Let Your Life Change the World 2016 {Giveaway + Printable}

It’s a new year and, while I am always energized by the fresh clean start that January 1 brings, this year I am positively beside myself with anticipation and enthusiasm.  It’s a milestone year for me as I will turn 40 quite soon.  Never before have I felt like a birthday was so monumental.  I feel so incredibly proud of all I’ve done and everything that’s yet to come.  I never could have imagined feeling so alive and blessed and thankful.  These are the days!

Inspired by our family’s favorite hymn, last year we used “Let your life change the world” as a sort of a motto.  Words to live by, if you will.  And while the new year is a time for new beginnings, I’m not one to change something for no good reason.  So we will continue this journey in 2016.

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We made a concerted effort to do good in 2015.  I kept strips of paper in our family office and we added to a paper chain of how we let our lives change the world last year.

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It moved around the room last year, hanging from the mirror, built ins and pictures, but remained a visual reminder of our journey (especially for the littles).  I intended to hang it on the Christmas tree and completely forgot about that.

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You can download the free printable here:   Change the World

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I was also inspired to create notepads and a journal.  In addition to using it for … well … notes, we also used it to hand out little treats when we went through a drive through or to our cashier at the grocery store.

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I’d love to giveaway two notepad and pen sets to a Dixie Delights reader!  The giveaway is open to US mailing addresses only.  There are two ways to enter; Be sure to post a separate comment for each to get both entries counted.

1. Subscribe to Dixie Delights emails

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2. Share your  New Year’s Resolution, word of the year or motto

I’ll announce two winners this time next week!

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Happy 2016!
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Change the World Printable   |  Change the World 2015

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121 thoughts on “Let Your Life Change the World 2016 {Giveaway + Printable}

    1. My resolution is to be in the moment. I was inspired by one of your recent posts from your bucket list when you talked about gratitude for what you have and how you don’t need a bigger house, a fancier car, or more things, but you have arrived at that age where doing things with your family is what really matters. That is what matters to me too and I think that our little boy will remember the memories of us spending time together more than which video game he got this year. Instead of checking that text message from work, I want to be in the moment at home and give my family my full undivided attention by showing them that there is nothing more important than them.

  1. My New Year’s resolution, or I guess more a theme, is to Keep Moving Forward. :) I like the idea of progressing and changing throughout the year no matter what comes my way. Here’s to a fantastic 2016!

  2. My goal/ moto this year is to be a cheerleader for other women. I think sometimes we just forget to let people know they’ve worked hard or are doing the best they can. I want to be more intentional about letting others know their own impact this year. :]

    Love the paper chain!!

  3. I’ve sunscribed! My phrase for this year is Positive Joy. I’ve come to realize over the past few months just how much negativity we have in our lives and how much negativity we are exposed to. I’m determined for our home to be a place of positivity, joy and peace…..a haven for our family. It’s going to be a fantastic journey with life-long repercussions!
    Julia from SC

  4. My word for the year is “simplify”. I want to declutter my life of unnecessary things: material, thoughts, worry. As a busy teacher and mom to three young girls I want to live in the moment and not let life’s clutter bring me down.

    Meaghan, I LOVE your resolution!

  5. Our word for the year will be fun! We had such a serious year with health issues for my husband and for several members of our family. We’ve all grown closer and been there for each other, but we’d like this year to be about injecting some silly into it! We are planning a trip to New Orleans in a few weeks to kick off our year of fun!

  6. I want to feed more family using healthier foods. I want us to eat out less and exercise more as a family.

  7. My phrase for the year is “people matter”. Amanda this falls in line with what you did in 2015. Life is so very short and each and everyone of us matter. Whether the person is a college professor, garbage man or hairdresser; they matter. Little random acts of appreciation mean a lot to people who may never of had kind word spoken to them, let alone a small token of appreciation given them just because they matter. I have been inspired by sarasmiles.org to do “spontaneous acts of kindness to affirm #peoplematter.” Take a look at her site and you can find her on FB at Sara Pecchia. She has a beautiful heart and get this she works at DISNEY! I don’t know her personally but I worked with her Mom and Brother for years.
    May God bless you and keep up the work: after all people matter!

    1. This is a favorite! People DO matter and doing very small kind acts comes is so rewarding on both sides!

  8. Our family motto this year is Be the Light. This world has some dark places and as individuals and as a family we will strive to shine a little light into that darkness. There are so many small things we can do to make a difference and this is our year to make it happen!

  9. My favorite “go-to” words are gentle and gracious. I might be able to change my small area of the world if I lived these two little words during 2016 and always.

  10. I am a MOPs( Mothers of Preschoolers) mentor and our word for this year is gratitude. We are keeping notebooks where we keep track of the things we are grateful for. I love your idea of handing out treats to the people we see frequently! And it is teaching your boys that it is important to treat everyone with dignity. Good for you in embracing 40! Life is a treasure.

  11. Love how your teach your boys about what’s really important!! My motto this year is to be where my feet are :-) Looking forward to 2016!

  12. I signed up for your email! My motto is, “To the world you may just be one person, but to one person you may be the world!” Here’s to making 2016 the best!

    1. When I was struggling with Elsa in the beginning someone told me this. I love it for so many reasons!

  13. I really love Pope Frances’ declaring this the year of Mercy. I certainly need mercy, so it is a nice reminder to extend mercy to others.

  14. I’m completing a big part of my New Year’s resolution already in just a few days! I am doing the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World’s Marathon Weekend. Two years ago, I was not even a runner, and I was unfit and unmotivated. Disney opened up a new world of fitness for me when I registered for and completed the Wine and Dine half marathon in 2014. I have worked hard and learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of during my training. So now it’s almost time reach my goal and celebrate my accomplishment!

    1. How amazing!! My first Disney race is 100% what inspired me to get fit!!!! 2 years later I’ve logged hundreds of miles and haven’t felt better in 20 years!!!!! Now, I walk (not run) so I am especially in awe of your accomplishments!!! Good luck!

  15. My word this year will be Joy and I plan on continuing to try to do things every day that bring joy to someone else, either by a kind word, a kind act, or just being present for another person.

  16. My resolution is to savor my children more….slow down and appreciate each day as they’re getting older every minute!

    1. Me too. I am going to try to get all of my work done before they get home from school. I will have to say no to things I want to do while they are at school but I’m prepared to do that.

  17. My word for 2016 is engagement! I plan to be intentional and engage more with the people in my life. No more scrolling while listening because that’s not really listening!

  18. I have two resolutions this year…1st is to make a serious cut back in my Diet Coke addiction. (may hurt you companys bottom line :)) It’s out of control and know i need to cut back and replace 1/2 with water. Fingers crossed.
    2nd is be more in the moment with our family. I often have my “to do list” when i get home and I am so focused on the list that I miss the everyday moments I should savor before the girls are grown and off to college! You definitely inspire me to do more of that!!!!

    1. Girl, I had to cut back on Coke too. :-) I don’t like water, which was really a problem. But I LOVE Dasani Sparkling which is a Coke product too. haha

  19. My word of the year is “future.” I became a single mom in 2014 and it’s my goal this year to make plans and decisions for our future that will help us prosper and thrive. Our spiritual, financial, and physical health are all key to our future.

  20. My resolution this year is to focus on things that motivate me and bring me joy! No more worrying about what others think I should be doing :)

  21. My word for 2016 is “Release”, focusing on letting go of all the stress-causing minutia and focusing on the positive. My mantra at home with That Man is “I can be right or I can be happy” and that phrase has helped reduce conflict in the home. I need to release the irritation when he puts the dishes in the sink and not the dishwasher and be thankful for the food we have to put in the dishes, a home with a sink and a dishwasher, and a loving partner who makes me laugh and that I get to share my life with. 2016 is a book with 366 blank pages – I hope yours is a best seller!

  22. This year is all about healthy eating. I am great about working out and staying active but I also love nachos and I really need to control that!

  23. My 2016 motto is…I can do it! My husband and I are applying this to education goals for our four children, as well as financial goals. And, our reward is a trip to Italy in the fourth quarter…woohoo!

  24. i am signeup for you emails and do enjoy all of them
    my word for this year is – consumed – i want to be consumed with love for others and to share God’ love with them and also their need for His saving grace.
    thank you

  25. I have two New Year’s Resolutions…one more meaningful and one more light-hearted. The light-hearted: Learn to keep an Orchid alive and blooming.

    The second: Be generous with compliments. My thought behind this is if I think something good about someone…I’m going to tell it to them. Text it or call them, but somehow tell them. Plus, when I see strangers and think something good…I’m going to tell them too! Great haircut! Cute sweater! Your kids are so well behaved (every mother’s dream)! etc….

  26. Amanda, I have followed your blog for years through email and love your blog. I am friends with Ron and love it when you visit NOLA and he and you write posts about it. I hope to one day meet you when you come to our city. <3

  27. My resolution is to get back to healthy eating and regular exercise–I’ve been slacking lately. Who knows, maybe I’ll become a runner! Happy New Year to you and your family! <3

  28. My resolution is to start taking better care of myself. I have spent the last 5 years helping to take 3 family members dealing with cancer. I am starting to feel the effects.

  29. I have two words for 2016. The first is rejuvenate and the second is preparedness. I plan to rejuvenate our house and some processes for our lives and for preparedness, I plan to become more prepared for any type of emergencies or unexpected happenings in our lives. Love your blog. Keep up the good work because you inspire me on a daily basis. Have a blessed new year

  30. I unexpectedly lost my son Matthew a few months ago. He was incredibly sweet who showed kindness to everyone and gave grace quickly. So my resolution or “words” of the year (and maybe every year afterwards) will be kindness and grace.

    1. Deborah,
      I just wanted to reach out to you and say how very sorry I am for your loss. It’s just not a “normal” path in life to lose a child. We lost my almost 16 yr old granddaughter 2 yrs ago and the pain is almost unbearable at times. Time does not heal all wounds…I think that you just learn to handle your grief in a better way. Sending healing energy your way along with strength and peace.

      May God bless you!
      Pat

  31. Kindness!…to others, family and myself! It’s just that simple! btw…are those notecards available for purchase in your etsy store?

    My thoughts and prayers to you and your family, Deborah.

  32. For me 2016 is about “enjoying the moment”. I’m always so worried about what’s next that I miss a lot of joy and happiness occurring now.

  33. My phrase for 2016 is more, better, different. I want to be home more, do more fun things with my kids, be more involved in my community. To be a better wife, better mom, better friend, better daughter. To make a difference in the lives of those around me.

  34. My New Years resolution is to keep running! I started, again, last Feb and haven’t looked back :) Outdoors when I can and on the dreadmill the rest of the year! Happy New Year :)

  35. My New Year’s Resolution and motto go together. “Pause and look to heaven”. It is often repeated in the bible that Jesus looked to heaven before acting. I hope to be able to learn the “Power of Pause” in 2016. To pause and be mindful of the power of my thoughts, words, and actions have on not only myself but others also. Thank you for the great give away.
    Shelley

  36. I am already a subscriber to you lovely blog! My resolution is to become organized! I need to get my house organized because the older I get clutter and things out of place drive me crazy! I always forget where I put something! LOL!!!!!

  37. My motto for 2016 is “Don’t settle for good enough push for greatness” which was our Sunday Sermon. I’m trying not to settle for “good enough” in my personal life, my job, my family, and the way in which I impact others – I’m striving for greatness. It also means, to me, changing the way I do and view things – if I want different results in my life and the life of others its has to start with me changing the way I think, feel, and act.

  38. Amanda! I love your blog (recently become a “stalker/subscriber”) I especially love this post! I blog over at Starfish Cottage, and besides blogging all about coastal decor and the coastal lifestyle, I believe that trying to make a difference in this world is so important. (In fact, there’s a neat story behind the name of my blog, Starfish Cottage, you can read about it here- http://starfishcottageblog.com/a-look-back-at-2015-and-a-new-meaning-for-starfish-cottage/) You see, we recently took a huge leap of faith and adopted a little boy from the foster care system, he has been such a blessing to our family! Ironically, today is the year anniversary of his “Gotcha Day” and I just published our adoption story here- http://starfishcottageblog.com/our-adoption-story/ I love that you are encouraging your readers to “let their life change the world” that’s what Starfish Cottage is all about too!

  39. My resolution and motto for this year: I want to work smarter. It is not what you say but how you say it.

  40. I love, love doing RAOK’s! I want to do more this year and my goal is “Joy”. Love the printable and notes, etc. Just beautiful, thank you!

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