What’s Your Word?

I have never been one for New Year’s Resolutions. I think I gave up on making them once I became a jaded highschooler and realized they were pretty pointless if you couldn’t keep them up past February. So the new year has never really been that exciting to me. However, this year, I just felt differently about things. Maybe it’s because I’m turning 30 this year and that’s been a little bit of a “wake up call” for me. Or maybe it’s because we are a family of four now, and it’s making me realize how grown up and old I really am getting. Whatever the reason, I’m really looking forward to this year, and felt strongly about doing some new things.

Resolutions still aren’t really my thing though, so even though I had some ideas about things I’d like to accomplish this year, I didn’t particularly want to make some declaration of everything I was planning on accomplishing this year. Then when I inevitably lose my motivation, it just makes it even more depressing to know that I failed in my grand plans.

So I had these ideas and thoughts about the year building up in my head, but no real plan for them. Then, while perusing the internet a few days into January, I found a discussion about your “word” for the year. “What’s your word?” everyone seemed to be asking. And the replies were very diverse and inspirational. I had never heard of people doing this before, but it looked like everyone had picked a word that they wanted to represent their year; a word to focus on as opposed to just a “resolution.”

A word for the year is more like a theme rather than a resolution. I liked that idea, and it seems much more attainable than making these lofty goals and then feeling like a failure if they don’t work out. With a word for the year, you get a lot more grace. It’s much more flexible. And it’s not just about what you can do to make that theme happen, it encompasses everything you’re hoping for this year, whether that’s something you can make happen, or if it’s something you have to believe that God is going to do for you.

When I thought about my word for the new year, I immediately thought of “change.” I’ve been feeling like this is going to be a big year of change anyway, and there’s a lot of things I’m hoping will change, both personally and for our family. However, a few days later, I also thought of “intentional,” because while I was pondering all this new year stuff, I found a lot of things that I want to change involve me being intentional about things. It’s time to stop just sitting idly by and letting life happen. I need and want to be intentional about my life and my relationships in order for any change to happen. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. It’s time to change things up a bit.

So I ended up with two words, which kind of defeats the purpose of your “one word” for the year, haha. But I think they make a good pair: “intentional change.” I’m excited to see what’s in store for me, A, and our boys, and focusing on my words gives me a lot more anticipation for the upcoming year than I usually have. Here’s to a great 2015!

Do you have a word for the year? I’d love to hear what it is and why you picked it! Let me know in the comments. 🙂

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