Words....

Words....

Since 2007 I've picked one word - yes, I'm wordy so I  usually end up with two words every year - that help define who I am and the journey I'm on, during that particular time period. The words from the past include

2007 - Wonder & Seek2008 - Simplicity & Joy2009 - Dream & Hope2010 - Half-Full & See2011 - New & Renew
Sometimes a word "jumps" out at me, like "See" did, after reading Mary Beth Chapman's memoir Choosing To See. Others come through gentle (ok, sometimes not so gentle) nudges from God.

Each of the words, in their own way, have helped me focus on a specific lesson that I needed to learn.

It's funny though, some of the words - from past years - continue to pop up and remind me that just because they are an "old" word, doesn't mean they can't play a role in my life.

I've already begun to ponder what word will help me start 2012. I haven't made a final decision - oh I've tossed around a few words - but honestly, one hasn't "grabbed" me quite yet and said "start the journey with me."

So, if I asked you what word you might pick to describe your life right now, what might it be?

I posed that question to friends on Facebook, and the responses so far includes: "blessed," "thankful" and "magical."

It's kinda fun to watch the words come in and see who picks what - because they all kind of "speak" about who the person in, and things that have been going on in their lives.

One word can say a lot.

So, thanks to a couple of sources - and my old trusty thesaurus - I've come up with a list of words (pictured above as a wordle, and below as a random list.)

As a challenge to myself (and because Reverb11 isn't happening this year), I'm going to spend the next month looking at a few words - and use them to help "wrap up" 2011. I also hope it challenges my brain and helps me discover my word for 2012.

So, beginning tomorrow, I'll start "listening" to what these words have to say.

Who knows what lessons I might learn. I'm hoping it helps "renew" my spirit and help me finish 2011 with a bang!

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