I was wondering. What in the world does a gal write for the first post of a new year? Desperate for an idea, I dug through the archives and read last year’s New Year’s post. It made me smile. I borrowed a concept from Tamika’s blog about giving each year of our lives a theme.
I gave 2009 a theme and predicted 2010’s theme would be Victory (ha, ha).
But really, I had no idea what 2010’s theme would be and I said I’d have to get back to you in 2011. So here it is, 2011. This is me getting back to you.
To be honest, I struggled with this one. A lot happened in 2010.
My son turned two. Ryan and I celebrated our 6-year anniversary. I started my fourth year of teaching. I wrote two more books. I learned what life was like as an agented, unpublished writer on submission. I waited a lot. A whole, whole lot. I went to my second writing conference. And then the year ended with a bang. A happy bang, if you will.
But most importantly, God taught me some major lessons. Like how to be still. How to trust. How to surrender. I surrendered over and over again, until I realized that I was surrendering with half my heart, using it as a bargaining chip with God. Like, maybe if I surrender this dream, then God will give it to me. Until finally I got to this place. This scary, but wonderful place. Where I truly let it go. Where I realized that maybe publication isn’t the point. Maybe creating and trusting and growing is. I never stopped hoping. I just stopped holding.
So my 2010 theme is…
Surrender.
As for 2011. I’m predicting…
Anticipation.
But really, who knows? I’ll just have to get back to you next year.
Let’s Talk: If you had to give 2010 a theme, what would it be? What would you like or what do you think your 2011 theme will be?
[…] 2010′s One Word Summary: Surrender […]
Hi Katie –
Congrats on the story in CFOM!
You had a wonderful, exciting year. I hope we'll be celebrating with you soon on a book deal. 🙂
Blessings,
Susan
"I started with Victory but ended with Surrender. God has a sense of humor, no?"
I love this. =)
As for me and my theme for 2010? It was acceptance. I think 2011 will be about courage.
I'm so happy that I found your blog. I found this post really, really inspiring.
Surrender. Love that. I need to remember that more.
Wow … congrats to you!
And, what a fantastic, thoughtful post … loved your lessons learned and your 'predictions'!
I wish you could see my face right now. I've been staring at my computer trying to come up with my post for tomorrow (Wednesday), and I just did a search for images on…wait… here it comes…
"surrendering."
Then, I got stuck, so I clicked on the Tweetdeck icon at the bottom of my screeen screaming for me, and I found a link to your post just sitting there waiting for me.
I have surrendered so many emotions and difficult issues to God this year – illness of a family member, change of jobs, sending a novel out to agents. Surrendering is also the overall theme throughout the book I just finished, so I guess it's definitely a theme that carried over from my fiction life to my real life. And it's a good theme to drive us toward peace.
Congrats on the short story, Katie!!
I completely understand your Victory and Surrender themes. I feel the same way. I had to really let go of my expectations this year. With that being said, I feel peace, which is unusual for me in regards to writing!
My theme for 2011 is Peace. I don't have this urgent anxiety about what happens with my writing right now–a tremendous blessing from God.
Can't wait to hear about this big Bang!
I think my theme for 2011 is going to be slow and steady. I rushed too much to do too much last year– I want to BE STILL and listen more this year.
I don't even know where to start on this one. I guess if I have to choose one word, it has to be perseverance. I had so many ups and downs in my writing life last year. So many times when I thought I was so close, but then the no came. I really questioned whether I was doing what I was supposed to be. And God gave me the answer, so I think that is a yes! This year, hmm…I know I'm going to need more patience, but I'm also going to have to put myself out there more, so I don't even know what the word for that is – boldness maybe?
Oops… that would be Patience for 2011! 🙂
I like this variation on the One Word concept. I think 2010's was Recommitment and 2010's may have to be Patience, although I may not know for sure until I look back on it. I'm not the world's most patient person, so I really do need to work on that.
Congratulations on the short story, Katie.
Carol
I like anticipation! (For me, that was last year.) I think it's boldness this year for me — stepping out of my comfort zone. I get scared just thinking about it.
Hmm.. definitely something to think about! Surrender is a great one… as is anticipation. I like my title for today's post: "Hope". I think that will be my theme for this year.
All of your words are great and encouraging. Can't wait to see all that happens for you in 2011! :O)
Hello, Thank you for the inspiring post. My theme for 2010 would be "coming out and telling the world I'm a writer." My theme for 2011 will be to "work as hard as I can to make my writing dream come true."
Funny how God writes our own themes for us, isn't it? Funny and painful.
Hmm, my 2010 theme was definitely growth. I hope my 2011 theme will be "a gentle and quiet spirit." Does that count? It's not one word. 🙂 God's been really convicting me of the need to seek His heart and develop a soft spirit toward others in my life. Not sure exactly how that will manifest itself over time, but that's the fun in waiting and wondering.
Mine was probably "patience" (or lack thereof… :P)
Awesome news about your short story. My theme this year is all about the query and trying harder in all areas of my life.
Oh, that's a good idea, trying to find a theme for each year. Last year I think my theme was "limping along." Uggh. this year I'm "striving for consistency" (with writing and my relationship with God)! But I loved you started out with "Victory" and ended up with "Surrender". We never do really know where the Lord will lead us, do we?
I'm going to go with a variation on your theme, which is Success through surrender. I love the way the Lord continues to grow me through my desperation. For sure if he gave in to my every whim I would be a monster. But that's a post for a different day. 🙂 COngrats on a terrific 2010 and I cannot wait for the big bang post. Coming soon???
my 2011 theme will be: "Rest". I want to learn to rest in Jesus and not try to carry the reigns of control. It doesn't work very well and leaves me feeling topsy-turvy. Great post, Katie!!!
With my contract and a new lifestyle as a pro writer with deadlines, I think the theme for 2010 was LEARNING. I hope that the theme for 2011 will be BALANCE. 🙂
Congrats on For Scarlett… can't wait to read it. And, I can't wait to see if your ANTICIPATION for 2011 is worth the wait.
My 2010 theme would be: Change.
Lots of things changed for us here.
My theme for 2011 is, hopefully: Serenity.
I read a blog today that resonated with me. There was a particular phrase: Life is all about how you handle Plan B.
Hopefully, I'll meet Plan B (or C or D…) with serenity.
Thanks for telling us about your short story. It's great, Katie.
I'm glad 2010 ended up being a great year for you despite the challenges inherent in waiting. I'm sooo eager to see what 2011 brings as things unfold for you. May the anticipation serve to make what is to come even sweeter.
Love this post.
My word is gratitude. With gratitude comes humility.
I wish you the best 2011 ever!
Hugs
I know the Wordserve logo is mountains, but it always looks like shoes to me! ahahahaaaaa!!!
So happy for your short story publication, Katie!
2010's theme would have to be 'changes;' and 2011 will be 'faith.'
Blessings from above!
Jen
2010 has been a year of surrender for me as well. Things didn't happen quite like I planned. Turns out God has a different time frame than I do. My theme for 2011 might be "acceptance." This year I'm more prepared to accept his plan for my writing. (But I'm still sorta pouting about it.)
Katie,
I have to read you a few lines from the book I'm reading. There's a scene about this–the letting go, the lightness of it, how it's both scary and exhilarating.
My word is commitment. I want to dive into those things I'm fully committed to.
~ Wendy
Before 2010 came to a close, I dubbed 2011 the year of hope, but as I spent my waking hours in Bible study and prayer on January 1, I felt God asking me to surrender many areas of my life. It's not easy for a control freak like me, but God understands my shortcomings and helps me through them. Here's to a great 2011!
Wow on the short story! I've never tried one of those…it looks to be a daunting task!
I love the idea of a theme. In some ways it is like the One Word concept that so many are doing. I have chosen Passionate for my 2011 word. I want to be passionate in every area of my life, not just going through the motions, but really being present and excited about whatever I do. Whether it is keeping a home for my family, developing a close relationship with my Lord, or writing, I want to be passionate about that!
Here's to a great New Year!
Beautiful.
I love the Theme idea. My 2011 theme is something about stillness and centering. As in getting still inside and centering on God. I'd also really like the theme to be HOPE. Maybe HOPE in HIM. Something like that 🙂
Congrats on the short story, Katie. IT'S SUPER FANTASTIC. I love it. Oh man, what an ending. What a story. Thank you Katie, for giving us such a gift as this story to read. YOU RAWK! As I started to read I wondered about Jeff. But what a read, girl. <3
As for my theme? Hope! You know what I'm doing now. So hope would have to be my theme. I was down last evening. I was having coffee with God and I asked for an answer. Should I be writing or is this some pipe dream? I got my answer as soon as I was finished praying and walked out to check my email. Another request. 🙂 Also, I thought of another super movie for you to buy Brogan. Veggie Tales, Saint Nicholas. We have loved that one too. It tells the story of the real Saint Nicholas. In a Veggie Tales way. 🙂 Happy New Year. I love you. Let's make this THE ONE.
I hadn't even thought of giving a year a theme. If I had to, I would say 2010 was "new beginnings", yeah rather corny, but I started a new college course as well as a new job. This year is going to be "persistence", got to hold on and get all my goals completed.
Congratulations on the short story Katie!
This was a hard one for me too, but now I see it clearly. This year my theme is Intimacy. I want a closer walk with my Lord, family and friends. No more holding back:)
Another short story? Wow, congrats! 🙂
I don't know what my theme was and might be a little too chicken to figure it out. Now I'm probably going to head to work and wonder all day about my 2010 theme. LOL
It sounds like you had an amazing year and I hope 2011 is just as wonderful. 😉