One Little Word in 2012

Sometimes I come across a blog that really inspires me. 
Some blogs inspire me to be creative, while others give me inspiration for making our house a home, and then some just simply inspire me.  Elise's blog inspires me in the simplest of ways. I don't really know how to describe it, but it just does. I discovered it a short while ago and can't wait to read what she has to say.  

After reading this entry of Elise's, I was especially inspired to pick one little word to carry throughout my life in the new year. 

The first word that came to mind almost immediately was 
SIMPLE. 

I came across this quote a while back (I believe it's from Mother Teresa)

"Live simply so that others can simply live." 

This quote really struck a cord with me and I have been aspiring to live that way ever since.  Well, I think 2012 is the year I am going to really and truly make it happen! 

There are so many physical "things" in our lives that we can live without, sure they're nice to have, but they're not necessary to our survival. I really want to rid our lives of so many "things" and just get back to the basics.  

I want to buy less and give more. 

I want to own fewer things and free up our time to give to others. 

All of these "things" are really just that, "things" that clutter our home and our minds. I want to leave more space for relationships and simplify our lives and our home. 

I want to free myself from all of those physical "things" that I once thought were important in my life and concentrate on what is really important in life: quality time with family and friends, achieving dreams, living a healthy lifestyle, being content with the few things we do have, and helping others! 

2012 is for realizing how blessed my life is. We have a roof over our heads, food in our fridge, stable jobs, families that love us, friends that make us laugh..and the list goes on (all of which we are not nearly deserving of, I might add). We are healthy and happy and have everything we need. 

I am hoping in this new year I (and if my husband is reading this, I mean WE) can learn to live with what we have (and hopefully less), and that our long list of "things" we want will dwindle down drastically. 

I really want to hang this where we can see it everyday.

Have you made any resolutions for this new year?  Instead of a formal list of resolutions, I opted to choose a word.  It's a lot less daunting than a long list of things I feel obligated to check off throughout the year...feel free to give it a try too! 

We hope your new year has started off well!