Reclaim - My 2019 Word of The Year

Definition of reclaim 

transitive verb

1a: to recall from wrong or improper conduct : REFORM

b: TAME, SUBDUE

2a: to rescue from an undesirable statealso : to restore to a previous natural statereclaim mining sites

b: to make available for human use by changing natural conditionsreclaim swampland

3: to obtain from a waste product or by-product : RECOVERreclaimed plastic

4a: to demand or obtain the return of

b: to regain possession of

My word for 2019 is RECLAIM.  

Why did I pick that word?  It has been on my heart for well over a month.  

When I was thinking of my 2018, what worked and what didn't, all I kept thinking of was, what I'm NOT going to do; "well, I won't do that again..."  

I feel my word of 2018 STRIVE applied...I did in each situation that came my way.

When I first thought of RECLAIM it was the definition of:  to retrieve or recover.  To me, 2018 flew by!  I was busy, but I don't feel like I did enough for "me."  So, I need to RECLAIM myself, health, buildings, garden....get the picture.  

It wasn't until about 10 minutes ago when I looked up the definition and added it here, that I realized HOW much I need to RECLAIM.  It never ceases to amaze me how God uses these little moments to teach me a lesson.  

Let's start....

1.  "Improper conduct" - reform, tame, subdue.  If you know me at all, you know I am not one to tame or subdue.  I am the one who likes to say and do things I think will get a laugh...I could do a whole blog post about this...why I'm the "entertainer."  It's been through much soul searching as I tried to STRIVE though 2018, that I want to "reform" my behavior, "tame" my humor and "subdue" myself.   I do stupid stuff!  It's mostly unintentional!  I tend to speak first, think later and then I torment myself with it.  I have after 52 years, resolved that; I did it, it's over, shut up about it, never talk about it again and distance yourself from the situation.  So, here goes, if I've asked, repeated, said or done something that affected you - please forgive me.  How can I start to RECLAIM if I don't REFORM?  

2. "Rescue from an undesirable state" that one hits home!  Rescue:  my health, my pole building, my gardens, the girl's old bedrooms, the basement, my shop and studio - it's all in an undesirable state - shameful actually.  "Restore" - I hope to with a realistic agenda and plan.  It won't happen all at once, but it won't happen if I don't start.

3.  "Recover" I think of like a battle or search and rescue.  It will be a battle.  

4.  "Regain" is my goal.  Taking back what was once mine; steps toward my spiritual, mental and physical healing and growth.  

Yes, that was a TMI post!  That's the only posts I know how to do.  My blog is a digital documentation of my life - that I just happen to share with all of you.  I find it interesting that the 1-4 progression of the definition is also the steps I will take toward healing.  

So, welcome 2019!  I will charge forward the next 365 days thinking of ways to RECLAIM all that I can.  After all, RECLAIM is a verb and it requires my actions!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  
Linked to:  http://www.create-with-joy.com/2019/01/inspire-me-monday-week-364.html