"JOY"

Well, a year down, a new year just begun.

What a year it has been. So many wonderful things that have happened and all have been such a blessing to me and my family.

It is always fun to think back on the year and reflect on all the things that have occurred. One thing that comes to mind every time I think of this year is Ben receiving the Priesthood. That has really had a hug impact on all of us. I have seen such a change in Ben. He is more thoughtful, calm, understanding, and caring. I know he know's what a blessing and responsibility it is to have the Priesthood.

There are so many other wonderful things that have blessed my family and me, I could sit and write for hours. But I'm not. I want to take the things that have touched me and help me grow and mature and apply them to my new year.

To start I have taken on a new tradition for myself. I got the idea from a blog I recently stumbled upon just a few months ago. This women, every year, picks a word or a small phrase to use as a theme for her year. It is just for her. So this year I am going to try it myself. I am always up for anything that will help motivate me and try things that will help me to move forward.

So my word for 2011 is, "JOY"

I choose that word because as I reflect upon this past year I tried to think about what I could have done better, or how could I have improved my year. Sad to say I found my self wishing that I could have had more personal joy in my life. Don't get me wrong, I am happy and grateful for what I have, but I needed to "find joy in every journey." There were many times that I caved into stress or peer pressure or let those around me bring my down. I had a conversation with my sister recently and we were talking about how it is so easy to let people and things around us affect our own personal joy. for myself I saw that as a weakness and I didn't like that.

So, here's to myself, I am going to have "Joy" every day and see the "Joy" in all that I do. When I think of the word joy I think of the Conference talk given by Pres. Monson a few years back. He talked about "finding joy in every journey." That is my all time favorite quote. It is true. I am always telling my kids that they are in complete control over their own reactions to everything. I will hear them say " you make me so mad" or " she made me sad" I am always quick to say " you decided how you feel, no one else." Well it is time I listen to myself and stop letting my surrounding affect me.

So here's to 2011 and "JOY"