In Others’ Words: One Word
I am a one-word woman.
It’s been years since I made a New Year’s resolution — much less kept one. I mean, how can I keep a resolution when I can’t find my nice, new list that I wrote up oh-so-carefully?
2014 will be the ninth year that I focus on one word for twelve months. And yes, I know what my word is. But before I share my word for 2014, let me walk down the one-word memory lane:
2006: gratitude - I kept a gratitude journal and found my “glass-half-empty” attitude revolutionized.
2007: simplify - A severe illness turned this word into survival. I embraced simpler things in ways I never imagined.
2008: content - as in “be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5) I bought a lot less that year!
2009 & 2010: forgiveness - I had a lot to learn and unlearn about forgiveness.
2011: hope - A word I clung to when life hurt or when my heart ached for others who were hurting. There were times I could have asked “Why?” Instead, I asked myself, “Are you going to abandon hope?” My answer: No.
2012: trust - During a year of change, I faced doubting versus trusting — and chose to trust. I also began posting trust quotes on my Facebook page to encourage myself and others.
2013: confidence – I feel so much stronger emotionally after keeping my heart and mind set on “not throwing away my confidence.” (Hebrews 10:35-36) And yes, I continued the tradition of posting confidence quotes on my FB page.
Last year I read the book My One Word for the first time and loved the principles set out in this book. This quote from the My One Word blog on November 7th sums up the power of one word:
“Rather than making a list of all our faults, bad habits and regrets, then trying overhaul every aspect of our lives each January, what if we focused on God and just one thing at a time – trusting Him to do the work He’s initiated and promised to complete?”
CHANGE IS POSSIBLE, BUT FOCUS IS REQUIRED.
So what’s my word for 2014? Think. It’s based on Romans 12:2-3 (NAS):
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
I’m still looking for my visual — that’s how it works for me: scripture, word, and then a visual of some sort. I’ll keep you posted.
In Your Words: So what do you think about New Year’s resolutions versus choosing one word? Which one works for you? And if you chose a word for 2013 — or know what your word is for 2014– I’d love for you to share it.
Changing – One Word at a Time Click to Tweet
The Power of One Word + One Year Click to Tweet
What’s Your One Word for 2014? Click to Tweet
I’m ready to celebrate 2014 — but I need your help creating a downloadable calendar of quotes. My newsletter subscribers will receive a PDF version of the calendar – and 5 subscribers will receive a customized calendar and a copy of one of my books. Go here for more information.
