{One Little Word} 2012

This is my fourth year of choosing a "word" to focus on for the upcoming year.

This year I really felt like I needed to work on my procrastination.

I tend to work really well under pressure and that leads me to wait until the last minute to start projects. The problem with that kind of process is that when "life" inevitably happens,
and things come up, I end up stressed out and overwhelmed.

*Sigh* When will I ever learn?

I did a search for "Opposite of procrastination" and was surprised to find "Discipline".

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
If you are disciplined you will do what needs to be done,
when it needs to be done, instead of THE NIGHT BEFORE it's needed.

Definition of DISCIPLINE
1: punishment
2obsolete : instruction
3: a field of study
4: training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
5a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior c : self-control
6: a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity

I thought about making that my "word", but it just felt too harsh. I mean, I need more of it in my life, but I wanted a word that would encompass more of who I am growing into.

I prayed for a word that would help me with my specific procrastination problem,
but would also allow for all around growth and improvement.

The word I was given is:
Fruitful

Definition of FRUITFUL
1a : yielding or producing fruit  b :conducive to an abundant yield

2: abundantly productive

I latched onto "Abundantly Productive" to help me with my anti-procrastination goal,
but then I thought about the Spiritual implications of the word and got so excited!

This word is totally perfect for me!

I have had Galatians 5:22-23 on my heart alot lately:
 "22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" (NLT)

These are all things that God has been leading me to increase in my life:
To be Abundantly Productive in my life.
To be filled with the Fruit of the Spirit.
To sow seeds in the hearts of my children and the people around me.

Matthew 12:33 NLT

“A tree is identified by its fruit.

If a tree is good, its fruit will be good.

If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad."

Fruit is the outward expression of the inward nature.

My One Little Word for 2012 is Fruitful.

Here are my One Little Word posts for 2011, 2010, 2009

Do you have a word for 2012? I would love to hear what it is!