Word of the Year

[faerywings]

So there have been a few scattered threads mentioning the Word of the Year. Its seems like a really neat concept.
I thought I would make a single thread with the links and maybe we can help each other with our words and goals.
And if perhaps any of the designers read this and want to do some word art.... how cool would that be? Just sayin'

Here is the sign up for the Discovery Tool:
http://www.christinekane.com/word/wordoftheyear.html

Ezine:
http://www.christinekane.com/currentezine/

Christine Kane's Blog:
http://christinekane.com/blog/

 

[faerywings]

Ok and now is the very self-serving part for me.....

I need some help with my Word!!!!!!
Can i brainstorm/ramble a bit? Ask for some input? I'd be more than happy to return the favor.

The words I am thinking about are Kindness, Gratitude, Joy. Peace keeps popping into my head as well.

My biggest issue in my attitude is that i tend to end up playing martyr, and I get bitter and resentful of having to "do it all" for my family. In that respect, Kindness is a good Word. If I can learn to take care of my family with an attitude of Kindness... then its like FLY Lady says- blessing your family and home b/c you love them.

Gratitude-- that goes into my thoughts of being grateful towards the things I have in life- but is it powerful enough? I mean, will I have to force myself to be grateful to be folding socks?? But at the same time, being grateful to what is provided to me, but he Universe is kind of how my personal philosophy is.....

Joy. *sighs* Since Gary got sick in 2003/4... there has been so little joy. You know- that pure happiness that permeates your heart and soul. When we were in Disney it was there, but it is so elusive in "real life." Drudgery takes over, and then the bitterness too.....and worry and stress.... they are all "Joy Suckers."

I know only i can decide....but any thoughts?
How did you decide your Word?

 

[LaurieW]

I haven't decided- but thought of discover- read through the work sheet in the link, and need to keep thinking- a also thought of self-love and confidence (or lack there of on my part- I fake it well)

 

[petey111]

Thanks Chris! I will need to check this out!

 

[LSlycord]

Chris, what a great idea to start this thread! I like your thoughts...I'd love to think of you having Joy for your word in 2011 but it almost seems like maybe some of the other words need to come first so that you can get that Joy on a more consistent basis. I can't imagine that you need more kindness! I understand what you are saying about the martyr complex...I can fall into that trap myself...but I don't believe that you are lacking kindness. So that could be a good word...because you're already there...it might help you recognize how successful you are already with that.

Seriously, I think that the word peace is the word that I would wish for you. You have such trying circumstances...and I'd love to see 2011 be a peaceful year for you! Just that deep peace that comes from within no matter what the circumstances.

Ok...I've rambled enough. Hope I haven't overstepped boundaries...I love you girl! And I hope that you have an awesome 2011!

 

[Merkee]

This will be a wonderful thread to watch, thanks for starting it.

Chris, I don't know how to help you choose your word but I'd like to say something about Joy. Joy rarely just happens and is a choice we make. You can perceive joy in anything, even our trials. The socks you mention in gratitude for example, yes it's a mundane chore for a simple thing but you can choose to be joyful that they are soft or that they make your feet feel so good and keep your toesies warm or that you had fun the day you went shopping for them.

I do not like doing laundry but I love the feel of warm clothes out of the dryer. Sometimes I will just drape a towel over my shoulders and savor the warmth it brings. This is a small joy. There could be lots and lots more reasons for something so simple to be a joy and bring a smile. It can be a very short lived joy but look for the little joys in your day to day. ((hugs))

 

[LSlycord]

Merkee...I love your post. What wisdom! And I love warm towels from the dryer!!!

 

[faerywings]

You ladies never stop amazing me with your wisdom and love!!! I have such warm fuzzies reading this right now.
I just *heart* you all so so sooo much!!!!

Linda S- What you wrote means the world to me. You have said to many times that you are glad to be my friend. I feel the same about you.

Merkee- What you wrote-- wow. That hit me. *That* is my lesson/theme. I am going to choose Joy as my word. I think I have missed that point in my life. Joy can be in anything- i feel joy right now being here at the O. Reading what my amazing "imaginary" friends say to me. Knowing that my O-fam rocks..... Joy can be little or it can be big. The big stuff, like being at Disney- that's easy to feel. Its the little joys that are harder, and that's what I have to look for.

Thank you my friends!!!

 

[LaurieW]

Great Chris- what a wonderful word. I'm still pondering- but think it may be discover.

 

[faerywings]

Laurie-- TY!
Discover sounds great! It has so many possibilities! That might be one that i can shoot for next year- this year I want to focus on opening my heart- next year- my mind!

 

[faerywings]

And reading back over your previous post, Laurie, Discover could also be self-discovery

 

[mei74]

Chris, thanks for the motivation! And link. I've been thinking about my word for a few days. Still got a few contenders, but I will be back with my pick! Great idea.

 

[helenh]

Oh I just love this idea Chris...TFS!

I am off to do some reading and will be back.

Thanks again.

 

[LaurieW]

So I have decided to use the word discover- and each day discover something- today I have discovered that I can work on clearing the clutter!

 

[clarabear]

this is a fabulous post and i need to do some reading when i am not on my phone. i have some thoughts but haven't done any reading yet so i want to hold off putting anything down yet. i am motivated by your words chris and by your openness to share your reasons why you were stuck. i'll be posting here tomorrow for sure.

 

[faerywings]

Good for you Clara! Post or pm me if you need any brainstorming help.
I also read a blog post of Sally's and she is doing a 52 New (New 52??) project of peppermint's- one new thing a week. i had been thinking about trying one new recipe a week, so I might extend that a bit and combine doing one thing to bring me joy a week.

we'll see!

 

[LaurieW]

I think I am going to combine new52 and 52 weekends- into one album!

 

[LaurieW]

oh and here is my layout for one word!

 

[petey111]

Ok ladies. Chris - I am so impressed by your conscious effort to change things. It will be great to watch you grow this year. And Linda and Merkee you two have such wisdom to add. I know that the rest of you will have great ideas as well.

I think I have chosen the word Freedom. A lot of times I feel guilty about things and I let it rule what I am doing and how I am feeling. I hold on to things, both physical and emotional, and it holds me back. So my word for the year is freedom. Last night, I didn't feel so great with my cold. I really should have been cleaning up, but I didn't. I thought about my word "Freedom" and let it go. I didn't obsess over the fact that I didn't get my chores done. I gave myself the freedom to sit on the couch and rest. I think freedom will come into play in many ways this year.

 

[faerywings]

laurie- what a fab lo!!!! I can't wait to hear how you discover so much this year.

Sara- ahhh! Freedom is a great word!!!! Good for you!! Guilt imprisons us in so many ways. Let go!!!!! yay!!!

Merkee- I took your advice and thoughts- holding them close to my heart. One of my peeves is that no one ever (ok- 99.9% of the time) sets up the coffee pot. So most mornings, if I forget to do it the night before, I grumble my way through setting it to brew. This morning, I breathed in the coffee as i set it up- what a great smell! That little bit changed my attitude so much, it was like--- ahhhhhhhhh, coffeeeeee, instead of @*&%&$ No one made the coffee for me

 

[LSlycord]

Love that layout Laurie!!! Really, really LOVE it!!! And, Sara, I think Freedom is great! I soooo get what you are saying. And Chris, totally love that you smelled the coffee this morning! What a neat way to add the joy back into life!

 

[clarabear]

the more i read the more i want derek to step on the gas and get me home so i can read all about this...and the 52 New thing? I get so out of the loop during the holidays. the word that keeps popping into my head is adapt but since i haven't done any reading yet this may change completely.

sara - i am loving your word freedom and that goes so well with the word adapt.

i wanna be home laying in bed or even on the couch watching a movie with my family going through some websites and ideas. i cannot wait to see what this concept of one word can do to change our lives this year.

 

[Merkee]

Merkee- I took your advice and thoughts- holding them close to my heart. One of my peeves is that no one ever (ok- 99.9% of the time) sets up the coffee pot. So most mornings, if I forget to do it the night before, I grumble my way through setting it to brew. This morning, I breathed in the coffee as i set it up- what a great smell! That little bit changed my attitude so much, it was like--- ahhhhhhhhh, coffeeeeee, instead of @*&%&$ No one made the coffee for me

Way to go Chris! Been there done that. It's an effort a lot of times for me too but doesn't that start your day so much better? I love that you have decided to use Joy as your word.

 

[cellomom]

wow...wow...wow!!! what a powerful thread!!!

I have to say that I took some time to look back and see if I picked a word for the year last year (2010) and I am going to say that the word "HOPE" picked me. The focus of my handcrafted business is to inspire hope...my goal when I spend time with people (offline or online!) is to share hope...and I, for sure, needed to be encouraged many times throughout the year with that word...yep, my word for 2010 was definitely HOPE.

For 2011, I am still concentrating on that word and it's full meaning; but while dwelling on that, my attitude is soooo greatly affected with the word, thanksgiving. Just like you said, Chris!! This is what a word for the year means to me...something you can go back to and meditate on and it affects your very soul with that meditation! So I know I may sound like a broken record, but if not for gratitude, my life would be dismal and I would be one cranky girlie...

I love all of your words!!! I love the inspiration this thread brings...and most of all, I love the hearts of you guys! Just having a goal to better our lives is so powerful!!

did i mention i'm loving this thread?????

 

[helenh]

That is a great LO Laurie!

I am loving this thread....trying to get "go with the flow" into one word! LOL!

 

[nininano]

Tomorrow's post at my blog is a bout choosing a word to set the tone for the year!!!

...by the way.... mine is "RELEASE"!!

 

[petey111]

Helen - How about flexible? or adaptable?

 

[helenh]

thanks Sara .... its more on the 'letting go' side of things as I am such a control freak.

I am very flexible/adaptable ... but I want to be the one setting the course! LOL!

 

[petey111]

LOL I get it Helen!!!

 

[faerywings]

Nini-- can't wait to see your blog post- hook us up when its up

Helen- maybe release could be a good word for you too- as in releasing to the Universe, see where It takes you?