As we sit here and reflect on 2022, a lot of mixed emotions come into play. This past year has brought so many happy memories, but also stress, grief, loss, yet gratitude at the same time. Did any of us predict that? Not necessarily, but I think that the words we chose to hold onto last year really helped mold us and give us the strength to move forward when it was the last thing to do. Invest + Boundaries. Those were the words that were chosen last year by the Cornerstone team. As we took the time to think on the words we want for 2023, we not only had to choose words that would help us grow, but words that would launch us into a year full of so many unknowns. With that being said, keep reading to find out what words the Cornerstone team chose this year: 2023. 

Sam:

2022 was a wildddd year for me. Having a two year old doesn’t make anything easy, but we found out in late January that he was going to be a big brother. By Fall, we had two boys that were 2.5 years apart. Talk about exhausting… 

My word for last year was boundaries, I chose that because I needed to protect myself and my peace. While yes I was able to grow in that aspect of my life, I also was able to set boundaries to help my boys also. 

This year, when choosing my word, I started to think about how I could grow – spiritually, mentally, professionally and also personally (with my family) and the word that kept coming back to me was patience. See, it was easy for me to teach my two year old to say ‘be patient,.’ As in, give mommy a minute and I’ll help you, or if you will ‘be patient’ then dinner will be done, etc, etc, etc. But when I want something, I want it now – the trash taken out, the crying to stop, the new iphone, you name it and I want it now. 

I am very impulsive in many ways and I think that taking this year to really hone into patience, what it means, how to wait, how it can affect my life and also my husband and son’s lives, will be a game changer for us all. 

My goal for 2023 is to become less impulsive, more reflective, less eager and more accepting. I pray that God shows me what is in store for me, my husband and my boys with each passing day and I know that it won’t be immediate – His plans usually aren’t. But if I can be patient, I know that whatever God has in store for us in 2023 will bless us all!

Charity:

2022 was a year of adjustments and growth in so many ways. Playing off of my word for 2022, invest, I took on many many more responsibilities. Started selling my Crochet creations, built up photography even more and added eating better and working out to the mix.

With all of that, I have to say, I’ve felt guilty. Treating every day like a checklist with so many things to get done in my personal time, my mind was always thinking about what to do next. I have an obsessive personality and I cannot move onto the next thing mentally until all of my “responsibilities” are completed… oh wait.. that never happens. The work of a mama is never done/completed.

I want to continue to invest in myself and my hobbies in 2023. However, this year, I really want to make it a goal to be present. I want to focus myself mentally and emotionally in the moment I am in instead of always thinking about the next thing and running through my list in my head.

I know the balance of it all will definitely be a juggling act but making the conscious decision to be present will give me the opportunity to truly savor and enjoy the fruits of my labor and remind me WHY I do everything I do in the first place.