stretch
Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 2:02PM 
i am the one that puts myself in the corner.
puts limitations on what i think i can accomplish.
settles for less than what’s really desired.
procrastinates because of fear.
stays on the safe side.
guards my heart with a tight fist.
controls instead of leaning on faith.
i do all those things and more.
i love what ali said when she said…
”essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you)
that has the potential to make an impact on your life”.
it looks like this is something she… and many others have done for years.
choosing a word for the new year.
i love the idea.
a pin point… a reminder… a personal campaign of sorts.
after some thought…
i kept coming back to one word.
a word that covers much for me personally.
a word that can even stir up some uneasiness.
”a word that has potential to make an impact on my life”.
i need to… want to… STRETCH.
my comfort zone is nice… but if i never stick my toe out… how will i know?
if i always keep the shell on my back… i will never truly feel.
no one is going to do it for me…
i know that… i do…
i think though with each passing year…
a realization of how important… how true that really is… settles in.
so here i am…
sharing my word.
with a bit of “shoot… i am really putting it out there”…
but…
also with a lot of… eagerness.
i know it will evolve to get more specific… my word… and what it all means…
but the word itself is speaking to me right now… i think “it chose me”.
STRETCH.
to me means…
to grow.
to allow for more potential.
to throw caution to the wind sometimes.
to believe.
to push a little more.
to reach higher… reach further.
to hold out my arms wider.
to rise up and out.
to believe.
to open my heart.
to leap even if i do not yet see the landing.
here we are with a whole New Year right under our feet.
a whole new opportunity.
it’s here to embrace… wide open with possibilities.
have you given thought to the New Year?
have you set any goals?
any resolutions?
a focus word maybe?
anything you’ve been wanting to tackle… accomplish… let go of even?
i would love to know.
so as i am STRETCHing… i can think of all of you too.
Reader Comments (27)
Wow, what a powerful post. I am going to think, think, think about my word for the new year. Several are popping up in my mind but I haven't found the right one yet. This is fun!
Oh sweetie... I can always count on YOU! Thank you for starting my NEW YEAR on a great NOTE... sure do LOVE you... Happy New Year ! xO
Love your word. Now thinking of mine. I'm writing this as I sit in the magic kingdom. At this moment I wish I would have chosen the word shut... as in my mouth...just for the day only. Ate way too much. Congrats on your blog nomination. Going to vote.
Preach it, sister. What a wonderful, mulit-layered word...
I'll share mine tomorrow :)
what an awesome post! and a wonderful word stretch is!! It is SO important to keep growing and evolving each new year...each day really. thank you for this beautiful reminder! Happy new year to you..
Ali's post got me thinking about a WORD too - and I'm still trying to find the right one -
Yours is a great word - I love how you define stretch - how it scares you a bit - how it has the power to change your life. Words carry much power don't they??
What a great choice! I saw Ali's post, and Nancy's from The Goat and the Kid, a while back and had been pondering a word for myself ever since. I finally landed on Listen. I think that word, and all the focus that will bring, will have a big impact on my year. Can't wait for it to get started! Happy New Year!!
i really love this idea...i think the simplicity of it is so powerful. i am going to open myself to discover my word for the new year and really challenge myself to live it.
love stopping by your blog...it is truly one of my favorite places to read...i always leave inspired.
thank you for sharing...happy new year!
rebecca
Can I share your word? You hit every one of MY nails on the head. I think I will just borrow it while I look for my own~by stretching outside my self-imposed walls. Thanks for the inspiration!
Beautiful and a little scary! I am not yet brave enough to wander out of my comfort zone. I will look to you for inspiration and perhaps my CREATE year will lead to a STRETCH year! Happy New Year! I'm so glad we found one another again!!!
I just finished my post on the New Year and I guess I have created a word (of sorts) too and mine is, "to be a better me." I just want to be different, changed, more like Him on this night a year from now. A deep desire and cry of my heart.
So maybe I can remind you to "stretch" and you can remind me to just gosh darn it "be better" when we start reverting to old behavior.
Deal?
Awesome!!! Thanks for the inspiration.
All the best in 2010 Carissa...it's been awesome meeting you through your blog and now on facebook. Keep stretching!!!
Oh that is a great one. I too have been thinking of a word... still have yet to find it! I'm sure it'll come though!
ps... My sweet Grandma surprised me with those awesome pillow shams you emailed me about for Christmas.. So excited! Thanks again!
Oooo that is such a great word! I like it a lot. I know you can do it! I look forward to seeing what that stretch brings!!!
Oh, I love it. Great choice! Happy New Year!!
cheers to you sweet girl. i am simply holding myself accountable. not a chosen word so to speak. simply a direction. i am so proud of you. thanks for always knowing what to say and how to say it. i am so happy that you are in my life!
love your word!
i too gave myself "words" this year to live by. three simple words that should they truly encompass my motherhood, faith, marriage, business and self then i feel i can be at peace.
my words are: simplify. focus. enjoy.
take care! xoxo
My word for the year has not chosen me yet. lol So we shall see. But, yes, I have specific goals in mind that I would like to achieve this year.
HERE'S TO A FUN AND CREATIVE NEW YEAR AND TIME TO STRETCH!
B
this might be my favorite of all your posts. your writing is so...vulnerable. i highly value vulnerablity. your word choice seems to fit perfectly. i'm also chosing a word, but my choices were of the "typical" list; believe, love, joy, ...
I ended up chosing BE. but alas, i must still blog about it. i better get on that!
but back to you. great post. great insight. i can't wait to see how STRETCH affects your year!
Carissa I love your word. It sounds just perfect for you. May you have a triumpant year of doing just that. Stretching to the full potential of what God has for your life. Blessings to you this year friend.
It's a wonderful word...it has such opportunity for all things. My your stretch high my friend.
xo,
LuLu
i am waiting for my kids to go back to school and then i will have a bit more clear thinking...to set goals...make plans...choose a word....THINK.
i love stretch.
good good choice.
happy 2010.
I needed to hear (read) this... I've been struggling with the concept of a whole new year and the expectations that I could conjure up, and am fearful of. But one word? I think I could handle that.
it is "in embracing what's new,
different,
and stimulating to the senses
that forces growth
and emergence."
good luck as you stretch... i think it's an awesome word for the year!
I like your word, and at the same time am scared of your word as well. God has already shown me in some areas where HE is planning on stretching me. While excited, I am scared and want to stay in the corner. I really like your word, as it is so applicable to me. Thank you for stretching yourself to share something so personal. See, you are already on your way!
Love your chosen word! I can imagine such possibilities with it! What an exciting year 2010 shall be!! :) Right before Christmas I decided my phrase for the New Year would be "Live in the Moment"...it seemed to come about as I was thinking about my granny, whom had just turned a sweet 89yo and how each moment with her is so special and is to truly be treasured. I thought about how sometimes she might forget things and how in the beginning we so wanted to correct her or help her to remember...and, how I just want us to all "Live in the Moment" with her each day, cherishing every second...for it doesn't really matter if she remembers every little detail. Goodness, she went out with us to see The Chipmunks movie and stayed up til after 1am with all of us...I hope to be as sweet and sassy as her at 89yo!! And, my word for the new year is BREATHE...I want to learn to just BREATHE...feel less stressed, feel more relaxed...oh, there is so much that can come about from this wonderful word!! So, here's to our words, phrases, and the many things we hope to accomplish in 2010! May it be the most "tealightful" year!! Hugs, A~M
that's a great word and i can totally relate to that. i do the same thing to myself. i hate to take risks, i rarely try anything new and if i do i'm trying to talk myself out of it from the start. i tell myself i'm not good enough. i believe it.