Hello, 2014.

There is something so refreshing and exciting about a new year. It is the time of year that everyone reflects on themselves and decides to try and be a better person, to live a better life. Some may think it is cliche, but I think there is something really great about that. There is something so special about a new year. While I don't think you need to wait until a new year to make a new start, it is still something I like to participate in. I am a goal and list maker, so new years resolutions are kind of a shoe in for someone like me. 

The first thing that stands out to me about 2014, is that 14 has always been my lucky number. It started off in Kindergarten. We were given numbers in class based off of where our last name landed in alphabetical order in the class. That number essentially became our identity in school. It is where we sat in class, our order in which we lined up in a line, you are getting the idea? There was a big 14 right next to my name taped on my desk for years. We even had to put the number next to our names on our home work and papers. For the first few years of elementary school, I was number 14.

When I started playing sports the first jersey I got was number 14, and from then on, I just figured it was destiny. I had the number 14 jersey in soccer, basketball, field hockey, and lacrosse. When I was 14 I got my first kiss, and my first boyfriend. It was also the age I started to really feel more comfortable in my body. You know, the transition of middle school is painful for everyone, all the hormones, the awkward changes. It was so nice to feel normal again, less awkward in my own body! I started high school off fresh, and confident! 

So as you can see, I have this odd relationship with the number 14. So 2014 is going to be special, I just feel it.

In an effort to not complicate things, I thought I would make a very short list of the top three things I want to focus on this new year.

1. SIMPLIFY.

Oh the idea of keeping things simple. I need it, I crave it. Why do we glorify being busy? I want to be more still, more at peace. I feel at times I let myself get caught up in the madness and before I know it I just want to quit everything. I constantly feel like a juggler, trying to manage and maintain an every growing to do list of tasks. It can be a pretty chaotic way to live, and may or may not result in one throwing in the towel on their one day of and binge eating in sweats. So with that said, I want to focus on better organizing my every day projects and tasks as well as prioritizing those things that really matter. I want to create a better flow, and feel less rushed. I need to take one step at a time, and better prioritize. I want to take things back to the basics. I came across this quote via Shelly Smith (love her) and felt it summed it up perfectly.   

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony. There are seasons when to be Still demands immeasurably higher strength than to act." 

2. HEALTH.

The last year I have struggled with maintaining a consistent balance in regards to my health. I really want to make the commitment to treat my body better, consistently. I want to love my body, I want to be healthy. I truly do believe that our bodies are our personal temples given to us from our Heavenly Father. We live in a time where it is almost easier to treat it poorly. To feed ourselves with unhealthy junk and be lazy. I fight this everyday, and I want to truly make a change.

3. LOVE. 

I want to focus on love in all of it's forms. I want to love better in all aspects of my life. I want to better love my life, love myself, love my husband, family and friends. I want to love strangers, judge less. I want to react with love, in situations that aggravate me or irritate me, in the small moments that can often go overlooked. I just want to have my heart open for opportunities to love those around me, to serve them, and become more Christlike. 

So these are my words for the year. Simplify, Health, and Love. Just some things I really want to focus on this year. I thought it would be fun to share these, I know I would love to read yours. So if you want to do a post about the top three things you would like to focus on this year, please link up! I thought it would be fun to read each others and get inspired for our new, fresh start!