Thursday, January 3, 2013

My word of the year

JOY

still my favorite picture of myself  :o)


I like this new trend to pick a word of the year. Resolutions always seem to be forgotten by February. Especially if you have more than one. Listing your goals can become overwhelming and disparaging. The idea of choosing one word is much easier and in a way, more profound. It sits like an umbrella over everything you do and can make all the difference.

I'm choosing JOY this year. I'm writing about it here so that I can remember and hold myself accountable.

A few years ago I realized I had issues with anxiety. I had always been a "worry wart" but was able to manage. At this point it was becoming harder to deal with it myself so I decided to take the route of medication. This was a huge step for me as I've always had a hard time with taking any sort of pharmaceuticals. Even Tylenol for a headache. I would wait it out and deal with it rather than put some chemicals into my body. But at this point in my life I realized that it was necessary. My children and husband were suffering because of my anxiety. The meds worked and I revelled in my new outlook on life. It was like waking up. My family survived my anxiety.

Only a few short months later I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. 2010 was full of surgeries, treatments and Dr's appointments but I was in good spirits. I was blessed with an overwhelming sense that I would get through it all okay. I mean, I knew it wasn't life threatening but it still turned my world upside down. Again, we all survived.

2011 was a different story. Regulation synthetic thyroid meds is not an easy feat. 2011 was supposed to be the year where I was "better". No more thyroid cancer = back to normal. That sense of well being was gone and I struggled to find a new normal. Paired with my anxiety there were lots of ups and downs. By the end of the year I was starting to feel better physically and emotionally but life had caught up with us.

Between hospital bills and a failing economy my husband and I faced some hard decisions. We lost our home and struggled to pay the bill. 2012 opened with a feeling of hope. That was until Feb when my husband lost his job. Seriously!? One thing after another and we stumbled our way through the year.

Don't get me wrong. We had lots, LOTS of miracles and blessings along the way. So many things to be thankful for. Life is like that. Full of ups and downs. That's why I picked this word for 2013.

My children are growing up so fast. My marriage is still in the younger years (13!). I'm not quite middle-aged. I have some amazing things in the works with my little business. I have a life to live that should be filled with positivity and not gloom and doom. There can be JOY in everything- you just have to find it. Sometimes it shows up on your doorstep without you even expecting it. Other times you have to dig in the cracks for a tiny glimmer. This year, in spite of what life may throw my direction, I'm finding JOY.

28 comments:

Chris said...

Great word selection and I wish you my heartfelt best. I love quotes and thought I'd share on:
“joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.”
― Khalil Gibran

Danih03 said...

Wow you don't know how I needed to hear this. My husband has been laid off most of the year and we are so close to losing our home that I am starting to lose sleep with worry. Thanks for reminding me I still have a lot to be thankful for.

Linda said...

Thanks for your post. Here is wishing you a wonderful 2013!

Jacqueline said...

May you continue to look at life with the JOYUS eye you have been. You are a lesson to us all.

Beth said...

My hubby is out of work too. I have been really stressing about family finances. Thank you for sharing and reminding me to celebrate the joy.

Pokey said...

Thank you for your deeply personal share. Truthfully, the last 2 years were really tough for us, and we are still fighting to hold on to our home...the economy is miserable, my honey's health has been at issue, too. But, JOY is one thing we can claim, especially when we continue to list blessings. A loving family is at the top of the list! I'm with you, and hope this is a year that we all can see the shine of joy in our journey.
:-}pokey

Cheryl said...

This was a wonderful post to read.....it says so much to all of us about hanging in there, finding the positive and looking forward. My wish for you and your family is a wonderful 2013 full of lots of Joy and happy things. (hugs)

Barbara said...

Thank you for sharing your very personal and inspiring journey. It is a great reminder to appreciate everything that I have in my life. Wishing you much health, happiness and joy in 2013.

Anjeanette said...

How timely! I just put up a post about my one little word. Last year I only did it in my head with the word Joy(oh the things I do in my head). This year I jumped in and chose enjoy because it still encompasses joy but is a little bit more.

It was interesting to read about all your ups and downs. I always imagine successful bloggers to have such perfect lives. You are mow much more real to me;) Thanks for sharing.

Linda in Calif. said...

Awesome post. I love your word for the year. And it is so true, you can find joy if you look for it. It seems these past few years have been hard on many of us. I hope this year is much easier for you.

JEllen said...

This post reminds me of one of my favorites songs from Bible class. When the days and nights were very dark with our precious Sarah in the hospital, I would sing it to myself:
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart Down in my heart Down in my heart I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart Down in my heart to stay And I'm so happy So very happy I've got the love of Jesus in my heart And I'm so happy So very happy I've got the love of Jesus in my heart

and it gave me just enough peace to make it through the night.

Hoping your 2013 will be filled with joy!!

Maureen said...

You are one remarkable lady! Blessings to you & your family.

Nancy said...

My joy today is finding this post...I so needed to be reminded of what you so beautifully wrote! My hubby has been out of work for health reasons since Nov. 2010 and I am living with an incurable form of leukemia. We are hanging in there financially (now noticing a much larger strain) and I have sacrificed most of my personal fun; but am thankful for a very nice quilting stash and nice pile of books I have accumulated from trips to Goodwill. Our problem is emotionally...hubby has become very bitter this last year and is not fun to be stuck home with. I sought therapy for as long as I could, and it was a great; but have had to stop because I cannot put that extra financial burden on our budget. She used the words...."don't let anyone steal your joy" each day, yet sometimes I can allow him to make me feel very depressed and lose my desire to do things like quilt. My New Year's resolution is to try and regain my joy on a daily basis. Thank you for sharing your story.
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Cheri C. said...

AMEN.

Sarah said...

You deserve JOY. I hadn't realised you'd had such a rough couple of years. I can sympathise with anxiety. I've experienced it for about 10 years and find I need to take medication to enjoy life more fully. And my husband has been retrenched twice in our 12 year marriage. Thankfully he has retained and found permanent work. But in Australia we have not quite experienced the economic woes that you poor US guys have. I hope things straighten up for your family soon. I know you will find joy in all that you can.

quiltmom anna said...

May you continue to find joy in life's daily gifts- It was a gift that was shared with me from a friend who had ovarian cancer- during her last days,we had some times together we enjoyed tea and conversation. I remember those moments with joy.
Life has not been kind to you and many of the previous commenters. May we all continue to find ways to find life's joy.
Thanks for the inspiring post.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Darlington Delights said...

Thank you for this inspiring reminder that we can find joy in every situation.

Meg said...

So glad to know you have found the inner strength we all possess. Life has a way of throwing some pretty terrible things our way (have been there)and,we come out smarter,stronger and prouder knowing we can get through anything. Keep on Keeping!! Happy, Healthy, Joyful New Year Wishes. Go get 'em girl. Meg

Yvonne said...

And I hope JOY it will be for you and your family this year. You deserve it! Hope it will be a great year for you, I admire you positivity!

MaterialGirlQuilts said...

Emily, what a wonderul and heartfelt testimony. I'm so glad that you have CHOSEN JOY this year. I pray that God blesses you and your family like never before in 2013. Thanks so much for sharing.
Amanda

Shelley said...

Aren't blogging friends great! All these wonderful comments brings hope and joy to me too :) My situation is so similar to yours. I'm glad you shared...I think as quilters and bloggers we need to share more...so that we can be hope and support for each other! You have survived alot and it's been hard, I know, but girl, you grab your JOY and run with it lol!

Cindy said...

What a great post Emily. Joy is a perfect word of the year. I look forward to reading joy throughout 2013 on your blog. On a side note, my DIL had thyroid cancer in 2012, since she found out I have heard so many people have been diagnosed with it.

Martha said...

Thank you for sharing about your life. When I read your blog, all I ever see and feel is JOY! You brighten many a dreary day. I sincerely hope that your word for the year perfectly describes how it all comes out.

Jenny Wren said...

Emily - may 2013 be pure JOY! Sounds like you deserve it!
Hope to see you at the SLMQG meeting Thursday next week.
Head high, smile your beautiful smile and know that you are an amazing inspiration to others!

Cindy Sharp said...

Choosing Joy is a wonderful gift to yourself and your family. May there be more and more days in which it is easy to find.

carla said...

Hi!!! Yaa!!! Joy!! I like your word of the year!!! Remembering joy will be back always helps during hard times!!! Wish you the best of everything!!!

Keri F said...

Emily, I will pray that your family has a prosperous year with many, many good things for each of you. You have worked hard to hold it together and I understand a little of what you are going through with anxiety and job loss. They can be fierce things to overcome. I'm sending you good wishes and prayers for a happy 2013. Thank you for sharing. Your blog is a delight.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Wishing you a VERY joyfull 2013!!!