I’m a little late in sharing my 2017 Word of the Year. I even debated whether I should share it or even pick one this year. I started thinking about my 2016 Word of the Year and how I felt like I really hadn’t done a very good job in incorporating that word into my life.
2016 is a bit of a wild blur for me and I was feeling like I really didn’t accomplish much of what I had hope to do in regards to my Word of the Year, Create.
2016 started off a little rough for me with the unexpected death of my father. My son was married about a month later and it was a wonderful and joyous occasion but very busy time. My daughter and I decided to start a new business together which was fun, exciting and a little scary all at the same time and then I accepted the opportunity to write a cookbook during the last quarter of the year. This took a tremendous amount of my time and energy and brought along with it a lot of fears and anxiety as to whether I could really do it or not!!
I decided though that instead of focusing on all the things I didn’t accomplish like creating space in my home by getting it more organized (it actually got more disorganized), creating art by taking a watercolor and calligraphy class (neither of which happened), creating quiet in my life (I think I just ended up creating more noise!), I decided to focus on the things I did create this past year.
I helped create, along with my siblings, a beautiful and meaningful tribute to my father at his memorial service.
I created and put together a fun and memorable wedding rehearsal dinner for my son and his bride and put on a Barn Wedding Party here in Portland for them later in April.
My daughter and I created and kicked off a new company and product line. If you haven’t visited our store, 42 & Pine I’d love you to!
I created 100 new recipes for my cookbook which will be released later next year!
So even though I didn’t really create some of the things I set out to create, I did accomplish and create something.
So after a lot of thought, prayer and thinking about it, I did pick a 2017 Word of the Year.
My word is Thoughtfulness
1. showing consideration for others; considerate.
2. characterized by or manifesting careful thought : a thoughtful essay.
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Hi! My word is unstoppable. If I keep on trying then I will succeed. Hard work will make me unstoppable. Love your word. Being unstoppable also will make me a better mom, wife, daughter, and friend. Happy new year! I made your cinnamon roll cake for our son’s First Communion today.
I love your word ! Thanks so much for sharing it. Go be unstoppable girl!!
I don’t set resolutions and can’t recall that I ever have. I like the word of the year idea and with our current climate I particularly like the word you have chosen for this year. Just a smile can make someone’s day. When I’m checking out at a store I like to use the person’s name, smile and thank them.
I so agree with you Kathryn. It seems like everyone is always on their phones when they are in check out lines these days. I always make eye contact and at least say hi and thank you to the cashier, ask them how they are.
I just wanted to say, thank you Leigh for being so thoughtful. You are a true blessing to share all your lovely recipes with us, and my wish and prayer for you is to be blessed and keep on giving of yourself, because you inspire other’s to give of themselves, and you don’t realize how much that helps people, we are all put on this earth for some reason of the other and when you finally realize what that is, that in it’s self is a blessing, again thank you!
Marie, Thank you so much. Today is my birthday and your sweet comment was a lovely birthday gift.
One of the big events coming up in my life is the marriage of my daughter this summer. While the plans are going well, the lingering thought I have is how to style my Mother of the Bride dress. I have read all your blog posts and love the way you create wedding related events with care and detail. Have you ever done a post on the other “pretty” things, such as how to accessorize as a wedding guest or participant? I love a lot of the jewelry trends right now but want to make sure I don’t choose something I’ll regret looking back on the pictures. I’m also torn about wearing a simple piece of classic jewelry (diamond pendant necklace or strand of pearls). I have a feeling this is right up your alley……
Kate, Congrats on the upcoming wedding!! So much fun and work! I agree with you that especially with wedding attire it is best to keep it simple and classic. We have all looked back at photos and thought “What was I thinking!?” I vote for the classic jewelry.
Leigh Ann – I have so loved your word of the year and have incorporated it into my life the last few years thanks to you!
This year I had chosen the word purposeful which upon reading your 2017 word had similar components. However, thoughtfulness, I’ve decided can have a much more specific and even tender meaning. I’m trying to be more “fiscally” responsible so was going to make purchases on a purposeful basis. But then thinking about other aspects of life, I don’t just want to live purposely but do so with more thought, care and compassion. To actually want to visit teach!! Things like that. To always have “him” in mind and to take thought as to how he would want me to be/act and what he would have me do.
So thank you Leigh Ann for helping me refine my word to a higher level.
Susan, Thank you so much for sharing your word and thoughts. I loved the multi faceted properties of the word thoughtfulness and purposeful how it can effect and impact so many parts of our life. Purposeful is a beautiful word. here is to a more purposeful and thoughtful year!