Everyone is talking. Talking about losing weight, getting in better shape, quitting this bad habit or that. I decided years ago that instead of making a New Year’s resolution I would pick a word and let it be my word for the year. Some of my favourites have been simplicity, peace, creativity, devotion, gratitude and laughter. This year I’m stuck.
We have started the year differently by house sitting at Raven Rock Farm and are in the 
preliminary stages of some exciting travel plans. Registration for the next course in my degree is in process and I am continuing to serve as President of Women in Focus for Western Canada, both of which challenge and satisfy me. From this Raven Rock perch, prospects for 2012 look promising.
But I digress.
As usual, I read several biographies last year and the most recent was written by a young Carmelite nun named St. Therese of Lisieux. One unusual thing about her is that she was only 15 when she entered monastic life. Therese made her request to the Pope himself. Anticipating her own death during her 24th year, she wrote her story at the request of the head nun and the account is childlike and poignant. She was small like me and like me, the words she found most helpful were the words of Jesus. “Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me.”
2012’s prospects are exciting, yet the prospect of growing closer to God and living in love and devotion to my Jesus, like my sister St. Therese is a holy journey initiated and empowered by the Spirit of God. It is one I feel compelled to travel. 
There’s my word. Not very original but it works.
Journey.
