Know Who You Are: My Word For 2012

I believe it is important to know who you are.

To be able to look in the mirror and face up to the good the bad and the ugly.

So it is with this self knowledge that I have made an important decision.

I've chosen a word.

One that sits comfortably on my shoulders,

but not so comfortable that I don't know it's there.

I want it to shine bright for all the world to see.

I have never chosen one word before to use as my focus for the year.

It always seemed too confining.

And I could never find one that seemed to fit.

But this year I wanted to give it a try.

I've been thinking about it for awhile.

Back on Dec 31st, I even threw out a few possibilities on Facebook.

Fearless was an early favourite,  but I didn't like that "fear" was a part of the word.

I also tried out Awesome for a positive spin on the year,

and just for a moment... Cake was also a contender, but for obvious reasons, was not in my best interest.

I thought about Focus, but again it was too open ended.

I wasn't completely happy with any of them.

So I figured once again I would live a wordless year in 2012.

I've never been one to jump on a bandwagon anyway.

But it just kept bugging me.

For some reason I wanted to find that illusive word.

And sure enough after letting it sit on the shelf for a month,

I've found one that I am thrilled with.

Finish.

You see I am a great starter.

I love to start things! 

But for some reason, I never seem to break through that tape at the finish line.

If we're looking for an analogy of my life here, I think this one might give you a little insight:

The race starts and I begin at a good pace,

checking my pulse with an eye on the road.

But about half way

I start swatting at the bees,

and wishing I had bought new batteries for my iPod,

and tying my shoelaces,

which of course I need to step off the trail to do. 

And while I'm off the trail I figure I may as well try to find a water fountain.

And then I can't help myself and I start smelling the flowers,

while down the trail, I buy an ice cream at the ice cream truck,

which then reminds me I need to buy more milk, 

and maybe some cheese bread.

And before you know it,

I'm standing in my kitchen wondering why I'm wearing a headband 

and melting ice cream is sitting on my counter.

And the race?

It ended two hours ago, short one racer.

This race of which I write?

I place my feet on the start line, each and every morning.

So you see, I am very excited about this word Finish.

It is going to be my mantra.

It could possibly change my life.

If I Finish all the things I start this year,

I could very well end up having to change my name to Martha Stewart Aniston PDub FlyLady.

Plus the tag line on this blog would have to change to 

It's an Orderly, Clean, Beautiful Life and I happen to live it.

I know,

You may end up hating me.

But I'll have to take that risk.

Funnily enough,

the one thing I have never e.v.e.r. had trouble Finishing.

was the food on my plate.

It is now time to take this great skill and apply it to all areas of my life.

So with this last thought,

I will Finish this post.

Grete Waitz 

For every finish-line tape a runner breaks - complete with the cheers of the crowd and the clicking of hundreds of cameras - there are the hours of hard and often lonely work that rarely gets talked about.

But don't you worry... I definitely plan on talking about it.

Welcome to 2012 my friends!

Over and out at Bungalow'56!

xoxo,

The Letter "K"