I would suspect that if you have any engagement in the blog world, then you’ve probably heard a thing or two recently about adopting a personal Word of the Year as suggest by the very amazing Ali Edwards.
I’m no good at setting New Year Resolutions. I can’t commit to anything enough to actually set the goal, and if by some strange act of God, I did manage to write down some goals, I cannot keep them for more than a week. For me, these resolutions focus on the negative & are too finite & easily broken. And if broken, I’ve failed and I might as well give up.
However, I LOVE the idea of a Word for the Year. It’s a reminder. A concept to live out daily. Not a way of denying myself or seeing how much self-control I have (or more correctly, do not have!). Something to invite into your life and all it’s facets, all the time learning more both about yourself & the word. The interpretation may even change as the year progresses.
For 2011, my word was breathe. I had spent a good portion of 2010 overcommitted, overstretched, overworked, under-rested and stressed to the point where I literally had trouble breathing and had very little to give to my family and had become pretty unhealthy both physically & emotionally. So I focused on slowing down. Embracing the moment I was in & setting boundaries on my time — as in I didn’t work all night. 
I focused on breathing wholeness back into my life. And in many ways it was a pretty slow year for me, I had some big events such as selling a house & purchasing a new one, but I laid pretty low when it came to my personal creative endeavors.
And I really needed that.
Which brings me to this year’s Word!!
Last year was about stepping back. This year is about taking what I learned in the last couple of years & actively stepping back into things. Not being afraid or hesitating — of what people might think of me, if they’ll like me, if the endeavor will work out. I have a picture in my head of life I want to live — And I’m not living it. I’m going to engage more in my husband, my kids. My family just moved to a new community & I want to engage & build relationships in this new place, both in my neighborhood & my church.
I’ve put my creative self on a back-burner this past year. I had to. I don’t regret it — but I miss it. I’ve been itching to get going again, but have been too scared as I don’t want to end up back where I started 2011. But now is the time. It’s time to engage in my creativity once again. To be courageous & act.
I am truly excited about the upcoming year! Something that is a bit new for me. My usual approach is to expect more of the same in the coming year, but I just have a good feeling about this year. Can’t wait to see where it takes me & how I grow.
Do you have a Word for the 2012? I’d love to hear it & what it means to you!
XOXO Lori Danelle
Pingback: My real 2012 Word