What is the Word?

By: Michelle

For several years I’ve been partaking in the Word of the Year Tradition. For those of you who don’t know, it pretty much takes the place of New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of choosing a bunch of things you swear you are going to do in the next year only to put them aside within the first month or more likely the first week of the year, you choose one word to be the theme for your upcoming year.

Last year my word was “responsibility.” I had chosen the word because I had a theme throughout my life and my family’s life where I was either taking on too much responsibility or not enough. It was an unusual choice but it fit for me.

The really cool thing about this practice is how you start out the year really paying attention to your chosen word and how to make changes and just like resolutions go, the energy seems to fade away shortly after. BUT…it’s not really the case. Your intention for the word seems to act like a spice in the soup of your life and you find it flavoring everything you do without even realizing it.

Looking back over the last year I can see all the places where I have stepped up and become a much more responsible person. I now enjoy making lists and completing the items so I can cross them off. I hit my deadlines, I’m more focused, and my energy just feels more responsible all around.

I’ve also notice the places where I have been able to step back a little and allow my children to step up and take some responsibilities around the house. It has made a world of difference.

 

When I originally wrote this blog post I had chosen a word of the year for 2013 and then my dearest friend Carrie put out a Word of the Year Companion Guide and it was so amazing that I changed my word of the year! I cannot tell you how helpful it was to go through her guide and get clear on my chosen word. It was like laser pointed clarity and I am so grateful to have the guidance. I wholeheartedly recommend this guide and I want to let you know that this is not an affiliate link, I just believe in her take on the process.

So my new word that I created is so much richer and so much more appropriate for 2013. The word is Soar. It encompasses all of what I am looking to accomplish in the coming year in all areas of my life. I thought about several other words and then I realized that Soar incorporates all of them and so much more!

I think it is so funny that about this time last year I made the intuitive painting above and the idea of the word Soar was born and now almost a year later I am embracing the word to guide me into the next year. It's amazing how these things can go full circle.

I had originally listed several ideas on how to come up with a word of the year for yourself and I realized that my orinal method didn't quite offer the depth that Carrie's method has. I know that there is power in this practice and I want you to choose a word that will inspire you to grow and become more of who you really are. Some of you will know right away what your word will be and for those of you who might need a little guidance I would like to encourage you to head over to Carrie's website and get her guide.

Do you have a word of the year chosen? What is your experience with this practice been like in the past? I would love to hear how this practice has worked for you in the past.

Here is to ushering in the new year with your own special word of the year.!