A friend challenged me the other day.

Vitality

animation, ardor, audacity, bang, being,bloom, bounce, clout, continuity, drive, endurance, existence, exuberance, fervor, force, get-up-and-go, go, guts, intensity, life, liveliness, lustiness, pep, pizzazz, power, pulse, punch, robustness, snap, sparkle, spunk, stamina, starch, steam, strength, stuff, venturesomeness, verve, vigor, vim, vivaciousness, vivacity, zest, zing, zip

That's a lot to ponder, isn't it?  I mean...wow.  Vitality.  Such a simple word, but look at the complexities!  Everything from "existence" (the state or fact of existing; being) to "vim" (lively or energetic spirit).   

A friend challenged me the other day.  She suggested that, rather than make New Year's Resolutions (which I've already told you I don't do), it would be a good idea to choose one word and strive to embody that word for a year.  As I thought about whether or not to take her up on her challenge, I began to ponder what my word would be even if I did give it a go.  And the word "vitality" immediately popped into my mind.

Now, I have to admit, when I thought of vitality I was thinking more along the "vim" lines.  I thought to myself, "Wow. There's a lot going on this year.  I am not sure I can commit to vim for an entire year!  Not this year anyway!"  I nearly scrapped the word and started over.

Then I read the synonyms.  Words like "life," "being" and "existence" popped out at me.  It looks like, sometimes, vitality means you do everything you can just to BE!

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying I decided to go with vitality because it means I can just be.  I decided to stick with vitality because I want to strive for vim!  But I know right here from the start that there will be days when just existing, simply getting out of bed in the morning and taking care of the essentials, is going to be a challenge!

You see, we started out this year, right from day 1, with a nasty stomach virus that ravaged our house.  Between my own bought with that bug and being up late into the night and multiple times during the night, it was a little hard to get up, get moving, and be those days.  But I did it!  We're "looking forward" to our 3-year-old's 6th surgery this summer.  I promise that on that morning, it will be a struggle for me to "be."  But I am going to do it, with as much vim as I can possibly muster.  I have to, for my little guy.

There'll be days when "vim"ming it will be easy.  My littlest love will turn 1 in just under 2 months.  Major vim day.  Our first summer break from school!  (That'll be easy "vim" for a few days, at least!)  Kindergarten Basketball games!  I could go on all day!

My goal for the year, though, is to try with everything I can to turn even my most "existence" days into "vim" days.  It'll take everything I can muster to put my feet on the floor some mornings, but I will do it with the absolute most lively, energetic spirit I can!  It won't always be easy, and I can guess already that it won't always happen.  (Yesterday, for instance, wasn't "vimmy."  That's why I didn't write this post yesterday as planned!)  But, by the grace of God, I will put one foot in front of the other, wake up praising Him, and use up every ounce of vim and vigor I've got!

My challenge to each of you this year is to choose one word!  Just one little word!  (My friend chose patience.)  Do everything in your power to live that one word for this entire year.  Don't choose an "easy" word, one that you know you'll be able to accomplish.  Choose something that'll stretch you!  Challenge yourself!

Lord, help me to live each day for you...with as much vitality...as much vim...as you and I can muster together!