Align
Tha-thump, tha-thump, tha-thump. Once again, the noise near the rear of my car reminds me that I need to get it to a mechanic. Ever since that deer stepped out in front of our car, the tires simply do not seem to be wearing evenly. They veer ever-so-slightly, especially when reaching……… er, um, higher speeds. Quite simply, they need to be in alignment to work as efficiently and smoothly as they should.
Last year, my focus word was shift. I worked toward shifting my life toward healthier habits, kindness, prayer, and Bible study. I also attempted to shift away from judgement and frustration. There were improvements in each of those areas of my life, and I continue to try to meet those marks. Taking wins were I can these days – I would call my 2021 “shift” a personal success.
This year, much as my car needs to be in alignment to travel smoothly on the road, I have chosen “align” as my focus word for 2022 to travel smoothly through life. One definition I found for the word align is this: “to put (things) into correct or appropriate relative positions.” This will be my priority in the coming year, and hopefully in the years to come.
In order to align my life effectively, there are important things that I need to determine:
- What is my purpose in life?
- What values do I wish to cling to?
- What activities and experiences will encourage me to align my life with my purpose and values?
- What will my life look like if it is in proper alignment?
- What things should I embrace, and which things should I loosen my grip on?
Several years ago, when my dad was in a nursing home, I would often visit him and feed him lunch or dinner. Seated at his assigned table was a retired priest, who had the sweetest disposition and always had a kind word. Each time I would join them at the table, I would greet Father Hartman and ask how he was doing. His reply was always the same: “Everything is copacetic.” In other words, “everything is in order.” In my mind, he was simply stating that his life was in perfect alignment and contentment.
Perhaps my vision for this year is to be able to feel exactly that.
Working towards alignment,
Susan
