Create a Theme for Your 2009
Instead of making a new year’s resolution, how about setting a THEME for your new year? Choose a theme that reflects your assignment for this particular time of your life. Your THEME can be applied to many areas of your life and will allow some freedom for failure and the excitement of surprise.
Your THEME is not random. It may be balancing out your previous year or it may be something you see God is leading you towards, or you might see a new direction emerging. For example, maybe 2008 was hectic and frazzled, so your THEME for 2009 might be Rest or Quiet. By focusing on Rest, you allow yourself to sit, to say “no” to a request, or go to bed earlier. Your health and spirit will be renewed and your life will be more fulfilling.
Maybe there is a need in your life for friends, better health or de-cluttering. Be positive and use words that will help you take action. For example, instead of having a theme of Making Friends, choose Be a Friend. That implies taking action that will most likely lead to connection with others.
Some THEME ideas to get you thinking - Simplify, Adventuring, Health, Move my Body, Write, Surrender, Laughter, Paint, Savor the Moments, or Discover my Passion.
Take the following steps to identify a THEME for 2009.
Step 1
- Picture your life being richer because of your attention to your theme
- At the end of 2009, what will make you smile as you look back over the year?
- What is your assignment for this particular time of your life?
- Is there a way 2008 needs to be balanced?
- Ask God to give you direction in selecting a theme.
- Write out several themes that seem to emerge from within. Give some thought to how they might be carried out in your day to day living. Is it a theme that can be realized in your ordinary routine as well as jump start you to try something new?
- Select your theme. Embrace it. Be excited about it. Write it on several cards and place them in strategic places to remind yourself about your 2009 THEME. For example, place THEME cards on your bathroom mirror, over your kitchen sink, on your computer, hanging from the rear view mirror in your car, and wherever else you look frequently.
- Give yourself permission to evaluate your theme quarterly. Is it still a good path for you? If not, change it. Or, recast the vision - how will it make your life better having allowed this theme to be carried out in your life?
Diane O'Connor says:
Hi Betsy~
Love the idea of a theme for the year!
Right now I’m think mine needs to be “ORGANIZE!!!!” There’s plenty of room for success as well as failure in that one for me . . . but getting at it with a vengeance this year would really have me smiling by 2010!
Love you~
Diane
Annette Miller says:
Hello Betsy! Great idea choosing a theme–Mine would have to be Pursue Peace. I love that Jesus said His peace He gives to us, not as the world gives. Here’s to a prosperous, focused, fun, organized (per Diane), fabulous, joyful, hope filled, PEACEFUL year full of LOVE. A year that brings Jesus the honor and glory!! Blessings and thanks for sharing!
Kathy Butryn says:
Hi Betsy…
I agree with Diane…love that idea. I think mine is FOCUS! Love your blog!
hugs,
kath
Grace Sabarus says:
Betsy, this page really reflects your theme. I am still waiting to be inspired about mine as I try to translate what God is doing with me into a theme. Thank you for thrilling. Happy New Year!
Teresa Gilbert says:
Hi Betsy:
Congratulations on your new ‘birth’ of a blog!!! It’s great — and I love the theme for a new year. I always set goals in each of the domains (physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual) but I also love the idea of adding a theme. I think mine has to be Discovery. I need to hone some things, create some things, let go of some things, and in the process, discover what things are priorities that God is leading me to pursue. So Discovery it is! Happy New Year — you’re a blessing!
Rachael Roy says:
Hi Betsy! Thanks for your email. I think my theme for this year is Deeper Relationships.
2008 really got me thinking about some things…. many of my close friends are now working since their kids are all in school now or so committed to helping out at school, I never see them. Finding a time when they can get together with me is almost impossible. I really feel like I have been in an “Empty Nest” type of thing with my friends this year. Although I still love my friends, I desire to develop some new deeper relationships in which I am held accountable and grow with a couple new friends.
In 2008, I learned to spend time in “my tent” with God. I have really found it enjoyable and enriching, and I look forward to growing in a deeper relationship with God in 2009 too.
Finally, I want to focus on a deeper relationship with my husband, my kids (continuing the open-dialogue we seem to have even as they are starting to become teenagers). I am also going to spend more time with my mom. I gave her a coupon book for Christmas entitled “Dates with Your Daughter”. She’s taking back the other things I got her, but my coupon book made her cry!
I thank you for your idea of a “theme” for 2009. It really helps me put the priorities I want to pursue for 2009 into perspective. Happy New Year!
Laura Wingfield says:
Hey Bets!
I love your idea of a theme…but, as always, I want to pick to many! Love a buffet! If I were to focus on a them, I think it would be to ….. Focus on the Purpose! Does that make sense? You know, we always put all of these “good things” on our plate. More is better, right? Sometimes I think if we would simplify and stick to what God has called us to do, and not what everyone else wants us to do, we would live a less hectic life, one of purpose. And, I truly believe if we are living our life on purpose for God, living out our calling, we should be living a life of joy and laughter, and in relationship. Anyway, my thoughts for this very moment. Love you much! Had a blast the other night. Need to do that more! Have a great New Year’s day!
Regina Gibson says:
Hey Betsy-
I just love this new blog. It’s so “you.” I think my theme for 2009 will be “New Beginnings.” This fall I completed my MDiv at Southern Seminary, so this will be the first time in my life that I have no homework. Also, I will be investing some significant time in writing and living simply. Just like it is nice to have a de-cluttered home, it is good to have a life that consists of the most essential things. I will be teaching God’s Word with new perspective I think. I’ll keep you posted on other new beginnings too. I love you. Think of you. And would LOVE to have you visit us here in Nashville…maybe we could go to a concert together or something fun like that. Hope to hear from you soon-
Sue Thompson says:
LOVE THE BLOG. My theme revolves around getting my thoughts out there. Becoming a thought leader. Writing-writing-writing, creating a blog, a podcast, perhaps a blog radio show. My theme for the year is FULFILL. I’ve got particular gifts and I will remind myself that they have been given to me for a reason–to fulfill them. How this plays out will be something for that thing I do so well: observe my life as I live it!
Janet Jones says:
Betsy,
2009 will be all about Transitions for my youngest son and me. He moves to middle school and I move from PraiZone (Children’s worship) to something unknown, since I must serve with him. God has given me a heart for special needs children, families and those that support them. I’m not sure what this year has in store, but I know God is in it and we will be better for it. Still, I need to remember not to worry or try too hard to control. Instead, I need to put my faith in God and lift up my concerns to Him.
My theme for this year will be “Faith Lifts” which reminds me of what I need to do AND puts a smile on my face.
Carol J. Smith says:
Betsy,
How beautiful and bright just like you…a shining testament of creativity! I love your idea for a theme ~so fun!!! Aha, truly I have to think about it and pray for a clear vision but for now I will say…”SHALOM Adventures.” For me this means we experience peace in God’s presence’; we are filled with His love and joy; we have completion in His grace. As I updated my life plan, my goals were targeted for health, inner peace and completion. We get to be active in serving Christ and others through speaking, teaching and coaching. I am looking forward to some great new adventures and traveling across the U.S.A. and beyond to Jamaica for His Kingdom. This is my time for completion of my Masters in Ministry Leadership through Rockbridge Seminary. This is God’s time for each of us to shine brightly. My prayer is for each of us to be abundantly blessed with God’s grace for an awesome eternal life now. I love you, my incredibly gifted friend and inspiring leader! CJS
Susan says:
The theme that comes to mind is ’succeed.’ Succeed in: losing some of this excess weight; decluttering; reaching our goal of reading the Bible through this year; hearing God’s direction for some very important decisions we’re facing.
Tracy Hemsath says:
WOW Betsy!!! This is amazing! Your creative spirit really shines through with this blog! I will add this on my favorites list and continue to check back for more inspiration. What a gift this is to us. Thank you for sharing it and allowing me to be a part of it!
I will have to give more thought to my theme for 2009… too many choices…
Bianca says:
Incredible piece of work!! Love it! You’re such an inspiration! My theme for the year is to FLOURISH! I felt God speak this to me at 4 different times last year, in two of those times he sent two different ladies to me with a heart pendant and on the heart there stood FLOURISH! Can God be any clearer? For me it is to choose life in every area of my life - thoughts, disappointments, stuckness, choosing to move forward and hope in Him
Betsy Ringer says:
Bianca - Oh how I love your theme - FLOURISH!! Isn’t it fun when God shows us something in such a fun way? Choosing life - choosing moments, experiences, joy, and next steps keeps us alive in abundant life. Thanks so very much for sharing!!