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My One Word for 2019

Join me for a virtual coffee date in which I share about the power of choosing “one word” to guide your intentions for the year. Plus, get a close-up look at how I map out my dreams in my planner in order to take action-able steps toward making them a reality!

My One Word for 2019 & How to Create a Dream-Map in Your Planner or Bullet Journal | Join me for a virtual coffee date in which I share my "one word" for 2019 and give a close up look at my planner spread in which I cast vision for the year and map out my dreams and goals in do-able, action-able steps. Here's how I'm pursuing PRESENCE in 2019! And how you can map out YOUR dreams for the new year.

If we could sit down and have a cup of coffee…

…as much as I love me some Starbs, we’d drive a little bit further to that adorable spot with the twinkle lights and coffee tables stacked high with books. They make food from scratch and have all sorts of fancy coffee roasting equipment. It’s inspiring to see people take such pride in whipping up quality-in-a-cup, isn’t it?

Oldies would be playing over the speakers when we walk in, and we’d both bop our heads in satisfaction. Good vibrations indeed.

I’d order a peppermint mocha latte because I still haven’t quite gotten over Christmas. And you’d order your favorite yummy drink right now (you know the one).

We’d sit down in the comfy couches that eat you up like the Audrey II plant eats up…well…everyone (name that musical theatre reference!). We might as well stay here forever, right?

Then, we’d enjoy some catch-up conversation hearing about each other’s holidays. What was sweet. What was hard. I’m learning life is a lot more gray than black-and-white, isn’t it?

If we could sit down and have a cup of coffee today, I’d probably tell you something like this:

“So, this is my seventh year choosing a “word of the year.” One word to bury into the soil of a new year and help it to grow with new intentions, habits, and goals.

It’s one of my favorite practices of the new year–one I don’t plan on giving it up anytime soon–because of how it grounds me.

As you know, dear friend, I’m multi-passionate. I’m an achiever. I’m susceptible to workaholism.

But “one word” tethers my prone-to-wandering self to one idea. One mission. One tree to water instead of the ten I’m drawn to nurture. Because you can’t take care of ten trees well. But one, I can do.”

You’d be nodding profusely through my diatribe, until you just couldn’t take it any longer, and you’d ask me to spill the beans on my one word for 2019:

“Okay, okay. Drumroll, please! It’s…

p r e s e n c e

My One Word for 2019 & How to Create a Dream-Map in Your Planner or Bullet Journal | Join me for a virtual coffee date in which I share my "one word" for 2019 and give a close up look at my planner spread in which I cast vision for the year and map out my dreams and goals into do-able, action-able steps. Here's how I'm pursuing PRESENCE in 2019! And how you can map out YOUR dreams for the new year.

As in “to be present.” As in “wherever you are, be all there.” It was a word we used a lot during my college acting training as a reminder to take a breath and quiet the mind in order to be in the moment (rather than reflecting on what just happened or what was about to happen). It’s hard to do. And I think it’s getting harder and harder in the hurried world we live in. But I feel called to pursue more presence this year.

Presence is now the lens through which I’ll make my decisions–about what to add to my calendar and what to cross out; what to purchase and what to “save for later;” what to pray for and seek after in my relationships, as well as what to let go of because it’s not nourishing my tree.

And already, I’ve experienced its pruning power.

Prime example: when I was tempted to buy a book on Amazon about spending time with God, I was reminded that with a word like presence, no handbook is needed other than The Good Book Itself. Adding another voice to my time with God might make being truly present with my Creator-God more of a challenge. And clickity click, I emptied my cart.

Oh, and another example: I can easily get enamored by everyone else’s new business ventures while scrolling through Instagram, and I find myself thinking, “I could do that, too!” And I start to dream about how my business might grow and change in the months ahead with these shiny new tools and endeavors. But when I hold up these dreams next to my one word and find they don’t help me to seek after presence (if anything they threaten to edge it out), I tell them, “I’ll come back to you later. Maybe next year.” And I feel a weight lifted. Just because I can do something new and fun, doesn’t always mean I should.

You’d heave a sigh that reminds me why we’re kindred spirits. And you’d share about some of the shiny things that have been competing for your focus, too, lately. I always appreciate your honesty and transparency. Maybe it’s the comfort of our cups in hand that invite us to share more openly.

You’d ask me how I chose the word presence…or rather, how it chose me. I’d think for a moment, mid-gulp, and then share this lil’ musing:

“Ya know? I feel like this word, presence, has been a long time coming. Almost like my “one words” from years past were preparing me for it. I mean, it’s no surprise that when you spend an entire year focused on one intention, it’s going to take you somewhere new and change you for always.

Leap. Balance. Surrender. Purpose, not Perfection. Nourish. Rhythm. I see them less as isolated islands and more like steppingstones in a journey, each leading me to the next.”

I’d make a joke about how I’m full of similes and metaphors today, and you’d remind me with a glimmer in your eye that I’m always full of similes and metaphors. {Snicker snicker.} Touché! Conversation is sweeter when poetic devices are involved, doncha’ think?

My One Word for 2019 & How to Create a Dream-Map in Your Planner or Bullet Journal | Join me for a virtual coffee date in which I share my "one word" for 2019 and give a close up look at my planner spread in which I cast vision for the year and map out my dreams and goals into do-able, action-able steps. Here's how I'm pursuing PRESENCE in 2019! And how you can map out YOUR dreams for the new year.

Then, I’d flip to the back of *my new Horacio Dream Planner and share with you my double-page spread where I did some dream-mapping on how I might foster more presence in my life in 2019. You even put down your cup to take a closer look, while I expand on each idea in classic wordy-Lauren fashion:

My One Word for 2019 & How to Create a Dream-Map in Your Planner or Bullet Journal | Join me for a virtual coffee date in which I share my "one word" for 2019 and give a close up look at my planner spread in which I cast vision for the year and map out my dreams and goals into do-able, action-able steps. Here's how I'm pursuing PRESENCE in 2019! And how you can map out YOUR dreams for the new year.

“I chose to highlight a passage of scripture that was probably the most impactful passage I journaled last year…I keep coming back to it. Maybe because it’s so counter-cultural. And so not my natural inclination.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” –John 15:4, 5

An Inspiring Journaling Bible Flip-Through Video of John's Gospel! | "Abide in me...." John 15:4,5
“Abide in me” Journaling Bible Entry | Click HERE for the Flip-Through Video

It turns out that if I want my life to bear the fruit of love, peace, and joy, it’s not about me striving or trying harder to get it right. (And thank goodness because I will fail at that.)

It’s just just about me abiding with God. Enjoying his presence.

And so I want to order my life this year in such a way this year to allow for more presence with God and loved ones.

It’ll require more margin. More rest. More stillness. More reading. More rhythms. More saying “no.” Less screen time. Less mindless scrolling. Less Netflix. Less calendar items. Less boxes on my checklist. Less notches in my productivity belt.

But I feel like I’m on the cusp of a growth spurt as I follow God’s leading in this new direction. Challenging though I know it will be for this Type A recovering perfectionist, I have great anticipation for the fruit that will come out of a year dedicated to presence.

My One Word for 2019 & How to Create a Dream-Map in Your Planner or Bullet Journal | Join me for a virtual coffee date in which I share my "one word" for 2019 and give a close up look at my planner spread in which I cast vision for the year and map out my dreams and goals into do-able, action-able steps. Here's how I'm pursuing PRESENCE in 2019! And how you can map out YOUR dreams for the new year.

1. PRESENCE WITH GOD: I want to spend more time with God without any agenda or focus on the outcome. I want to grow in my delight to just be with Him. And to start to see my life as one long conversation with God instead of “time with God” being separate from the rest of life with all-the-things I have to accomplish.

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

  • Starting my day in quiet prayer and presence with God.
  • Asking God how He will lead me today before planning my tasks.
  • Continuing in Lectio Divina practice of reading scripture using *Jan Johnson’s book.
  • Continuing #LaurensYearWithJesus into 2019 and Bible Journaling through the gospels–not anxious to finish quickly–but instead giving myself permission to meander and linger with what I’m learning.
  • Continuing to practice Sabbath as a family each week and developing some regular rituals to help us move past just relaxation into restoration.
  • Re-reading The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence–a little book I read back in college that feels relevant right now.

“You do the connecting, God will do the perfecting.” –Jan Johnson

Here's a look at my latest Bible Journaling spread where I meditating on what to let go of...and what to take on in 2019! You can see more of my Bible pages using the hashtag #LaurensBiblePages on Instagram or checking out my videos on my YouTube channel, The Thinking Closet.
I even did some meditating on my “one word” in my Journaling Bible.
Here's a look at my latest Bible Journaling spread where I meditating on what to let go of...and what to take on in 2019! You can see more of my Bible pages using the hashtag #LaurensBiblePages on Instagram or checking out my videos on my YouTube channel, The Thinking Closet.
Watercolor letters inspired by @ArdenElise.

2. PRESENCE WITH MARK: Especially as we anticipate the transition from a family of three to a family of four this May, I want to foster more intimacy and presence in my relationship with my first mate.

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

  • Continuing in our rhythms of weekly date nights and quarterly getaways.
  • Connecting with Mark for at least 15 minutes after his post-night shift wake-ups. No cell phone. No laptop. Just being and talking and sharing.
  • Being even more intentional with how we plan our time. Having a weekly family meeting where we look at our calendar, make sure we have our Sabbath and date night planned, and also working in more times of connection together when our schedules are particularly full.
  • Mark can tend to be the adventure-initiator, but I want to grow in planning more outdoor adventures together: bike rides, walks, park outings.

3. PRESENCE WITH THE PEOPLE AROUND ME: I heard a great sermon on Sabbath rest recently by my favorite Bible teacher, John Mark Comer, where he talked about how 80% of loving others well is being emotionally healthy and spiritually awake, which in big part comes from rest. Rest for your soul. Being an introvert, I feel like I need more soul-rest than the average bear as it is…so I’m hopeful that in prioritizing more rest and restoration, I’ll have more energy to be a peaceful and loving presence among those in my circle.

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

  • Deleting the Netflix app from my phone (gasp!) and banning cell phone use in bed…maybe even finding it a new home instead of on the night table. I want to reach for a book instead.
  • Being more disciplined to completely unplug from devices on Sabbath days.
  • Enjoying quality time with our daughter Juniper before (and after) Baby Sister arrives. Life is going to change dramatically in a few months, and excited as we are, I don’t want to wish away the now. I want to take more time to read together, sing together, snuggle together, create together.
  • Enjoying quality time with Baby Sister when she arrives in May. I have some anxiety about the juggling act that will come with parenting two gals and splitting my focus between them, but I think learning to practice presence with the time I do have with them–even if just for a few minutes–will help keep that anxiety at bay. At least, that’s my hope!
  • Fostering more opportunities for presence with our neighbors and friends through hosting a monthly community potluck at our casa.

4. PRESENCE IN MY WORK: At first blush, it’s hard to envision how “presence” and “work” can fall in the same sentence. But the deeper I mine this idea, the more gold I discover. I can tend to feel scattered in how I order my work days. And I’m craving a more regular rhythm to my hours. I think then I’ll be able to more present and focused on the task at hand instead of multi-tasking (and not really getting much done).

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

  • Developing a regular rhythm to my work days and fiercely protecting my “tiger time” (shout-out to Amy Porterfield!) for my big biz dream projects. No more blowing myself off or getting sidetracked with my inbox or social media.
  • Outsource the biz tasks that are energy-draining.
  • Also, I want to be more intentional about batching my work tasks and time on social media since that been a really fruitful practice for me in the past. There are a lot of different projects clawing for my attention. But I think if I can be more fully present with each one in their proper time, I’ll have more joy in the process and create even more encouraging content this year.
  • I want to start using the “Paper…for Writers” app I learned about from Carlos Whittaker to help me stay more focused and present during writing time.
  • More monthly coffee dates…like this one! {Wink.} These newsletters feel like the closest I can get to real presence with my readers despite the screens between us. And I treasure the back-and-forth conversation we can have via email when I receive replies! More of that in 2019, please.” {Psst! If you’re not already on the email list to receive monthly coffee dates in your inbox, sign up HERE.}

My One Word for 2019 & How to Create a Dream-Map in Your Planner or Bullet Journal | Join me for a virtual coffee date in which I share my "one word" for 2019 and give a close up look at my planner spread in which I cast vision for the year and map out my dreams and goals into do-able, action-able steps. Here's how I'm pursuing PRESENCE in 2019! And how you can map out YOUR dreams for the new year.

And I’d thank you for listening to all of that. The simple act of me sharing aloud what has been rattling around in my brain these first weeks of the new year helps inspire me to actually take action.

And then, because I can’t help myself,  I’d ask,

“Do you have energy to hear one more of my metaphors?”

You’d grin. And because you’re awesome, you’d say,

“Always.”

“Okay, so we have a peach tree in our front yard, and Mark gave it an aggressive pruning last week, clipping off several feet of branches. It looked a little bit sad after he was done with it–the branches so short, stubbly and bare.

But then, just a few days later, something amazing happened. Dozens upon dozens of delicate, healthy-looking blossoms started sprouting forth in the prettiest of pinks.

And as I snapped a photo of the peach blossom beauty, I couldn’t help but see the metaphor that was staring me smack dab in the face.

The pruning process is a good and necessary one for all living things. In order to bring about new blossoms, we need to let go of the branches that are draining our energy, dividing our focus, and weighing us down.

It may not look pretty. It may not be easy. Or free of pain. But give it time, and you’ll start seeing new blossoms crop up in all different areas of your life.

And give it a little more time yet, and those blossoms will give way to fruit. Get back to me in mid-May, and I’ll have a juicy peach to prove it.”

"The pruning process is a good and necessary one for all living things. In order to bring about new blossoms, we need to let go of the branches that are draining our energy, dividing our focus, and weighing us down. It may not look pretty. It may not be easy. Or free of pain. But give it time, and you’ll start seeing new blossoms crop up in all different areas of your life." –Excerpt from "My One Word for 2019." Read more about the power of choosing one word to guide your intentions for the year, as well as get a close up look at how I map out my dreams so I can take action-able steps toward them!
New blossoms on the peach tree in our front yard.

And so, if we were sipping yummy drinks together, at the start of this new year, these are the sorts of things I’d share. And I’d thank you for being that safe person with whom I can spill my hopes, dreams, and struggles. I’d thank you for the gift of your presence as I seek more presence of my own.

And then, I’d ask you this:

“What about you, friend? Have you chosen a word to guide you this year? I’d love to hear about it!”

Action Takers:

Jump into the comments section below and tell me:

1) the yummy drink you ordered on our coffee date
2) your “one word” or one goal for 2019
3) one action step you can take in the week ahead to go after it

Make it small. Make it do-able. And comment below.

Because I’ve learned that the act of writing out our goals and sharing them with a friend adds lots of fuel to our fire to take action. And I’d love to be that friend for you just as you were for me. So, what ‘cha waitin’ fer? Spill the coffee beans!

This is Lauren, signing off.

Where to go next?

Curious to read posts on my past (and future!) “one words”? Here are a few rabbit trails for your hopping pleasure:

If you’re curious to check out my 2018 Year in Review and why this has become such an important practice for me each year even before choosing my “one word,” click HERE for the inside scoop.

2018 in Review: An Exercise in Gratitude | Before we set our goals for the new year, let's get our hearts in the right place by conducting a "year in a review" spread in our planner or bullet journal–so we can foster a heart of gratitude for the gifts last year brought our way...even in its hardships, unmet goals, and squandered time. Here's the how-to and the big WHY....
Click HERE to check out “2018 in Review: An Exercise in Gratitude”

*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Thinking Closet may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping to support this site!

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8 Comments

  1. Oh, this is so powerful and encouraging! As you rest in His presence, you bless all those who are in your presence. Thank you for your unusually beautiful hospitality and taking time to plan and be present with those in your midst.

    I am starting to review 2018 (even though we’re two months into 2019) and have chosen REACH as my word (keeping in mind that ROOTS in Him and His Word is necessary to stretch and go beyond my comfort zone. Praying love and 1000 blessings from the Lord over your life and your growing family.

    1. So grateful we had the chance to be present together this past weekend! And I love your one word for 2019! Such a powerful visual. May God be your source of strength in this season of stretching, growing, and reaching new depths and heights! I’m excited for what’s to come. Thanks for your support as always! Your faithful prayers mean more than words can ever say.

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