Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Change?

My friend, Alison, has a word of the year. Instead of making a list of resolutions to try and fulfill, she chooses a word to live by for the year. Last year her word was 'Believe'. This year her word is 'Courage'. I had been thinking of what word she would choose over the course of last week (before she posted it) and it made me think if I had a word for the year, what would it be?
I came up with a phrase. 'Be Fit'.
But was that right? Each time I say it or type it, it just doesn't seem to be exactly what I'm thinking of.
As I was running this morning, I started thinking that maybe that isn't what I want my phrase to be. Maybe I want it to be "Be Strong". So let me type and think about this at the same time.
I checked dictionary.com and it says fit means: 

1. adapted or suited; appropriate: This water isn't fit for drinking. A long-necked giraffe is fit for browsing treetops.
2. proper or becoming: fit behavior.
3. qualified or competent, as for an office or function: a fit candidate.
4. prepared or ready: crops fit for gathering.
5. in good physical condition; in good health: He's fit for the race.

So then I went and checked what the definition of strong is :

1. having, showing, or able to exert great bodily or muscular power; physically vigorous or robust: a strong boy.
2. accompanied or delivered by great physical, mechanical, etc., power or force: a strong handshake; With one strong blow the machine stamped out a fender.
3. mentally powerful or vigorous: He may be old, but his mind is still strong.
4. especially able, competent, or powerful in a specific field or respect: She's very strong in mathematics. He's weak at bat, but he's a strong fielder.
5. of great moral power, firmness, or courage: strong under temptation.

So if I go on the definitions of what dictionary.com gives me - my choice is clear. BUT. When it comes to my faith, do I want it to be fit or strong? I think of, "Stand strong and immovable..." and "Be strong and of a good courage..." Will being STRONG withstand the powers of Satan long-term or is being FIT more enduring? Hmmmm.  These are all just thoughts going through my head.
But then I think of the World's Strongest Man competitors. They are SUPER strong. (Like, sickly huge muscles and able to do things that are crazy - imo.) But would they be able to endure a long-term fitness test? Someone who is strong has muscles, to be sure, and can lift heavier things than someone who is fit. But how is their heart? Would their heartrate increase dramatically in a 10k run whereas someone who has been training for it can withstand the pressures such a run bring? (Obviously I don't know anyone that strong or I'd have an answer to that question.)
As I think more and more about it. I think being strong is where I want to be.  I want to be strong and immovable in my faith - Spiritually Strong. I want to be strong in my health - Physically Strong. I want to be strong in my finances - Financially Strong. I want to be strong in my relationships - Personally Strong.
So - my new phrase is Be Strong!
Thank you, Ali, for making me think twice about the phrase I chose. (Smiles!)
I'm super excited about it now.

3 comments:

Julie@My5monkeys said...

what a great word for the year. I hope that you can accomplish all that you can to be strong.

Millie @ The Busy Butlers said...

LOVE it! My word last year was Simplify. Trying to think of one for this year still...

The Haley Family said...

great job Natalie! I chose about 5 different words before I felt it stick to me! :) You will BE STRONG!