Choosing a Word of the Year can set the stage for an incredible New Year.  Although my word might surprise you, I’m excited about its potential to make my year amazing.

 

Several years ago, a young friend, whom Tim had been mentoring for several years, won four tickets to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert.  As a huge fan of TSO and all things audiovisual, it was the ultimate win for him.  It ended up being a win for us as well, as he invited us to be his guests that night.

 

TSO Concert Proximity

 

If you’ve ever had the privilege of attending a TSO concert, you know that they put on quite a show.  You can count on seeing amazing special effects and pyrotechnics as well as incredible musical talent.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra draws a crowd, full-house crowds, and this concert was held at the arena where the Buffalo Sabres play.  We could have had seats up in the nose-bleed section.  But we didn’t.  We had seats on the floor about 10 rows from the stage right smack in the middle.

 

TSO Show - PYRO

 

I have never sat so close to the stage for any concert and had no idea what a difference it would make to have such fabulous seats.  It really is all about proximity. We could feel the heat from the pyrotechnics on our faces, snow fell over our heads, and we could see every musician without the aid of the jumbo screens.  Every fiber of our bodies participated in the concert.

It would have been a great show from seats far away.  But it wouldn’t have been an experience.  We had a real TSO experience.  And eight years later, I remember it as well as if it were yesterday.

Proximity makes a difference.

A HUGE difference!

Maybe it makes ALL the difference.

 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

 

Listening to a recording of TSO is good, but attending one of their concerts is better.

Getting a seat somewhere around the perimeter is good, but getting a seat 10 rows from the front smack in the center is THE BEST!

So many things in life are better because of our proximity. 

I’ve come to the conclusion that this is especially true with our relationship with God.

History shows us that some of the great spiritual giants of Christian faith are men and women who get up early to start their day with God and choose to walk their day in step with him.

When we start our days busy and keep it up until we drop into bed at night our proximity to God stinks.

 

TSO Concert great example of Proximity

 

Proximity is a word I’ve been mulling over for several weeks.  So, when one of my friends asked if I had a word for the year, I realized I did.

Proximity is my word for 2018.

Value statements are important to me.  I have found that whether an organization or an individual has a value statement, it takes the guesswork out of decision making.  It provides the framework for planning and it’s a great filter for making choices, evaluating, and analyzing the choices I’ve made or those before me.

Our word for the year can be very much like a value statement… maybe it could be best described as a value statement sized up in a word.

I’ll be able to ask myself helpful questions…

  • Is this choice going to bring me closer in proximity to God or will it distance me?
  • As I plan our my day or my month… am I leaving room in my schedule to just be with God?  If I see that I’m not, it’s a reminder to be more purposeful and possibly schedule my day for proximity.

I’m hopeful that I’ll find myself more conscious of my proximity and recognize on those days when I’ve stepped out of proximity and will then be able to make quick corrections.

 

TSO Concert - Dueling - Proximity Word of the Year

 

This is a strong admonition from the Book of James in the New Testament.

So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. You are sinners, so clean sin out of your lives. You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. Make your thinking pure.  James 4:7-8

Everything depends on me when it comes to my proximity to God.

He’s always there… waiting. 

I just need to slip into step with him and out of step with the world.

It’s not easy… but it is so worthwhile.

I’m excitedly looking forward to the close of 2018 and the opportunity to look back and see how much good came about because of one word.

 

Do you have a word for the year?

What do you think about proximity?

What is your proximity to God?

Pin It to remember for Later because it's so good - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Inspiration for choosing a Word of the Year. Ideas come from unexpected places. - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

 

TSO Concert and the word of the year on JoyDay!

 

It’s JoyDay!

One way we can increase our proximity to God is through praise and thanksgiving.

Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.

This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space resets our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord. And ultimately fills our hearts with JOY!

I’ll start…

Thank you, God for…

  1. this wonderful memory of the past and how it became a lesson for my life, too.
  2. Christmas and the joy of celebrating YOU and Your unspeakable gift!
  3. a “normal” Christmas.  We are so very grateful for all that You did this year to make this possible.
  4. a quiet week after Christmas to do some catching up.
  5. the beauty of all the snow and a wonderful walk in the sunshine today!  WooHoo!  Sunshine!
  6. two long conversations with my dear and very distant friends.
  7. a good year and the promise of more of You in 2018.  

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.May your week overflow with unimaginable Joy! Signature - AnExtraordinaryDay.netReceive FREE inspiration like this in your inbox!
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Comments

  1. Rita M. Signore says

    Hi Diane,
    I like the way you let us interact with you to get acquainted and a slight vision of whom sends you a response! Makes a great connection!
    I live in Pittsburgh,Pa.for over 60 years. On March 2017 my husband passed and we were married 67 years! Only God could help us be together that long! He’s my Rock!
    So my word is : Beginning! In May,2018 all my family ( Son. 2 Daughters) my son-in-law . minnie our doxie and me! will be moving into a brand new house all together! we are so excited! Only God can make a way! He is faithful! Love your site on facebook it inspires me!

    • Rita M. Signore says

      !. Closer walk with God!
      2. Sharing the Lord daily!
      3.Meeting new friends on F.B.
      4.Having good health at this stage of life
      5. Family unity and all trusting God!
      6. Being able to pray for others!
      7. Opportunities to express our words freely and
      being able to spread the word of God to others!
      R.M.S.

  2. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God…..
    l. For the gift of your precious Son, Jesus…..
    2. For these 2 wonderful productive, relaxing , creative weeks off from school….
    3. For Wonderful Christmas Celebrations with my Son ,Brother and Dear Friends…..
    4. For renewed creativity and Joy in my Home…..
    5. For supplying all our needs…
    6. For my warm and cozy little Home…
    7. For a great report from my eye exam!
    My Word for 2018 is “Focus”…. a reminder to keep looking straight ahead, looking neither to the left or to the right and keeping my eyes, my ‘Focus’ on The Lord at all times, and not on my circumstances or the things of this world going on around me…. for He alone is my source,my supply,my provider,and my protector… walking with and guiding my steps every minute of my day….

  3. Minnie McCoy says

    Good day Diane!
    Wow, what an exciting, memorable and impressing night that must have been. Literally impressing, as it came to your mind to explain your closeness to God. Wonderful how he works!
    Always around if we just look for him.
    I thank you Lord for,
    1. Your presence
    2. Miss C. came home from hospital yesterday.
    3. Hubby is starting to accept this new chapter.
    4. All our kids live so close. Some parents of grown children see their little family occasionally, we are blessed daily.
    5. The coziness of my fireplace.
    6. She passed away 16 years ago on Jan. 5 and I miss her everyday! So much!
    But I know I would have nothing to miss if she hadn’t been so wonderful.
    7. All the times you have protected me without my knowledge.
    I hope you have a most beautiful new year filled with love.
    Blessings to you!
    Minnie

  4. Gwen says

    What a great post for your word and for the New Year. I wasn’t sure about a word. I hadn’t done this in a few years but this year I kept being drawn to a verse and the word Changed
    “Enlighten”. I do not want to live in darkness. At times this path seems so dark. That’s when I need to draw closer to the Lord so that He can enlighten me and my heart. Let His light lighten all the dark corners of my being.
    Hard to put into words.
    1. For a walk today outside
    2. Healing quickly of my arm
    3. Time to read a new plan
    4. Friends who care
    5. A call from my Grandson
    6. A friend checking in on me
    7. A sheriff. To keep an eye out for us
    Happy New Year

  5. Jean says

    Happy New Year, Diane! Loved your post as well as your word choice for 2018. Proximity is a good one. My word for the new year is embrace. My goal is to have a more positive attitude and embrace whatever crosses my path this year.

  6. Ruth says

    Here are my 7, Diane,
    1. Had all 3 grown children and all grandchildren plus my mom and dad here for Christmas. Haven’t had all 3 children home for Christmas in 15 yrs for one reason or another.
    2. Thankful that I was able to help rebuild some homes in Texas and a church in Fla that were damaged by the hurricanes.
    3. Thankful that my dad is still with us. He’s battling lung cancer and it didn’t look like he was going to make it to Christmas but is doing better so far.
    4. .Thankful for a warm home, running water, elec. etc in this extreme cold weather.
    5. Thankful for doctors and modern medicine when we get sick.
    6. Thankful for good friends who look out for us.
    7. Thankful to God from whom all these blessings come from and for His Son Jesus who loves us so much!
    The organization that my husband and I volunteer with is God’s Pit Crew and the founder and CEO tells all the volunteers that we are to be a people of excellence (not perfection, my word) but excellence because our God is a God of excellence. He doesn’t do anything half way and neither should we. So I don’t have a word for 2018 but will use “excellence” in my life as a reminder to do everything to the best of my ability for God.

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