One Word, One Year: A Fresh Take on New Year’s Resolutions

As the New Year approaches, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past year and contemplating changes for the year to come. The tradition of crafting New Year’s resolutions is often met with enthusiasm but quickly becomes overwhelming. Long lists of goals, though well-intentioned, can be difficult to sustain or even remember by the time February rolls around. What if, instead of detailed resolutions, you chose a simpler, more focused approach?

Imagine starting your year with just one to three carefully chosen words. These words would serve as your guiding principles, your mantras for navigating the days ahead. This minimalist approach makes your resolutions more memorable and also helps align your actions with your faith.

Words That Reflect Your Journey

Choosing your words requires thoughtfulness and prayer. Reflect on the areas of your life where you seek growth or change. Perhaps you are striving for more gratitude in your daily life. The word "Gratitude" could become your anchor, reminding you to thank God for His blessings, both big and small. The verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 comes to mind: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Or maybe this is the year you aim to cultivate a more positive outlook. In that case, the word "Positivity" could guide you. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to focus on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

If your aspirations include working diligently in your personal or professional life, consider the word "Hard Work." Proverbs 14:23 reminds us: “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Let this be a year where you put your hands to the plow with determination.

Bringing Your Words to Life

Once you’ve chosen your words, consider pairing them with one or two Bible verses that resonate with their meaning. Write these words and verses somewhere visible—on your mirror, in your journal, or as a background on your phone. Let them become a part of your daily rhythm. When challenges arise, these words can remind you to stay grounded in your goals and in God’s promises.

This approach to resolutions is not about perfection but about intentionality. By focusing on one to three meaningful words, you are setting yourself up for a year of purposeful living. Each time you reflect on your words, you’ll be reminded of God’s presence and guidance in your life.

A Call to Action

As you prepare for the New Year, take some time in prayer and reflection. What are the words that God is placing on your heart? Write them down, meditate on them, and trust that with His help, you can embody these principles throughout the year. Let’s make this year one of clarity, focus, and faith.

So, what will your words be? 

Here are some of our latest picturesque holiday moments for your viewing.

 

 

(Ayden plays the goalie against Jace's "knuckle puck" shots.)

 

 

(The family poses before the Christmas Eve service at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church.)

 

 

(Annabelle actively participates in the family Christmas Eve with singing and dancing.)

 

 

 

(Annabelle unpacks her Christmas stocking filled with goodies.)

 

 

(Jace continues his tradition of hugging blow-up decorations at my parents' house.)

 

 

 

(My family poses in front of the Christmas tree at The FrankTown Festival of Lights in Franklin, Tennessee.)

 

 

(Jace tries on his new snow boots, which were among the presents given by my parents.) 

 

 

(Jace enjoys the many moving ornaments on Grandad JayJay's Christmas tree.) 

 

 

(Like Jace, Annabelle often hugs blow-up Christmas decorations.)

 

 

 

(A close-up photo of my family in front of the Christmas tree at The FrankTown Festival of Lights.) 

 

 

 

(Annabelle enjoys the train that continually circles the Christmas tree at Grandad JayJay's house.)

 

 

 

(The cute couple at Christmas time.)

 

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A New Year to Resolve Our Ambitions.…One Step At A Time.

(Annabelle learns to walk. She, indeed, has Daddy wrapped around her finger, hence the typography on the shirt.)

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

James 4:13-15 (NIV)

With each year that passes, I try to absorb a meaningful phrase or word, such as “Grace,” “Practicing Thankfulness,” or “My Very Best.” Then I set reminders in strategic locations to remember this theme, to reflect upon it, and to thoughtfully pray on the chosen phrase. This year I picked “One Step” as my personal mantra for self-improvement. I possess a tenacious personality with many goals every year, seeking to accomplish more in my life. I often focus too much of my energy on the future, rather than living in the present.

My daughter, Annabelle, has recently been learning to walk, one step at a time in stride. In fact, she is so fast that I sometimes run after her to catch up. The challenge to go faster and faster consumes her attention while physically walking on her own. I try not to get so caught up in future ambitions that I forget to enjoy the process of watching Annabelle grow up and learn to walk. As I grow older, certain seasons seem to pass more quickly than in previous years. Therefore, I seek to stop, absorb the feelings in front of me, and marvel at the wonderful pleasures and experiences of the current moment.

One might even say I try to stay focused on the bigger picture where these small moments represent the best blessings experienced. This principle is especially remarkable when I share them with the individuals I care most about, this example being my daughter. Like a walker that an elderly person might utilize, Annabelle tends to prop herself up against a standing toy with wheels. This object serves to assist her in this learning process to walk. She is now almost independently balancing herself without assistance. Occasionally, she falls forward or backward, flat on her booty. Then I applaud her efforts in hopes that she will not cry, and in unison, we yell “Boom!”     

Annabelle’s learning process reminds me of how I believe God wants His followers to view life. Rather than thinking about too many days or too many months, God desires for us to enjoy Him now in our current moment. I often pinch my arm to remind myself that I am here in this minute of this hour. One might think of this habit as my own applied mindfulness to intentionally focus on the now. I hope you can relate to my “One Step at A Time” mentality as I seek to improve my own mental health and psychological focal points. Today is the best day to live in my special moments! I would say the same for you, the reader.    

If you have not already written down your New Year’s resolutions, I would encourage you to pick a phrase or word as I have done. I recommend that you use these words or brief quotes to focus on an area of your life you hope to improve for your betterment, including mental health and spiritual reasons. When the end of 2022 approaches, perhaps we will be able to appreciate the current moment in the presence of the people we most cherish. Together we will learn “One Step” at a time.

Please reference some of the pictures below of Annabelle and Lisa from this past holiday season. We focused on each day to remain present in the new memories we cultivated together.

(I love my wife’s many kisses!)

(Annabelle thinks, "This cornbread is so tasty I cannot shove it into my mouth fast enough!”)

(Annabelle thinks, “Cornbread is my favorite!)

(Annabelle says, “I love jumping! This toy is like a sit-down trampoline.”)

(This wood rocking chair has been in my family for a very long time. It is a natural fit for Annabelle!)

(My Grandma CeCe hit the jackpot when Annabelle received a plastic kitchenware and a microwave as a Christmas gift.)

(I wonder how she will react when I buy her a real microwave for college. CeCe might be onto something here.)

(Annabelle learns to play the piano. She is musically talented just like her father.)

(Family picture at City Hills Church after the Christmas service in Knoxville, Tennessee.)

(Downtown Knoxville is decorated for Christmas. This is our decorative family portrait.)

#daddydestinations #daddy #dad #blog #family #DaddiesAndDaughters #destinations #memories #story #narrative #inspiration #JamesCartee #Christmas #MerryChristmas #lifelessons #NewYears #resolution #resolve