If you read very many blogs you have probably seen a post of two about bloggers picking their Word of the Year. I think the whole idea was started by Ali over at aliedwards.
Last year I jumped on the bandwagon and declared a word of the year for 2009.
I dedicated a Christmas tree to the word…
and I also have the word inscribed on one of the walls of my home. Yes, my word was Joy.
I worked hard all year (and it was an especially difficult one in several ways) to find my Joy. It wasn’t always easy but I think I am a happier and more joyful person as a result of it. I dealt with difficult situations better and found joy in the small, simple things of everyday life.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and praying about what my word for 2010 should be. I wanted to make sure it was just the right word. The word finally came to me last Wednesday, a week into 2010, after attending a temple session.
My “word” of the year is ‘Re’. No, I don’t mean ‘Re’, the second note of a major scale or ‘Re’ the ancient Egyptian sun god with the head of a hawk; a universal creator; he merged with the god Amen as Amen-Ra to become the king of the gods or even ‘Re’ the element from the periodic table.
I mean ‘Re’ the prefix! The prefix which means again, back, repeat.
You see, as I pondered 2010, turning 50, and my goals for the next year and era of my life I realized there were not too many new things I wanted to do or accomplish.
But there were a lot of things that I wanted to return to, skills I wanted to refine or reclaim. People I wanted to reconnect with, things I wanted to rediscover about myself, places I wanted to revisit (and sometimes visit for the first time). And most important there were things I wanted to remember (and that can be difficult at my age sometimes!) And now that I am fifty I figured it was about time I learned how to relax!
See something in common with all those words? Yes, they all start with my word of the year, ‘Re’!
In 2010 I look forward to:
Refocusing my photography skills by taking a photography class (it started this week!)
Refresh my French language skills before my visit to Paris this summer. (those 8 years of high school and college French are a little rusty!!) Refresh my water color skills from college by taking a class before my trip to England so I can document the trip through photos and painting.
Read more books this year than last (o.k. so it’s not a prefix in that word but it is still ‘Re’) Reread the Book of Mormon (a yearly tradition for me)
Remake my bed everyday (Yes, that is a confession. I hate making my bed but I love the way my bed looks when it is made. I am going to make my bed everyday!)
Return to the homeland of my ancestors and do some genealogy research before I go so I can visit the places where they lived.
Remember all the amazing memories we have created as a family by finally having all my scrapbooks up to date! Check out Project Picture over at Homebased Scrapbooker for more info on this project.
Most importantly, I am going to Remember to Recognize the hand of the Lord in my life on a daily basis. Last year I started keeping a journal that I would write in each night or morning where I would record a way in which I had seen the hand of the Lord in my life that day.
Some days it was as simple as…”enjoyed a walk through Oak Hills today, beautiful fall foliage, sunshine and good friends.”
Other entries read…”our car doesn’t need the $700.00 of repairs we thought!”
I know that the Lord’s hand is involved in my life on a daily basis and I need to do a better job of remembering and recognizing that! Writing in this journal each day is a wonderful way to see his hand at work in my life. This year I will do better in writing daily!
There are several other ‘Re’ goals on the list but I won’t bore you with all of them.
So do you think ‘Re’ would look too strange engraved on a piece of silver hanging around my neck?
Do you have a Word of the Year for 2010? I’d love to know what it is!
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Last year my word was JOY as well.
This year it is “Be kind”
Mine’s a “re” word, too, Leigh Anne…
REJOICE!
My word is MORE, more loving, more forgiving, more time with family and friends, more nurturing to myself, and more giving of myself. I can hardly wait for what God has instore for me.
I have been so intrigued with your word of the year ever since I saw you first post about it last year. I love the notion! My word for this year is consistency. I need it in all aspects of my life—my parenting, my housecleaning, my exercise, my eating habits, my spiritual habits. I also started a notebook about the ways the Lord has blessed me in the day last year! I am amazed at what I recognize when I sit down to document. It has made a world of difference for me and how I can “see” the Lord’s hand throughout my days. And….I love your word! It encompasses so much. You are an inspiration! Thank you for thoughts and insight.
You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for your amazing blog. My day is never complete until I read it!
My word(s) is, “Living Beyond”
A happy belated birthday to you, Leigh Anne. May this be your best year ever. Even though we’ve never met, I love your blog…and your great ideas, delicious recipes and contagious zest for life has inspired me in many ways.
Last year, sparked by you, I chose a word of the year and that word was LIGHTEN. I really tried to focus on it throughout the year. I lightened up about the little things and tried to lighten my mood to allow for more spontaneity (think: more playing outside with my kids and less worrying about my piles of laundry). And I also lightened the load in our house – donating tons of clothes, toys and unwanted stuff to various local charities. It was a great word and having it as my guide all year was wonderful.
Now for this year, my word is going to be APPRECIATE. I am really going to try and APPRECIATE all the blessings I have in my life…my wonderful husband, my beautiful daughters, my kind and loyal sisters, my supportive parents and in-laws, my darling grandmother, my hilarious friends, my cozy home, my good health and my husband’s steady job. Rather than focusing on or complaining about all of the challenges that surround us – and there definitely are a few – I am going to put my energy toward APPRECIATING all the good things instead.
Here’s to a wonderful 2010!
I love your word “re” i really loved all your words that started with re….
My word came to be as i was writing in my journal, my word for 2010 is Happy. this year I choose Happy!
ps
i loved your birthday post!
Last year my word was Blessed. This year the word refocus and return have been coming up over and over. I need to focus more on what goes on in my home – my children, my relationship with my husband, my home itself. Plus I want to return to things I love – playing piano, regular scrapbooking and spending time with my friends. Seems like many of us have the same theme for the year!
This is my first year picking a word – mine is Clean. Clean house, Clean food, Clean mind (meaning positive).
I recently read about chosing a word for the year, so when I wrote out my goals this year, I included a theme word for the year. Inspire. I love to encourage others, and Inspire seemed like a perfect word to remind me on a daily basis. I found the word Inspire at a store, brought it home and spray painted it to match in my bedroom. Now it is the first thing I see when I wake up, and the last thing when I go to sleep. I’m finding it to be an amazing blessing.
Thanks for another great post! I love the idea of keeping a journal to record a way in which I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life that day.
I haven’t picked a word yet…
My word for the year is “abundance”. “My thoughts are from the abundance of my heart.” Reminding me that life is full of the abundance of joy, spirit, health, wealth, and love!!
Leigh Anne,
I was going to write you a note telling you how inspirational, enthisiastic and ambitious your goals are and then read such good suggestions from the others that I have to add that you attract an exceptional group of fans!
You’ve all inspired me to share a goal of my own…to REnew my relationship with my husband. It’s something I’ve been working on already to let him know how important he is to me. We will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary this year (1960 was an important year not just for you!) and we both marvel at the fact that the years have flown by so fast and that we have been blessed with five children and 26 grandchildren.
I am celebrating a renewal of my own as it was a year ago this week that I was diagnosed with breast cancer and just two days ago I got the word that I am clear, clean and healthy! I know that my Heavenly Father loves me.
and how fun that you’ll be cooking with “Ree” all year! 🙂 my word for 2010 is “simple” — not waiting for elaborate, or perfect or fancy, but just doing the simple acts that can make a big impact (lighting a candle, writing a thank you note, baking from a mix…). thank you for your inspiring posts and a belated happy birthday to you! what a wonderful party for a wonderful lady!! :DL
My word for the year is acceptance. Acceptance of myself and others, reguardless of flaws and shortcomings. Acceptance of my situation, whatever situation I may find myself in. Acceptance of the Lord’s will for me and my life.
My list could go on. But, my word is acceptance.
You’ve really helped me to get going with my goals this year. I think that hanging “Re” around your neck could only spurn conversation that will help you to inspire others. I thoroughly enjoy your blog…just so you know!
Forgot to mention…I won a headband and cameo a month or so ago, and I wear the cameo barrette all the time. Love it! Thanks again to you and to Lisa.
This is the first year having a word for our family and the word we have picked is: CHOOSE. I have seen so many bloggers throughout the past years have a word to focus on for the year and had to make it a new tradition!
Another great post!! Not sure how to RE mind yourself in a CUTE, classy way, but check out my word for 2010 on my blog. It’s FOCUS!
I like your word, especially how much thought you have already put into how to apply the word throughout the year.
My word is CONTENTMENT; I blogged about it here: http://gardengal1.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/contentment/
Last year my word was believe. This year it is joy.
I have so much trouble with people writing and pronouncing my name it has to be my word of the year
Carolyn
My word would be “loyal”. I have so many loyal, good friends who have helped me through my trials in life. So they have been loyal, forever friends who I can never thank enough for what they have done for me.
My word is “Faith”, I think when we have that in our life everything else kind of falls into place Thanks for sharing all your wonderful Talents with me! You are very contagious and look forward to reading your blog!
Hi Leigh Anne:
My word for the the year is “Fearless” because in reading over my journal from the last few years it is filled with doubts, worries, and second guessing myself in so many silly ways. I am sure many of us deal with these issues from time to time, but I had taken it to a level where I saw myself becoming unhealthy in so many ways.
I have signed up for classes, pushed my own boundaries (in a positive way) and have let go some baggage that has been keeping me in a place of anxiousness. It has not gone perfectly or even “fearlessly”, but I have seen changes and have tried to focus on that.
I have the word Fearless printed out in several fonts, in several colors and I have tucked them in various places around my office and studio, in my piles of stuff to sort through and in the car, refrigerator, computer screen etc. It has been the only way for me to have a daily reminder often enough so I can respond to my own goal.
It’s working!