2013 One Little Word - DARE

I know.  It's April and this is the first time I'm mentioning my word for 2013.  It's also the first time I've blogged since the end of 2011.  Let's just say I've been busy, and I'll fill in some of the details as we go along, ok?

As I was saying.  My one little word for 2013.  I chose it right around Christmas of last year, and it's been a pretty fun word to guide me through the year so far.  

My 2013 word is DARE.

Merriam Webster defines the word in the following ways:

• to be sufficiently courageous
• to have sufficient courage
• to challenge to perform an action especially as a proof of courage
• to confront boldly 
• to have the courage to contend against, venture, or try

This is SUCH a perfect word for me at this time in my life.  And in the past 3 months and 2ish weeks, I feel like I've stuffed some pretty good proof points under my daring belt.

I trained for and completed my first 5K.  The sense of accomplishment I have around this event is so awesome.  I've learned SO much about myself through the preparation, and now that the first race is done, I'm not only setting my sights on other races but bigger challenges for myself.  I've already told the Little kid that she's doing the next Color Run with me, and she enthusiastically asked when we were going to go to the track to start practicing.  I love her and love that I get to set this example for her.

I've taken a couple of day trips with the Big and the Little that were fairly last minute and not at all structured, and those days have been some of the best of the year so far.  I definitely want to allow time for spontaneity, as it felt like it was missing from my life for awhile.

I'm getting ready to take on a big outdoor project and return the backyard to a cozy place where people actually want to hang out vs. just the place where the dog poops.  I'm going to make the dreams I've been dreaming of a reality over the next 2 months.  Here are some of the dreams:

I'm still in love with this color.  I'm also going to stock the patio with a bunch of bright-colored wrought iron furniture.  I'm going to start hitting up yard sales and stalking Craigslist for deals, as I've found one chair so far.

And I am making this happen.  Sadly, the only thing that happened in 2011 was a new retaining wall.  But as I usually do, I plan giant projects against a party deadline.  Emily's 6th birthday is the party, which means I have about 2 months to get it shaped up and I won't mention the other 4-5 small(er) projects I hope to accomplish in that time frame as well.  Good thing I still love coffee.  

I've also dared to spend more time on me.  Surprisingly, this has not been in the paint room as one might expect, but outside - running or walking, in my kitchen - trying LOTS of new foods (thank you Pinterest), or with friends.  Can I just pause here to say how much I love my friends?  I do.  This might seem really silly, but I have applied my one little word to my friendships, and it's had the best and sweetest payoffs.  I've dared to spend more time with the people that I love.  I am trying to not let busy schedules get in the way of staying connected.  I think in the past I've often taken the "let people come to me" approach or I've just let life and "busy" get in the way of seeing people as much as I would like. I've dared to be more pro-active in reaching out, emailing, calling or making plans.  It doesn't always work out, but at least I try and trying feels good.  I've also found that trying can reduce the time in between seeing one another and it often opens opportunities for more texts, emails or calls that might have otherwise slipped by.

There are a few other things cookin' as well, but if I spilled them all here, what else would I have to write about as the year unfolds?  Let's just say, I've made a list of things I want to do and not only am I trying to check things off of the list, but I'm adding more things to it as time goes on.  For example, while sitting in church today, I thought, "I should look into singing lessons - I've always wanted to be a part of the choir, but I get too distracted and want to sing all of the parts instead of the one I should hold."  So I'm going to investigate signing lessons.

I am daring to live as big as possible.  Daring to smile as much as I can.  Daring to not sweat the small stuff (although I still struggle with this sometimes).  Daring to think big, and act big.  Daring to be my own cheerleader instead of deterrence.  Daring to stretch my arms wide to wonderful possibilities and embrace the good, sweet stuff of life.