A Day in my Life

There are a few people who truly inspire me. One of those people is Ali Edwards. For those of you who aren't scrapbookers, Ali is what you would call a "celebrity" in the scrapbook world. She travels all over, teaching classes at conventions, she has books, and magazine columns. This doesn't impress (although her talent does.) What I find impressive, is who she is as a person. She's very down to earth and humble. (after spending a weekend at a reteat with her this was very evident.) She's a mom who fights many of the same battles that a lot of us fight. She has a son who has Autism. She is fighting for her son, trying to give him the best chances in life. She is fighting for all children, and adults, with Autism, trying to raise funds for a cure. She doesn't let her busy life interfer with her most important mandate ... her son. This impresses me. This truly inspires me. If you want a further glimpse into her life, check out her blog listed on the left. You will be glad you did.

Ali has adopted a word each year for the last three years. It's a word that she uses to focus her life on throughout the year. She has put out a challenge for others to do the same. I've thought long and hard about this, and this year have decided to do the same. I've spent a lot of time over the past few days trying to figure out what that word would be. The one word that keeps coming back over and over is the word

EMBRACE.


So, this is going to be my focus this year. EMBRACE.

em·brace1 /ɛmˈbreɪs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[em-breys] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -braced, -brac·ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug.
2. to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea.
3. to avail oneself of: to embrace an opportunity.
4. to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.): to embrace Buddhism.
5. to take in with the eye or the mind.
6. to encircle; surround; enclose.
7. to include or contain: An encyclopedia embraces a great number of subjects. –verb (used without object)
8. to join in an embrace. –noun
9. an act or instance of embracing.

This year I want to embrace life, and all is coming my way, good or bad.

I want to embrace my children for who they are and the challenges they have and help them to be able to learn to embrace them too. I want to accept the things I can't change.

I want to embrace opportunites that come my way and not just sit back.

I want to embrace a healthier lifestyle (not always so easy for me)

So, this year will be about learning to embrace life, not matter what.