Saturday, January 2, 2010

All Your Heart



"Wherever you go,
Go with all your heart."

~ Confucius




For the past few years I have tried to meet the new year with an idea, instead of a list of random resolutions. This past year, the thing I desired to improve in my life was a sense of order, the year before it was simplicity, and the year before that, character.

Each year I have focused on just one idea, seeking ways to improve that aspect of my life, studying, searching, pondering, praying for guidance, as I attempted to make that idea become a bigger part of who I am. Although I have a long road ahead of me in so many ways, I am grateful for the improvements I have made (however minuscule they may be).

Coming up with an idea for this year was about as difficult for me as blinking. I have been painfully aware of a specific improvement I need to make in my life and this year,
it is all about the heart ...  my heart!

In ways both physical and spiritual, my heart needs to grow stronger and more open. I have been pondering on this for months and now is the time to become that person I keep hoping to be.

And with that ... 

I am hoping to love everyone around me, regardless of what may or may not be returned my way.

I am hoping to show love openly, that no one will question my feelings towards them.

I am hoping to be more mindful of my physical heart, that I can do everything in my power to keep it beating long and strong.

  I am hoping to be more aware of the needs of those around me and to be more active in providing comfort and aid wherever I can.

I am hoping to become a person where love for everyone and anyone is as natural an act as breathing.


There ... I said it ... no going back now!

And perhaps by next year I will have undergone one of the greatest makeovers I could possibly experience ...

Before 2010:



and After 2010:


13 comments:

nuts said...

great post and thoughts here! right, wherever you go...go with all your heart..

Unknown said...

Great post! I love the heart growing!

jp said...

so sweet!

BeckeyZ said...

What a great way to start a new year..awesome goal, perfect quote, and I love the photo!

Suki said...

This is a great post :)
If you let yourself guide from God this will become very true.

Unknown said...

I love your post. What a wonderful list of reminders that all of us should try to do! Thank you. Your daughter is precious! Such a cute picture!

Tracey said...

That's a great idea, you're so smart:) Good luck on your journey of the heart!
Looks like you guys had a great holiday. Very cute pictures. Who made all of the hats that the kids are wearing in the hat picture?? They were very cute:)Hope the new year brings you and your family many wonderful things.

Lara Neves said...

1. Love that picture.

2. The idea of all your heart is wonderful. Have you read A Heart Like His by Virginia Ican'trememberherlastnamebutsheisPresidentMonson's daughter? Great book, and your thoughts reminded me of it.

3. Happy New Year!

K said...

Catching up on blogs... Looks like you had several great holiday celebrations with lots of loved ones. I'm very impressed with your new year's goals. I don't know if I dare post mine on my blog:) Back to "normal" life huh?

Katie Pettey said...

Jenny, I love this! I want so many of these things to be a part of me as well. I also loved your last post on your other blog about love. I had forgotten about that one, but it came up on my reader a couple of weeks back. I hope you don't mind that I read it. It was beautiful and expressed so many things I have been thinking of recently. When you look at the big picture, it really is all that matters. Love you!

Tabitha Blue said...

Great quote, and I have to say that I love that photo!! What a great way to start the new year, with the heart. Just that small thing can be such a big thing to work on, so here's to the start of a wonderful journey!!!!!

Doran & Jody said...

Great goal!! Good luck!

Tia Langston said...

Lara-Virginia H. Pearce? Great book.

Jenny-I think you are already such a great example of living by your heart. You're the best!