"Even when the rainbow seems to pass right by me....I'm still finding Gold in the clouds....."

01 January 2025

2025 Word of the Year




It's the first day of a new calendar year!  1 January is usually the day I reflect on my "Word of the Year" and some goals or bucket list items I'd like to accomplish during the year. 2025 is no exception. After a morning of putting away all the Christmas decor (I did the lights and outdoor decor  Monday and yesterday as it was so mild), cleaning the kitchen, family room and dining room, I can finally sit down with a hot cup of fresh ground and brewed Guatemalan coffee and write my thoughts. 

My word for 2025 is PRESENCE. As in "to practice the presence of God"; being mindful of His Presence in my daily life and in the steps He directs me in. 


The Scripture to go with that word has kept popping up daily this past week in various places so I know it's God showing me to claim this verse for my self this year. I was going to use Psalm 16:11 which I used the year that "joy" was my word. But I've had so much confirmation that Exodus 33:14 should be my Scripture that I'm claiming it as one to memorize and focus on. 


My past "word of the year" words were:

2014:  STILL

2015: LIBERTY

2016: SIMPLIFY

2017: TRUST

2018: SAVOR

2019: didn't have a word that year!

2020: THRIVE

2021: BELIEVE

2022: JOY

2023: HOPE

2024: SHINE

You can use the archives  to go back and find various devotional posts I wrote regarding those words if you're interested. They are also under the label "Word of the Year Thoughts". I do plan on doing a first one for Presence at some point in the next week.  

Now, on to some 2025 Goals.

PERSONAL/SOCIAL: 

  • Continue to do "brisk walking/power walking" workouts daily after stretching/yoga/fitness ball routine.
  • Visit some relatives I haven't seen in awhile: my Uncle Cliff, my cousin Kenny, my cousin Trisha.
  • Have monthly coffee/dinner/lunch dates with my 2 daughters
  • Continue to have "date night" with my husband
  • Practice piano at least twice a week for 30 min. (my classical, baroque, or romantic era music)
  • No cocktails or wine the month of January! Cutting back on foods with added sugar. Eat more fruit and no baked goods. 
  • Have one game night for friends/other couples once this winter
  • SPRING FLING:  plan and host a "Spring Fling" with our couple friends, both young and old, here on our deck/backyard with a bonfire going all afternoon. 
  • Paint the entire deck before June!
  • Hike one new to me High Peaks trail by end of Summer
SPIRITUAL:

  • Continue my focused study/meditate on Psalm 119.  Try to be done by the end of June
  • Begin a small group study with Priscilla Shirer's book He Speaks to Me and be done hosting this by the middle of June
  • Attend all choir rehearsals at church January-June
  • Continue the SoulSteps Walking Group once a month for Friday/Saturday groups beginning in Feb-June. 
  • Continue to Volunteer with HomeBound and visit at least 2 clients per month.
BUCKET LIST ITEMS to try to complete in 2025

  1. Finish the ADK 102 Challenge
  2. Hike to Blueberry Falls in the high peaks wilderness region
  3. Hike up Jay Mountain again
  4. Explore Albuquerque and do one desert hike
  5. Take the boat cruise on Blue Mountain Lake
  6. Swim in Loon Lake
  7. Swim in Lake Champlain 
  8. Attend the Maple Fest in Thurman NY (eastern Adirondacks) 
  9. Hike the entire Hoffman Notch Trail
  10. meet my college friends Paul and Kim for drinks/lunch with Dave
  11. Go on a Hot Air Balloon ride
  12. Explore the entire Tahawus/"ghosttown of the Adirondacks" area by Autumn
  13. Find the start of the Hudson River/hike to it
  14. Hike in to Henderson Lake and possibly Hanging Spear Falls

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
I love reading all of your comments and just want to remind you that if you leave one, to please put your blog title or your first name and last initial or just your initials. 
thanks so much!!



 

4 comments:

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Faith. I love all of your goals. You always inspire me. I hope that 2025 is a wonderful year for you and yours. See you again soon.

Susan said...

Happy New Year, Faith! You have a lot of great goals. I am not planning anything other than reading through the whole Bible this year. I do need to get moving more. I will give it more thought after the cruise, though I will need a break to recover from that!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

That is a beautiful word you picked and the meaning you have with it.

Wendy said...

Your goals are certainly challenging but I'm sure that you will achieve them, especially now you're retired. Not sure about a hot air balloon ride though - not something I'd ever put on a to do list.