Back in late April, I witnessed a young lady die and it hit home very hard. Due to the circumstances, I almost felt as if I was seeing myself in this young person’s shoes. Early in the morning, the young lady went to work, as she did everyday Monday thru Friday. But by mid afternoon, she was gone.
As a ICU/ED/trauma nurse of 16+ years, I have seen hundreds of people die. I have learned how to deal with those deaths very well. But this one young lady’s death shook me to the core. Within minutes of her passing, I thought back to the chemo room, when my chemo buddy and I worked on my life list. I had over 1300 things that I wanted to experience in the time I had left on this earth. And now, I had been given 6 more years cancer free and I had done only 5 things! Pathetic. Perhaps a slap in the face to my chemo buddy and others, who had unfortunately succumb to cancer and it’s grip.
I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t breathe. So what’s a woman to do? Why, wake up your husband of course! Even at 2 AM. I told him that I needed to change some things, and that my life was not going in the direction I wanted. I’m sure he thought I was having my period or had watched some late night inspirational infomercial. But I had changed.
Within a month, I knew he had listened. He had surprised me and designed a blog for me, as a belated Mother’s Day gift. He was (and is) my greatest supporter. He has made me business cards, tries to surprise me with activities from my list, and asks everyday, “What’s next?” Great man.
And so the journey has begun. I have done over 20 things in the last 6 months. Some small, some big. But it’s a start.
In reflecting over the past 2 weeks, I have decided on my word for 2012. A simple, little word to keep me in check, as I strive to accomplish my goals and suck the marrow out of all that this wonderful life has to offer.
Intentional. I want to live with intention.
A month ago, I read an excerpt from a former staffer of Oprah Winfrey’s. He said that when he worked with her, nothing she did was an accident. Everything was intentional. That struck a chord with me. She’s done ok with being intentional. Right?
I want to be intentional in accomplishing my 39 things I want to do before I turn 39 on November 20, 2012.
I want to be intentional and accomplish over 100 more additional things on my life list.
I want to be intentional about my health goals. No excuses. Do it.
I want to be intentional about cultivating my relationships with my family, friends, and neighbors.
I want to be intentional about recording my family’s stories.
I want to be intentional about homemaking and creating an organized life.
I want to be intentional about modeling a heart of service to my family and others.
I want to be intentional about exploring this world.
I want to be intentional about saying no.
I want to be intentional about being grateful.
I want to be intentional about how I spend my time.
I want to be intentional about surrounding myself with people who build me up, encourage me, and challenge me to be a better person.
I want to be intentional about my personal relationship with my heavenly Father.
I want to be intentional about laughing everyday no matter the circumstances.
I have already intentionally made some changes. I went to part time at work this past month, with a plan to hopefully quit next summer. I stepped down as a girl scout leader, room mom, and team mom for the first time in 8 years. And you know what? I’m so happy with those decisions. Those activities and relationships brought me great joy, but they have all run their course, and I’m done. And I’m beyond happy with those decisions.
A new path is being forged.
I would like to encourage you to adopt a word for this coming year. Please feel free to join in on a class I’m going to take, called One Little Word by Ali in 2012. I have a feeling that this word is going to teach me a lot this year, and I look forward to the growth.
If you already know your word, I would love to hear it!
Blessings my friends – Jenny
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Comments
Brenda Wilson
You are amazing! Thanks for sharing your 2012 OLW. Intentional is such a great word. This is my first time visiting your blog. I’ll definitely be back. Your December Daily album is gorgeous, those cupcakes look wonderful, and such a great idea to share your progress through your list. Enjoy the holidays and have a great 2012.
Jenny
Thanks Brenda! I’m so stoked for my word this year. And I’m loving my December Daily album this year, as it’s my first year to add this tradition to our family.
Nirupama Kumar
This is so beautiful. I had tears in my eyes while I read this and my husband was looking at me like a crazy person from across the room.
Thank you for sharing.
Jenny
Thank you so much. And I wake my husband up at 2 AM often, so he’s always looking at me like a crazy person. He’s adjusting.
Kimberly
Found you through Becky’s Blog this morning. Wow. Such an amazing story you have, and continue to document! Way to go!
I took Ali’s OLW class last year. It was amazing. I haven’t picked a 2012 word yet (2011 is ‘simple’), however I’m sure, as last year, it will just fall in my lap.
Jenny
I like simple. I think I have been trying to simplify many areas of my life, so that I can do what really matters. So glad you stopped by Kimberly!
Christy
This is so interesting. I’ve been thinking about the same word since May. It just came to me, and I think about that word all the time. I think I will have to make it my word for 2012, and that word is Fortitude. Thanks for sharing your story and inspiring me.
Jenny
Wow, Christy. Fortitude- what a great word that I hadn’t even considered. I really look forward to hearing where that word takes you. Keep me in the loop.
Sammy G.
I had been following Ali and wanted to start both Project Life and One Little Word! One Little Word will start a little later for me but I know what I want it to be and it is: Determination. I grew up and still growing up with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (since the age of 2, now 24) and I am determined to not let it define who I am even though I have some trouble here and there and know that it can get worse as I get older, but it won’t stop me from doing what I want to do. Thank you for such an inspiring place!
Jenny
You will so LOVE project life! And I’m certain that I’m going to enjoy the OLW class as well. You can never go wrong with a class offered by Ali. She’s fabulous.
And you are right, don’t let it prevent you from living life. You are not RA, you are Sammy. Blessings.
Niki Estes
I found your blog this morning through Becky’s blog as well. I absolutely love the video you and your husband made. Who is the singer and the song? It’s perfect for your video. What an inspiration you are! Thanks so much for sharing your story and good luck with completing more activities on your list.
Jenny
Thanks, Niki. Jeff and I had a blast making that video. The song is Another Day by Pomplamoose. You should check out their Yootube videos- they are awesome. Nataly’s voice makes me smile.
Julie
Jenny,
I too found your blog from Becky Higgins and am touched by your story.
I am inspired to make a list. I hear about making them but never had, for a million reasons but I think that should change.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Julie
Jenny
Thank you so much, Julie! Do make a list. And don’t be afraid to start small and add as you go. And also take things away if they don’t appeal to you any longer. The great thing is that it belongs to you, so go for it. Would love to see your list if you ever put one together!
KatieK.
another one who found you via your dancing on the mall via Becky’s blog.
I love filling my blog reading time with inspirational real women so I have subscribed to learn more about your journey.
My word this year is/was Revive. My new word (which I look as becoming part of a sentence with Revive vs abandoning for it)is Walk. Walk as the activity but also to come along with, to do vs just say, etc. Hopefully my walk this year will revive some goals and projects I have had on my list for awhile.
Jenny
Hi, Katie! Welcome- I look forward to getting to know you. And your words- well, I don’t know which I love more. I had considered revive, but walk is new to me. I love it and look forward to seeing how you use it to accomplish your goals and life list. Blessings!
KatieK.
Thanks Jenny,
Walk has already influenced me. It pushes me out the door to walk with it, walk more with dog, sons, etc. Yesterday to walk to vent some stuff and leave car far from mall madness. Yup, it’s here to stay. Looking forward to exploring our worlds and words together at BPC, etc. Kt
Angie@Echoes of Laughter
Hi Jenny,I found your blog through Becky Higgins 12 videos of Christmas. I came here and I am so inspired Jenny! I love your list and I am so inspired by your 52 cupcakes project! You go girl! I think I would like to try 52 cupcakes too! I don’t even know how to pipe icing on cupcakes, but hey, I am going to learn. And I have always wanted a pair of snowshoes and I am going to ask my husband for a pair for Christmas! Thanks for a great reminder that life is about ‘doing’! I have done December Daily albums for the last 2 years and it is such a great project! {You can see it on my blog} Take care sweet Jenny! Merry Christmas!! Angie in Edmonton, Canada…the great white North! XOXO
Jenny
Thanks, Angie! I look forward to looking at your December Daily. Right now I’m working on Project Life.
So glad you enjoyed the video and the cupcakes so far have been insanely delicious!
Lori P.
Hi Jenny,
Yep, I found you through Becky Higgins blog and through your video that your hubbie submitted. I loved it. Weird… but I also liked it that I found another cancer thriver. I went on that tour this past year and it is so nice to find blogs to read of people who have been there too. I love the idea of your “list”. I think I will just have to start mine. Thank you!! and yep, I am a follower now – or will be as soon as I submit this and sign up. Have a great & merry Christmas!
Jenny
Congrats Lori! Glad for both of us to be on the other side of that journey. I like the word thriver, it sounds much more intentional. Glad you are going to start your own list. I’m looking forward to this journey.
Michelle Kelly
Hello Jenny – love your video, love your blog, love your project life and love your take on life! You are an inspiration and a fabulous reminder to enjoy the here and now in life. I too will be doing the OLW class in 2012 and my word is engage – I plan to engage more fully with conversations with my husband and kids, engage more with my extended family, my work mates, recording our life and living our life! Just added your blog to my daily visit list. Thank you!
Jenny
Hi, Michelle. Thank you very much for all the nice compliments. Engage- I love that. Even though it feels like I’m more engaged with extended family because of social media, often many people still feel left out. Personal is still preferred and I’m working on that as well. Glad to have you follow along on this crazy adventure.
cindy b.
I am adding your blog to my favorites. I just discovered it via Becky after watching your video (which was BEYOND AWESOME by the way!!) I look forward to getting to know you throught your blog – based on the video alone I just gotta say…YOU ROCK!!
Jenny
So glad you found my site Cindy! I’m so appreciative to Becky for choosing my video- I’ve been able to meet so many nice people. Great things are coming this year- I feel it.
Jeanne Ann
I came across your blog while reading through the comments on Ali’s OLW blog post. Thank you so much for giving me something to really think about while choosing my OLW for 2012, it hasn’t chosen me quite yet. My word for 2011 has been More and I want to live with More Intention in 2012. Good luck with your Life List, you seem to be heading in the right direction!
Jenny
Thanks Jeanne Ann- I just love Ali and this will be my first year taking her class. More sounds great and more intention just makes me smile. Looking forward to what word chooses you for 2012.
Nicol
You are so amazing Jenny. I feel like you wrote this post just for me. Thank you so much. And by the way, I have that sign too.
Jenny
Thanks Nicol! Isn’t that sign just great? It’s such a great reminder when I’m a tad grumpy. I think many women can relate to that post and learning how to prioritize and say No. We aren’t very good at that!
Rusheika
Hi.. just found your blog and I love that post! My word for last year was intentional and it really did guide my year. This year while continuing to be intentional I have also added the word Temperate.
http://islandmamasadventures.blogspot.com/2011/12/word-for-2012.html
All the best for you INTENTIONAL year!
Alle
Thank you for stopping over at my blog yesterday! I am blown away by your story for picking “intentional.” I found myself nodding emphatically with each phrase you outlined for your intentionality. I think my theme of “redeeming the time” fits very well with the desire to be intentional with your approach to life. Blessings, new friend!
Kara Monroe
I was looking for art based on the “Live with Intention” poem by mary anne radmacher when I came upon your website. My word for 2012 (I’m also in Ali’s class and doing Project Life) is close to yours – mine is intention. Your post is inspiring. I look forward to following you this year.
Jenny
Thank you Kara. There is so much power in the word intention/intentional. Looking forward to getting to know you in Ali’s class. Thanks for stopping by!