What's Your Word?

Every year I select a word to focus on.

The first year I chose "success". I created a little jar and put each success on a little piece of paper. At the end of the year I read them.

• I completed my bachelor's degree with a 4.0 GPA
• I lost 18 pounds
• I had my first paid photo shoot
• We got all our bills caught up
• Our home got "De cluttered" - a liberating experience

Just to name a few.

The next year I chose prosperity (we received an unexpected $12,000 check that year) and the year following, momentum. That year started great - finished my Master's degree that year. But in reflection I also saw my momentum reverse. It was that reflection that made me consider why this was and how to reverse the course. The idea led me to the year of the phrase - "Forward with intention".

Life does throw punches and the curves in the road can slow the journey. But it's those moments that we can reflect on the person we are and who we are becoming. We can embrace the trajectory or change the direction completely. We do have a choice. I learned in that year that forward may not necessarily be the direction we think we should go. It sometimes means taking the opportunities in front of us and embracing them. And intentional means that every moment in that journey brings unexpected treasures if we pay attention.

I was so excited by the revelation that I chose "Discovery" for the next word. So what exactly can a 60 something ol' lady discover? Well there is plenty. I discovered. I discovered my health wasn't as good as I thought, but I also discovered I could do something about it. And I discovered I loved training people. And that discovery has led to a business!

So now that you have the history of "the word", lets talk about the word of 2018. I chose "Adventure" and my goals were to "be open to new things and move out of my comfort zone". And move I did. I left a job that was detrimental to my mental health and causing problems with my physical health, and now am working at a place I look forward to going to - a job I honestly love. I make less money, but that'll be another adventure! I've changed my life in so many ways. Seeing a psychologist helped me to learn more about who I am and what I need - and that it's ok to give my needs priority.

So what will 2019 bring? What word should I focus on? I think I'll go with the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams". The dictionary defines the verb, dream, to consider a  possibility; to imagine. And so here's to a new year of possibilities - a new year to imagine...

Dream.

What will your word be?

Annual Words - What will 2017 bring?

My friend Terri got me started on choosing a word for each year, and then at the end of the year reflecting on how that single word impacted my life.  

2013 - I chose success.  I made a little jar and each time I had a success, I wrote it down and put it in my jar - big or small, it went in.  My jar was pretty full.  I graduated with a B.A. degree, 

started grad school, lost 18 pounds (that I gained back while in grad school), had my first paid portrait photo shoot, and more.  It was a great year!


2014 - Prosperity -  I learned that prosperity comes in many forms.  It isn't just financial, however, we had several unexpected windfalls - one was $12,000.  We got some debt paid off, some much needed repairs done around our home and even took our first real vacation in 6 years!

But we were also blessed with new friendships, new family and more.



2015 - Momentum; lets keeps this going!  The first half of the year was fabulous.  I graduated with a Master's degree

-  my grandson graduated from the National Guard Youth Challenge program (if you don't know what that is, its a program for kids that are having trouble in high school - and it's tough.  Almost half his class either left or were kicked out - but he finished and finished well!).  As 2015 drew to a close the momentum had changed.  I was moving backwards.  I no longer had the push of school to get things done.  I sat.  I watched the world go past me.  My motivation was dwindling.

SO -  bring in 2016.  Not just one word - how about a whole phrase?  Lets get this old girl back on track.  The phrase I chose for 2016 was Forward with INTENTION.  I posted it on my phone, on my bulletin board - a reminder that moving required intention.  But I also had a different thought.  I assumed my movement would be where I wanted it to go.  Wrong.

I learned from that phrase.  Movement is what's important - fast or slow, just move forward.  I learned that when we plan the direction we want to go, sometimes life decides on a different direction.  The intention come in play by choosing to be content with that direction - to go with the flow.  Intention is seeing the golden treasures to be found when the path takes an unexpected turn.  It's choosing to grab onto those jewels and make life beautiful with them.  The intention should be to keep the movement going, allowing the journey to play out in front of us and taking those authentic revelations to heart - making them part of our lives.  So what word for 2017?

2017 -  Discovery