When we used to be fun on the OBX

Previously posted in January 2015 on “The Hogbloggers” site…

After a year of stretching out of my comfort zone, I need a break! Selling a house, moving twice, buying a house, working on an all-consuming political campaign and trying to be all things to all people has been quite intense. 2014 was just crazy fast with way too many plates spinning at once.  As I was getting ready for our New Years celebration with my fellow Hogs I said to my husband, “Remember when we used to be fun?” It was in that moment that I decided my word for 2015 would be

FUN!  Fun in Fifteen is my new mantra. I want to smile more, dance more and encourage others to smile more and dance more. I want to stop and smell the proverbial roses and meet friends for lunch and coffee instead of eating meals in my car. I want to make it back to my happy place (the gym) 5 days a week instead of once a month. I want to spend time at the kids’ school and get to know the kindergartners. I missed those things last year. I don’t regret last year. It was an amazing year of growth and learning and once in a lifetime opportunities and they were all good things. Here is how it’s going to go down in 2015:

If it isn’t fun, it isn’t happening.

No I don’t expect every day to be rainbows and unicorns, but my goal is to look for the silver lining. I am a realist who can turn pessimistic very quickly. I once read on Forbes that optimistic people are happier and healthier.  I don’t know that I can alter my DNA completely, but I do believe I can change the way I look at my circumstances.

Make life more fun for those around me.

Is the lady at the Wal-mart check-out a little grumpy?  I want to say something to bless her and make her smile. How many times have I left a store or restaurant and complained about the service? Who do I think I am anyway? Maybe sometimes it doesn’t have to be about me. I want to be intentional about blessing others.

Create an environment of fun and beauty. 

After so much intensity and busyness, I want to keep a lighter schedule. I want to keep a cleaner house! I want to spend time making my home a more pleasant and inviting place to be. I look forward to planting flowers in the Spring, decorating our new home, planning a fun summer for our family.

Pursue some of the “one of these days” activities I talk about all the time.

One of these days I’m going to learn to sew. One of these days I’m going to read that book I ordered on Amazon. One of these days I’m going to find a new personal trainer. One of these days…

Take one year off from political activities.

For over five years now I have been involved in politics in one way or another. I love America and desperately want to do all I can to preserve our liberties for future generations. However, I don’t know how to do it just a little bit. When it comes to politics I’m either all in or all out. In 2015, I’m out.

I know I will not implement this plan perfectly, but perfectionism is not fun. I am off to a good start so far. Our family is in the middle of an unplanned kitchen remodel (I will blog about that in due time). I would normally be super stressed about the many decisions and the mess and the drama of it all. I have chosen to take it in stride and enjoy this unexpected blessing. Life is too short to let little things steal your joy. Jesus said he came to give us abundant life (John 10:10) and complete joy (John 15:11). I intend to hold on to his promises. Here’s to Fun in Fifteen…and beyond.

Have you ever thought about choosing a word to set the tone for the year ahead? If not, I want to challenge you to think about tackling the year ahead with purpose and direction. How will you be more intentional? 

Eating cake with friends in pajamas is FUN!

© Elizabeth Smith 2015