!!
Happy New Year to you!!!!

Cindy said...

Carol, you have been a blessing to me since "who knows when I "cyber-met" you." I connected with you immediately, maybe because of our puppy love, LOL

I "CELEBRATE" YOU !!!!

Hugs

Cindy said...

Forgot - here's sending Howie some Weimaraner "arts".. I guess the Weimaraners are saying "Happy New Year", doggie style...LOL

Sandra said...

What an inspiring post! I know I will be re-reading this one. Your new attitude is one we should all carry with us into the new year.

Kindred Quilts said...

And Happy NEW Year to you...key word being NEW!

Darlene said...

Wonderful post, my Friend.

Arm in Arm; hand in hand we will CELEBRATE in 2013.

Rita said...

I love your word...Celebrate! I might have to borrow it. Happy New Year!

Me and My Stitches said...

Love this post, Carol. And "beat the drum" has to be my favorite. I celebrate all of my great blogging friends!

antique quilter said...

perfect work , great attitude and I look forward to celebrating 2013 right along with you....
Kathie

Melanie said...

Great post,,,,Howie has your heart just growing.....I'm thankful for your friendship. You keep me grounded and focusing on the things that matter most.....happy new year.

Karen said...

Absolutely beautiful post Carol - what a wonderful word to pick and one that can help you keep on track this year. I've also had a year that was wonderful with some challenges as well. Over the last few months I've been doing some soul searching - no light bulb moment for me - but a quiet realization of what I want 2013 to be - it's full of possibilities and that's my word for 2013. Happy 2013 - Celebrate dear friend your wonderful life

Sharon Dawn said...

I hope 2013 Celebrates the whole year with you!

Stitched With Prayer said...

Oh Carol, Such a wonderful, wonderful post. This post sweet friend, is a Celebration all it's own, filled with wisdom, Love and 'food for thought' for everyone who reads it. I love your posts always, because they are truly straight from the heart...but this one is extra special. I've been in bed with a terrible cold since yesterday afternoon, but I just wanted to pop in and say "Hi" and I'm so very glad I did. Now I'm going back to bed, but with a big smile on my face and wonderful little footprints all over my heart. Sending you BIG BIG HUGS... (germ free cause they are cyber hugs, *wink*)

Carrie P. said...

what a great word and a really great post. We can all celebrate so many things in our lives. Yes, bad things come and go but like you said we can choose how those bad things will affect us. I wish the best year ever.

Kate said...

Sounds like a good plan for the new year. Happy 2013!

Gari in AL said...

I am so glad you had your "light bulb moment." I have witnessed what anger and bitterness, over time, can do to a person and would never want that to happen to you. Celebrate what is good and then celebrate when you make it past what isn't. It really is not what happens but how we react to it. Happy New Year!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Celebrate is a great word! Have fun celebrating the new year, all year long!

Anonymous said...

I must agree that the word is perfect is so many ways. Every day is a gift to celebrate.

Vicky said...

And we shall celebrate you this year, Carol. You're the very definition of the word "grace." Happy New Year!

Cheryl said...

Very uplifting post, Carol. Wishing you a healthy, joyous New Year!

Dirt Road Quilter said...

Well said! What a wonderful way to greet the New Year! Looking at things from a perspective of celebrating opens up a whole new world and adventure lies ahead! I'll be tagging along!

Thimbleanna said...

Happy New Year Carol! It looks like you've had a wonderful holiday season (well, with Sherri's cake, what could be better LOL!) and now, on to a great new year!!!

Kim Brackett said...

I love your word, and I wish you all the best in 2013.

gpc said...

Good word, good plan, and good advice! So true what you say about people coming into our lives, every one comes bearing a lesson and I have too often not heard it clearly because of my own expectations. Have a great year! (nice to meet you, I come to you through Stitchin By The Lake -- hi neighbor!)

FlourishingPalms said...

Hi neighbor! I'm visiting from Stitchin' by the Lake, and enjoyed reading through some of your blog posts. Love your Christmas countdown and ornaments quilts! We're retired too and six months ago made the huge, sell-everything-and-start-over-again move from Iowa to Florida. We're lovin' these 70s temps in the "dead of winter!" Have a happy 2013.

Cindy said...

Stopping about to ask how your "celebration" is going for 2013. And, to tell you that I was thinking of you today, as well as Howie and Zack.
Hugs

Mary said...

Great post. I think your word for the year is the perfect choice.

Margaret said...

Good for you. We sometimes forget In all the busyness of our lives That there is always something wonderful That happens every single day. I hope that you enjoy your celebrations this year. When I used to work, I would have the local flower shop send me balloon bouquets randomly during the month. Balloons always make me happy. So do whatever you need to do to make happy be a daily thing. You will always remember the happiness more if you choose to be happy.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Hi neighbour....just came over from Marlene's post. I love your Howie; we had a female years ago who look so much like him....wonderful dog!

Friendship Crossing said...

AMEN to all you said on your post! I came over from Marlene's 'neighbor' post.
I am happy to 'meet' you!

Great word for the New Yr!

Tanya

Libby said...

I love that your word is an action word! Have a great year!!!!

Jan said...

Marlene sent me!

I love your word, I'll come back to help you celebrate your blog attracting a crazy lady from PA...me!

Celebrate!
Jan

StitchinByTheLake said...

I love your word - I recently read a great devotion about marriage and celebrating it every day, not just on a honeymoon, but really having a honeymoon life. If we focus on celebration we won't have time to get sad, mad, frustrated, etc. blessings, marlene

FabricFascination said...

Happy New Year!

Nice to meet you neighbor. I am visiting from Marlene's blog.

Martha said...

I am already your follower and have enjoyed your posts this last year...the good and bad...and you are right to remind us to CELEBRATE every day...who knows what is coming tomorrow so let's dance today! Hugs for 2012 and hugs for what's to come in 2013!

Teresa F. said...

Hi Carol,
I'm a neighbor from Portugal.
Happy New Year, may 2013 be a great year to you and all your loved ones.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Visiting thru the neighbor'hood' and find your post very refreshing. Luck on celebrating all things in 2013

Nedra said...

What a great word for 2013. I'm with you, lets celebrate the gifts all around us.