Hey all you beautiful people!
I am starting something new for 2009 and I would love it if you joined me in whatever way you would like to.
Here is my plan: I am going to set twelve key word goals for living the kind of life I want in 2009.
I am talking simple stuff here (no 40 mile marathons, I’m not that disciplined!): Things like trying to add more beauty every day, create more ambience in my home, living a life of contentment, nurturing an attitude of gratitude in my family, incorporating goals for healthy living, focus on financial freedom, creating a welcoming home, organization, practicing regular solitude and quiet times — nothing too complicated or out of reach!
Each week at home I will incorporate as many of the goals to every day living as I can, but will also focus intently on the particular goal for the month. My blog will continue with its regular content, but I’ll share ideas and inspiration for the 12 months of goals from time to time.
Because I had so much fun with Friday Holiday Linkies, I’d like to keep them in the new year. But instead of Holiday Linkies, they will be Beautiful Life Linkies. Every Friday there will be a Mr. Linky where you can link up posts showing how you are striving for the life you want at your own home.
Everyone may have different ways of making life beautiful at home, so it will be fun to be inspired each week by how you all are trying to savor the life you have. We can all go about this in any way that works for you. Or, feel free to just be inspired by others and not participate. Totally up to you.
Friday Linkies will be up each week so we can keep ourselves focused on the positive traits or goals we’ve set. And, by sharing our journeys together I think we can get to know each other better and be an inspiration to others. If you don’t have a blog you might want to set up a journal at home to record the positive steps you make each week.
Does this make sense? Remember, I am moving tomorrow so my brain is a bit fuzzy (shhh…don’t tell my hubby I am in here talking about living a beautiful life and not CLEANING with him, heee hee hee!).
I really want to start this year off fresh and focused on living a beautiful life. That doesn’t mean an expensive or perfect life, or setting unrealistic resolutions, just living a life that is intentional on finding contentment and beauty every day. So often in the rush of life we miss out on what is really important. This is my way to keep myself enjoying life everyday with no regrets.
Here is the plan:
The first step will be setting 12 goals for living the life I want in 2009. I’ll share those with you (below) and you can either use mine or set your own or just enjoy the inspiration others will share.
The second step will be looking at the 12 goals and seeing how many I can fit into my week right from the very beginning of January, paying particular attention to the specific month goal as we go through the year. Little successes are all I am hoping for!
The third step if you want to follow along is to share the positive ways we are creating the life we want. We can link up posts through Mr. Linky or in the comments on Fridays. You can use my focus word or use your own.
The end result:
Hopefully by the end of 2009 we will have formed some new habits and feel all twelve goals were a regular part of our life.
January:
Balanced Living
I think balanced living will set the right tone for the first month. It is usually the word I think about in January! I want to spend the month of January looking at my 12 goals and finding small ways to incorporate them right from the start. I think living a balanced life is really important and the key to being successful in all the other goals I will have.
Here is the complete list as it stands now!
January: Balanced Living
February: Ambience (finding beauty every day)
March: Organization
April: Solitude (regular quiet times)
May: Family
June: Healthy Living
July: Financial Freedom
August: Contentment
September: Routines
October: Hospitality
November: Gratitude
December: Giving
Looking forward to sharing 2009 with you all!
Our first Beautiful Life Linky will post on January 9! If any of this is confusing, I’ll try to clear it up by next week. Feel free to ask questions. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
photo: HGTV
What a great idea…love all the inspiration
Thanks and good luck with the move tomorrow 
Happy New Year!
Love this idea–thanks for putting so much thought into it. Good luck with the move. If you have a chance–pop on over to my blog for a give away!
Beckys inspiring blog post..Give Away Goodies
Love this idea! I’ll definitely follow along, and hopefully participate on occassion too. Happy New Year to you!
Jamie @ Purposeful Pursuits inspiring blog post..There’s A Party Going On Right Here
I think this is a GREAT idea! If I can make it past “Balanced Living” I’ll be happy, LOL!!
My best wishes for a wonderful, successful and happy new year (and a stress-free move!). It’s been a pleasure to “meet” you this year.
laura @ the shorehouse.s inspiring blog post..A melancholy post.
This is a lovely idea! Hope all is going well with your move and Happy New Year!
Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolatess inspiring blog post..Would You Like Dessert With That? ~ Dump Cake
Good luck with the move. I can’t even think about such a thing. I have nightmares about having to move again. HA.
I’m anxiously awaiting your new linky project.
- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wifes inspiring blog post..Party Food
Oh, I’m praying that you have a wonderful, stress-free move!!! My heart is with you as I’ve done this countless times over the past dozen or so years
! May God bless you on this new adventure!!!
!! I’ll be joining in the linky’s for sure!
I just love the words of the month that you’ve chosen. I’ll have to incorporate that into my 2 chosen words for the year “Peace” and “Purpose”! I had no idea that others were choosing words for 2009 goals this year. It think it will help me focus, and live a better life! Love this
Stacey @ The Blessed Nests inspiring blog post..Happy New Year, Indeed!
I am praying that your move goes smoothly! What a way to start a new year.
Laura Ingalls Gunns inspiring blog post..A Friday Freebie to help get you organized in 2009!
inHappy New Year Melissa!
Wonderful idea to have a new goal every month!
Such a pleasure to have met you in blog land and so glad we connected on Facebook too!
Hope we can have a cup of jo…the next time I am in your area…
Blessing to you in the New Year!!!
Good Luck with moving!!! That’s a big job;0
You may need a getaway after your done! Right?!
Hugs,
Kay
kayellens inspiring blog post..Looking Back
What a wonderful idea, and love your list, I know I will be soaking up all your wonderful ideas to help me along my path. Thanks I can’t wait to be touched.
pams inspiring blog post..Chaos
I’m SO there!! What a great list!! I will participate as much as I can!!!
Hope you have an easy move and Happy New Year!
~Tidymom
Tidymoms inspiring blog post..Happy 2009!!
I love this! I have recently found your blog and I am so glad that I did!
I’ll be hooking up with Mister Linky and sharing my goals as well! Can’t wait to see how the year develops!
Megans inspiring blog post..And we have a winner…….
I love your idea for 2009 and plan on participating.
Have a great 2009!
Peggy
Peggys inspiring blog post..HAPPY NEW YEAR
Perhaps this is too specific, or perhaps it falls within one of the items on your list, but for me personally, I mean to make 2009 better for me by improving personal communication, giving snail mail a new chance. My grown daughter (who lives 7 hours away by car) and I decided that if we don’t make the effort to write notes, send cards, even postcards, there will be no family memorabilia in the future. Texting and e-mails are great, fast, in this day, almost necessary. But nothing compares with a personal note. Might fit in balanced living or maybe simply — and oh, so importantly — family. Happy New Year and let’s all be hopeful about 2009.
Once again, you’ve set the standard. I’m looking forward to being deliberately focused on these goals. Thanks!
Merediths inspiring blog post..Quintessential Pleasures
Brilliant Melissa, but Hey Pastor’s wives are known to be incredibly smart…no brilliant! Love this idea and I think it is great to set the tone for the year! It is like bumper pads for big people! Blessings, praying all goes well, smoothly and peaceably for you!
Debbie
Debbies inspiring blog post..Organizing Roundup! Yippeeee!
I can’t wait to join you in this! I never have any real motivation for the cliche “I resolve to run 3 miles 4 times a week” type resolutions. However, these way of phrasing it leaves it open to interpretation…feels much less constricting. I can’t wait to see the ways that God has changed and grown me at the end of 2009! Thanks for helping me set some goals that matter!
Hugs…dana
I love it!! My husband and I are both working on lists and when we are both done, we are going to sit down and compare our goal lists. I love how you have done this. I especially want to work on my quiet time with the Lord, organization and financial freedom. Count me in. Good luck tomorrow. Will be praying for you guys.
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
LeAnns inspiring blog post..HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
What a great idea~
Susie Harriss inspiring blog post..Happy New Year and a Winner!!!
I never thought about doing a word a month. That would be a good idea, as there is always so many areas I want to grow in. I look forward to staying connected and inspired for the new year.
Gayle at Mountain Momas inspiring blog post..Lilic in White
Oh my gosh – I just adore you Melissa!
I LOVE this idea. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.
It’s just what I need. How did you know that? *gein*
I’ll start thinking about my twelve words and will absolutely do this on Fridays.
Mavens inspiring blog post..New Year’s Cioppino and Living Fabulously in Ways Both Big and Small
Happy Fresh Beginnings in so many ways, dear heart! I know you have a huge amount on your plate right now, so I pray that you will be able to achieve your first goal of the year, balanced living!
Truly, Melissa, you have been such a blessing to me in so many ways. I am so glad that we “found” each other in the very, very big world which is the internet! What are the odds of that happening? And yet, somehow, I believe that we somehow find the individuals who will have the greatest influence on our lives. You have taught me so much about living a more beautiful and inspired life. I know that I will continue to look towards you throughout the coming year for more wonderful ideas.
You will always be my dear BFF.
With big hugs and lots of love,
Debbie
DebbieWs inspiring blog post..It’s a Dog Life
Oh yes, I do hope that your move went well and that you are coming out from beneath all of the boxes!
Hugs,
Debbie
DebbieWs inspiring blog post..It’s a Dog Life
I absolutely love it. The linky thing will be so much fun and help keep everyone on track. Good luck moving.
sounds like fun… and inspiring… and possibly challening. Can’t wait to see how it goes… maybe a little blog button with a link to your posts would be fun to spread the word?
K
Kims inspiring blog post..resolutions
Great idea for inspiration!
Pams inspiring blog post..Good Times
What a fantastic idea. You’re awesome. Count me in.
Happy new year!
Lisa from celebrate CREATIVITYs inspiring blog post..Where Women Create
Melissa,
What a great idea! Count me in!
I have an award that I would like to pass on to you if you don’t mind. It is a little different from other awards and I think it speaks of you perfectly. Would you hop over to my blog when you have a minute to pick it up.
Blessings
mary
marys inspiring blog post..Making Lemonade from Lemons-
Simply beautiful.
Always good to start the new year with a plan and what a plan it is. Can’t wait to see how everyone interprets the themes.
Pearl Maples inspiring blog post..Sky Watch Friday
Sounds like a great idea to keep every one on track……i will have to learn more about my computer, however, since I am computer illiterate. Im embarassed to say my blog doesnt have all those cool bells and whistles other blogs do, because im computer illiterate……i dont even know how to link lol! I promise i will work on it for the new year….happy new year!!!!
CatHerders inspiring blog post..any last words???
Wonderful list! I would love to participate as well!
Melissa- would it be okay to us the graphic you have “A beautiful life”
When I post or talk about your Friday’s beautiful life Mr. Linky?
Hope you are moved in- and had a warm bed to crawl into-
Hugs
Happy New Year! What a great list. Would love to join in.
Dear ms Melissa – happy New year and ……
Just want to let you know – you never cease to be an inspiration.
God bless, hugs and love to you beautiful lady
FelicityXOX
girl look how organized you are! I love your monthly goals and how you are going about this! You are amazing!
The Nesters inspiring blog post..5 Steps to Enjoying your Home to the Fullest
What a great idea – I look forward to following along your journey.
Melissas inspiring blog post..2009 Blog Awards
What a great idea! I’m looking forward to coming back on Friday!
Delighteds inspiring blog post..Fresh
I’m definitely. It seems like so many of us are on this authentic living “page for 2009. Here’s to us making this year authentically beautiful.
Nickys inspiring blog post..It’s a Beautiful Life ….
This looks like so much fun!!
Just realized I spelled labels wrong on my last comment… how embarrassing!
http://elislids.blogspot.com/
Hi Melissa, today it,s Sunday, reading your blog and the comments on it have been very inspiring . I thought I was organised, but I slip badly on the Kitchen, simply because I have lots of friends popping in , mostly because,they need a bit of peace in their day.so,my kitchen gets untidy . Solitude I have ,and I do cherish this . Contentment, I have most of the time but there are areas that I wish I could be brave enough to change and make better.