Am I Paying Attention?

I've seen a trend among bloggers to reject the idea of New Year's resolutions and instead to choose a single word to define the new year.

I guess I'm a blogger than doesn't do well with following the trend.

Instead of thinking of a word for 2013, I found myself asking a question. A simple question with lots of applications.

Attention?

Am I paying attention? To what?

Am I paying attention to my family?

Am I paying attention to God? Do I notice His blessings in my life? Am I spending time studying His Word?

Am I paying attention to my own health -- to what I eat and how much I exercise?

Am I paying attention to my commitments at home?

When I spend time on the computer, am I paying attention to what I am doing? Am I working with purpose?

I thought about my questions for several days and had nearly decided that my word for this was going to be a question instead of a word.

One evening while working at my desk, I noticed a card that had come in my latest order from We Choose Virtues. The front says, "I am Attentive."

The back of the card elaborates a little. "I watch and listen carefully. I am NOT... forgetful, distracted or distracting and I don't ignore or interrupt!" Perfect!

I now have a word for 2013. Thanks to my We Choose Virtues materials, I also have a verse.

"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of those who are wise. Apply your heart to the sayings I teach." Proverbs 22:17, NIrV

I've made a simple graphic to serve as a reminder to myself this year -- a reminder to pay attention to the things that matter most and to spend my time wisely.

My friend Marcy is creating a collection of "Word for the Year" posts to feature on her blog this weekend. If you need inspiration for the new year, be sure to stop by Ben and Me and read some of the inspiring words people have chosen.