One little word 2019

"We won't be distracted by comparison if we are captivated by PURPOSE."  ~Bob Goff

Every year I start in November looking at lists of words, in search of one. One little word that will help me define my year, with  reminders throughout the year of what I hope to achieve to keep me on track.

Last year my word was LIGHT and it illuminated my life in many ways. I spent much of the year cleaning out clutter, to "lighten" the load for when we move. I wrote and published stories to inspire and "enlighten" others and I lightened the colors in my house, just to name a few of the ways I was influenced by LIGHT. It was the perfect choice for 2018.

This year I am seeking purpose, my purpose, purpose in what I do and how I do it. I don't have to do everything, but what I do, I want done with purpose, with intention. I am excited to anchor my 2019 with PURPOSE.

What word speaks to you? 

You can search for your word

HERE or HERE

• 2018 - LIGHT
• 2017 - JOY
• 2016 - FOCUS
• 2015 - BE
• 2014 - NOURISH
• 2013 - THRIVE
• 2012 - ENLIGHTEN
• 2011 - CHALLENGE
• 2009 - FOCUS

And here is some of the influence of light...

Its hard to believe this all happened in a year!

• New Orleans Louisiana
• Destin Florida
• Fontana Dam North Carolina
• Asheville North Carolina
• Hilton Head South Carolina
• Niagara on the lake Canada
• Waco Texas
• Dallas Texas

I hope to forever love running. This year after the loss of my mom I truly believe running and the therapy that comes with running, saved me, and of course Norah!

1. Chippewa Lake Polar plunge 5K 27:40 - 1st place for age group (50-59)
2. The Love Run 5k - 1st place for age group (50-54)
3. New Orleans 5k - Grandmaster winner, 1st place in age group 27:30
4. Run the world 5K - Kent/Stark State
5. Water tower district historic hustle
6. Ohio Guidestone promise run 5k 27:41 - 1st place in age group (50-59)
7. The great Guernsey trail half marathon - 2:26
8. Medina Half Marathon
9. Matchstixk 5k - 3rd place for age group
10. writers who run 5k - 1st place for age group
11. Medina Twin Sizzler - 2nd place for age group
12. Hofbrauhaus 5k - 28:33 - 2nd place for age group
13. Colin Cares glow 5k - 2nd place for age group
14. Fat heads 5k - 27:26 - 4th place
15. Air Force half marathon
16. Race for Grace 5k - 
17. Gervasi trail run
18. Ohio Northern half marathon
19. Hermes dead sprint 28:27
20. Western Reserve Trail series (October)
21. Fall Classic half marathon
22. Hinckley Turkey Trot 30:08 5th place for age group
23. Run Run Rudolph
24. Reindeer Run
25. Santa Run

I love to read and listen to books. Every year my goal is 50 books.  I get close but have not achieved that goal yet.  Here are the books I read this year

1. The heart's invisible furies by John Boyne - Loved it!
2. Tattoos on the heart by Gregory Boyle - Inspirational
3. Braving the wilderness by Brene Brown - good
4. Turtles all the way down by John Green - good
5. The motivation manifesto by Brandon Burchard - inspiring
6. Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood - good
7. This is the story of a happy marriage by Ann Patchett
8. We were the lucky ones
9. Tell me more by Kelly Corrigan
10. Still Me by Jojo Moyes - laughed outloud!
11. Educated by Tara Westover - sad and powerful - favorite of 2018
12. The great alone by Kristin Hannah
13. Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst
14. Savor by Shauna Neiquest
15. A new model by Ashley Graham
16. The woman in the window by A J Finn - ***** could not stop reading!
17. This is me by Chrissy Metz
18. Grace not perfection by Emily Ley
19. I've been thinking... by Maria Shriver - really enjoyed
20. Lust and Wonder by Augusten Burroughs
21. The woman in cabin 10 by Ruth Ware **** _{Compares to the woman in window and girl on train (possibly my favorite of 3)}
22. Kick ass by Mel Robbins - very good!
23. Hello Mornings
24. Cultivate
25. The 5 second rule by Mel Robbins
26. How to walk away by Katherine Center
27. Waking up to Grace by Jennifer Gerelds
28. Still Writing by Dani Shapiro - loved!
29. Something in the water by Catherine Steadman - loved this book!!! Another favorite this year
30. Wash your face by Rachel Hollis
31. Everybody, Always by Bob Goff - inspirational!
32. The wife between us 
33. Fearless confessions- A writers guide by Sue Williams Silverman
34. An American marriage - good
35. The death of Mrs. Westoway - loved
36. 100 days to Brave by Annie F.Downs
37. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn - loved
38. Where the crawdads sing by Delia Owens - very good!
39. The extraordinary life of Sam Hell - loved
40. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid - very good
41. Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt - loved this book! Cried for good 20 minutes 
42. The other woman by Sadie Jones - Very good!
43. Then she was gone by Lisa Jewell - loved!
44. Slow - Simple living for a frantic world
45. The wisdom of Sundays Oprah - enjoyed!
46. The female persuasion
47. Calypso by David Sedaris