Last week, I told you about the idea of creating a “word of the year”. One word to inform and synthesize the year you have ahead of you. One word to mean everything you want 2013 to be, and one word that will help serve as a guiding light when times get tough and you’re not clear on where your priorities are.
Some of you responded via the comments and via email with your “words of the year”, and I was thrilled to read them. Words like “abundance” and “direction” and “moxie” and “contentment” rang true, and made me smile when thinking about the lives that such words will help improve in the year to come.
For me, 2013 is all about one particular four-letter word that I seem to be extraordinarily bad at integrating into my daily life.
My word is REST.
Four letters that mean the world to me in my current season of life.
Although my rest might not be as restful as the REST that some might be able to enjoy (my travel schedule, for example, is just one area of my life that stuns others into shock at times), REST for me is still an important concept that I hope to try and integrate into my world in 2013.
I hope to make decisions based on this word, and to try and remember this word when difficult choices arise. Should I attend XXX, or should I stay home? Should I travel for XXX meeting, or should I make the difficult request to Skype in instead?
When your life and work calls for travel, rest is hard, and that is unfortunately the season I find myself in. That said, I’m hopeful that – by making this word forefront in my mind – I can make strides in making some small, notable changes that will bring positive changes into my life in 2013.
Finally, I want to acknowledge that even if I don’t get it 100% (or 80%) “right” in 2013, I can still use this word as my word of the year once again in life. I’ll try it this year, and maybe try it again in the future. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll keep trying it until I get it right.
For me, it’s a year of REST.
Did you think about choosing a word of the year for 2013? If so, what is it?
Great word! I think this is where I was headed when I chose simplicity for my word. I need to be resting more, but also need to be working harder or smarter on some other areas unattended. I see simplicity as a balance between choosing the right things to work on, and choosing rest.
yes! simplicity and streamlining — both words i need a heavy dose of;)
my word of the year is “possibility”. i’m trying to keep myself open to any and all new experiences that come my way this year. try a new job. learn about a new field. move to a new place. meet new people. last year was a year of disappointment, where nothing i seemed to try or want happened. so this year instead of trying to “stick to the plan”, i’m going to enjoy the upcoming year and see what exciting things are possible.
awesome — be open, see what comes. I like it.
My word is kindness.
Rest – great word. I think we all could use rest, real leisure. Not just sit back on the couch and veg out in front of the TV, but real quality leisure that adds purpose and pleasure into your life.
If I was to choose a word this year it would have to be present. I want to be present in every moment, to really live in the present – I guess I could also say that every moment is a present:-)
I LOVE that word — and might’ve chosen it myself;)
Hi Claire! Thank you for giving so much good we all take and use in our daily lives!!!
My word: Prosper. For me, in this season of my life, The real Shawn is coming out of hiding! I am recognizing the influence of Fear, its grip on my thoughts and choices, and I am undressing fear from me head to toe. With help, I am putting on love’s influence in real and, for me, courageous ways, beginning with loving myself. Like valuing and practicing your Present Principle daily which gives me a better daily path, like giving more of myself to my friends and being a good listener; like love for strangers in my city, giving an encouraging smile, a surprise greeting or cup of Joe. My word Prosper means I am now developing talents and passions that have laid dormant for years in fear’s locker-room, talents like professional drumming, commercial boating and community volunteer leadership. It also means recovering from my current unemployment, building up some savings, stabilizing and having more to give to others when opportunities come by me. Prosper for me is waking up from slumber and being present, alert and alive this year and from now on.
@claire #gratefulforyou #muchlovetoyou
Shawn Lanham
Mission Bay San Diego, CA
Thanks for this post, and for the word “Prosper” – it resonates for me and so it will be become my word for 2013.
I love this idea of one word to focus and direct you for the year! There are so many things out there these days to ‘distract’ from a goal or task and something as simple as a word (packed with meaning!) is a great personal resource.
My word is FORWARD.
I’ve found myself personally and professionally feeling uninspired and bored. My natural instinct used to be ‘opportunities are everywhere’ but recently I feel stuck in the same routines. Whatever I do this year needs to move me (physically, spiritually, professionally) forward. Thanks for posting!
I love the idea of focusing on one word! I was thinking of “BEGIN” but “FORWARD” perfectly describes what I need! Thanks Janet ! And Claire of course 🙂
Ooh I love this so much. My word is fulfillment.
I’m focusing on paying attention to what feeds me intellectually and interpersonally. I’m walking away from things that aren’t fulfilling and (once again) redefining success. I have 4.5 years left to live with my daughter, there’s no reason to be anywhere but here, there’s no reason to strive for more than what I already have. I already have it all. In 2013 I’m focused on enjoying the fulfillment of my dreams and finding ways to learn and grow without abandoning the very good things that are in front of me.
My word is ‘trust’. I have such issues with that one word. Rest is a good word though. I need to keep that in mind for next year! Thanks for your blog!
Mine has to be Time – I have a particular love of that word though these days only tend to see it after it has passed me by. So more our time and less work time wouldbe excellent.. I can dream!
Claire, great word.. I’m looking forward to reading more about this in future posts.
Be great to see how you incorporate “Rest” in your Present Principle morning routine… Blessings to you, Claire as you go about seeking “rest” in your day.
Ian
My word is declutter. I’ve joined a group challenge to get rid of 40 bags in 40 days during Lent and it’s been amazing to see how getting rid of clutter in my physical environment frees me from distractions.
direction. to get rid of the niggle (does it go?) and know that where I’m heading is where I’m meant to go.
My word for the year is discombobulated…..no real reason for it except I just think it’s a fantastic word 😉 Great blog again Claire……
My word for the year 2013 is – Being. Focusing more in ‘being’ over ‘doing’
Simplify
My word of the year is NO…It is a word that can keep you from overcommitting yourself…keep you from doing things that you really do not want to do…keep you focused on your personal and professional goals. 2013 is the year of NO for me!
LOVE IT!
Redemption. Looking to atone for my past mistakes.
Yes, Claire, I did choose a word for 2013: Surrender. We’re near the end of the first quarter of 2013, and so far I’m only doing a so-so job of remembering. You’ve inspired me to re-visit my reasons for choosing it!
Kudos to you for choosing rest. I really believe we should think of it as a spiritual discipline. I just wrote a little book on Christian spiritual formation that covers a number of disciplines, and I regret that I didn’t include a chapter on rest. Disciplines such as solitude and prayer are wonderful, but I think rest deserves a special discussion all to itself.
Thank you for everything you do so well. I appreciate you.
Better not tell Sheryl Sandberg your word – I’m sure it is not in her book! LOL
To Claire and everyone reading this!
My word for the year and every year, “Abundance”. 😉
Deuteronomy 28:11
New International Version (NIV)
11 The Lord will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.
I like the word “simplicity.” Prevents me from being too analytical. Keeping things simple is whats going to organize my new career. Good reading
The word: Zumba.
What it means: I will fortify my wobbly ankles. I will strengthen my bad knee. (I may eventually even be able to do it without my knee brace.) I will dance. (I love to dance.) I will get limber and toned. And maybe I will even get coordinated.
Or, as we used to say to Youngest Child, when he was a toddler and it was cute to watch him shake his diapered butt: “BOOGIE OOGIE!”
My four word is Employed. In this year of my graduation, I really want to find a job either in professional service accounting firm or investing companies.
RED – that is my word of the year – to me it means being out there and living the life I want to live and not being afraid of saying no or saying yes and being able to employ my own boundaries. It is a very bold way to live but it is the only life I have and I want to live it in the way I wish, even my diary this year has a red velvet cover………
I like it. Good Luck!!
Good thought. And really nice idea to select a word for the year and follow it. As we know, we are using sun glasses when going out in sunny day and reading glasses while reading…. My idea is to add a line to your “word” every day and by the end of the year you will be having 365 lines.
And then read it or better say analyze it at the end. We will come to know more about our nature or mood swings and our actual reaction to the action (selected word). This will be really helpful in shaping up our self with our “word”.
And at last one can share his rich experience with others…. say “My 365 lines with “REST”.
Many thanks. Manish.
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BE.
Hi Claire
This inspired me so much that I mentioned it to our staff on the team blog. My word is growth – we had a hard 2012 so I want 2013 to be the year of growth for our company and its staff – like Spring and its new beginnings as well as growth for me personally by learning something new, expanding my knowledge and experience. Our staff have embaced this idea and have put forward their words – stability – belief – nurturing – persevere – focus – aim…together with growth, I think 2013 will be a fabulous year. Thanks for the inspiration.
My word is struggle, it’s my life in Ukraine
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