Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The Art of Tuning In

"Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause,
and do many things of their own free will,
and bring to pass much righteousness."
D&C 58:27

When I saw that Jen, my good buddy over at Denton Sanatorium, was doing her annual "pick a word that defines your goal" blog hop, I remembered what a hard time I had picking my word last time and felt a bit unequal to the task. That's why I was so relieved when she described her aspiration with a phrase instead...a five-word one with plenty of ways to go. For some reason, that feels easier for me, a concept instead of a keyword.

So, in the unlikely event you haven't already figured it out, what I want to be this year is tuned in...not only to people but to things, experiences, and life in general. I want to be more present in every moment, with a conscious awareness of needs, notions, and nuances. I want to be the person who takes time to watch and actually see, listen and actually hear...and not just when it's easy or convenient. I want to be engaged––fully, at all times, and in every way available to me.

What I don't want to be is someone who's just going through the motions, calling it in, or standing on the sidelines. I want the joy of being out there in the trenches––an active, eager, and reliable participant. I want the blessings of being a person the Lord (and others) can count on to be not only ready and willing but wise and respectful. I want to "get it" and I want to "do it."

I want to be tuned in, to others, to myself, and to God.
I want to be tuned in physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
I am not meant to watch from a distance or to fade into the distance.

Life is too rich for that!

And I don't want to let getting older get in my way.

=)

{be a force}

27 comments:

Julie said...

You won't believe this, but I decided that if I had to choose a word (or two) mine would be "in tune". I want to be in tune to my body, to my family, to my neighbors, and to my God. How's that? You said it much more eloquently. :)

Sistas in Zion said...

"Tuned in" love it! Picking a word or phrase that describes your resolution for the year is a great idea. Your goal is great Sue, tuning into others is sometimes what leads us to being in tune with ourselves.

Ang said...

great thought....I may just steal that next year!

jen said...

In tune but also be a force--love this. This is a great way to summarize so much, and I LOVE IT! Thanks for linking up, and over the course of the year, when I hear "tune in," I'll think of my friend SUE!

yaya said...

I think my phrase will be "stay the course"...I'm going to give it my best shot at getting my health in order and my home in better order...getting rid of excess "stuff", and emotional baggage..especially regarding my work situation. Your writing is so thoughtful...you seem to be able to "tune in" on many aspects of life and put it in writing. I bet you are much more in tune than you give yourself credit for. But aren't we always our worst critic?

anitamombanita said...

you go!!

Jenny said...

Tuned in!

Great word(s).

I'm thinking mine might be 'survival' this year! ha!

Brian Miller said...

nice...i tuned in is a great phrase...we miss out on so much all the time in what goes on around us...mine is to savor...

CB said...

Love it - That is such a good one. I think over the years alot of the words have been used over and over and phrases or a few words are getting popular - I like it!

Lisalulu said...

first i never even thought of having a 'word' or 'phrase' of the year, so you are way ahead of me! and what insight to be 'tuned in'. ok you've got me thinking. and it also reminds me of the different YW Camp themes!(like yaya said 'stay the course' I remember that one).

karen said...

I love what you said, and it's something that's been a desire of mine as well. You put it perfectly - but you always do. I need to put some thought into what mine would be.

Karen Mortensen said...

Good word Sue. I am sure you will do well with this.

Darlene said...

What a great goal, Sue! Would that I could do that too. It is just too easy for me to sit in my comfy healing chair and just let the world go by, and time, right along with it. I do need to be more involved with people and things. When I get truly rested up I am going to try to do just that. Right now, all I want to do is nothing...........Isn't that awful?

I just need to find some source of energy. It would help if I could just find those receipts.

We have been blessed so much this past year. It was a difficult one, in many ways, but oh, how much help we received from our Heavenly Father. I am sure my good feelings will come back soon. I really didn't mean to sound so negative.

Have a Happy New Year!!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Great choice! Mine is 'change'...so much ahead of me this year and I want to embrace the change!!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Sue honey that's how I think of you and Darlene as being in tuned to everything and everyone.
Great post.
Love ya
Maggie

Pondside said...

I'm still trying to think of a word - it might take me a long time. I like your word and what it means to you.

Amy said...

What a great phrase to work on this year! And there are so many ways you can be tuned in, so you will never get bored. Love it.

Stacy said...

Hear, Hear. I totally can feel this goal and wish I could be in your ward. But, somehow, this blog thing makes me feel so connected! Good luck, tuning in.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I love that one!
Tuned in!
Good for you. It's going to be fun to see how you utilize that in the coming year.

Stef said...

I should do that too. It is such a hard thing. I will be looking at something and not even hear that my children are screaming at me...although I am sure that is not the tuning in you are talking about. But metaphorically speaking...good group of words.

Grandma Honey said...

The ending part about not letting getting old get in the way, made me laugh :)....mostly because it's so true....I think of how I often want so badly to DO more but I have my limitations, unlike previous years.

Being tuned in more, I've been working on that too. So often a need of someone will pass right over me and then later I will think....why didn't I think of that??

Connie said...

That is a lofty goal for me. I'm so ADD that I can read a whole chapter of scripture and not remember what I read or "listen" to a story my hubby tells me and not get all the detail. I need to tune in much more than I do. Perhaps "Focus" should be my word.

Read through your other posts. Love your bathroom story. You came out of that splendidly.

Leovi said...

Sue your lovely words, I wish you a happy and prosperous new year 2012.

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Fantastic and inspiring post, Sue! I too, need to "tune in" with all my attention, and not just shooting the breeze.

Unknown said...

Getting old doesn't get in the way...but I find getting fat does!

Unknown said...

Getting old doesn't get in the way...but I find getting fat does!

Jamie said...

you never fail to inspire me! This just brings so much into focus. Good luck "tuning in" I hope you'll keep us posted.