Every January many people set new intentions for the year to come. They may set goals, make resolutions, or choose a word for the year. I had heard about this practice from many places, but really got down to it when my best friend, Barbara, encouraged me to find my word by sharing hers and the process it took to do so.
When Barbara shared her word of the year, flourish, she explained that she intends to flourish in all aspects of her life. She might ask herself before she sets upon a new path or adventure, “Will this help me flourish in my life?” Her word will help guide her in making decisions that have her flourishing. BTW, flourish is defined as: to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment. So, will she flourish if she goes to yoga three days a week? Will she flourish if she gathers her family regularly for dinners together? Will she flourish if she and her husband spend a month in the South of France? Want to choose flourish for your word of the year??
Although I love that word for Barbara, I did not start January connected to the idea of flourish. In fact I might have chosen something along the lines of unsettled, or confused, or anxious even. I usually know where I am, where I want to go, and how I want to get there. But not this year.
When I asked my daughter if she had a word for the year, she immediately responded with, cherish, then quickly added, and vibrant. She went on to explain she wants to cherish her life as it is at this moment. As a newlywed, a new homeowner, and a part of a closely knit friends group, she wants to cherish each moment. She wants to feel present in her interactions with others and cherish them. Her choice of vibrant gives her decisions direction. She wants to live a vibrant life, full of energy and enthusiasm. When she thinks of future activities, she’ll ask which ones make her feel vibrant or fit into her vibrant life.
I love that both Alexis and Barbara spent time deciding how they wanted this year to go. They chose their words and began to manifest the life they want for themselves. To tell you the truth, I’m jealous. I tried to think of a word that closely aligned with a focus I had for myself this year, but could not. While struggling to find the perfect word, I asked my husband if he had a word for this year. He immediately came back with content, and it is such a perfect fit! He has always been a go-getter, always striving to do better, or be better. And the idea that he will strive to be content with all that he has, and all he has done to get here is amazing!
I think the word that resonates most strongly with me is wonder. I don’t love that as I’d really like to have clarity, but I don’t right now. So I’m going to embrace wonder. I wonder what will happen with my real estate career. I wonder if my brothers and I will purchase another house. I wonder how many buyers and sellers I will help with their real estate goals. I wonder if I will ever shoot under 100 at Coyote Hills. And I also wonder where I will travel this year.
Although wonder does not lead me to manifest the direction I want my life to take, it does help me to ponder decisions. It helps me to clarify what is on my mind and to pursue ways to answer my questions. Just spending time being unsettled and confused has led me to wonder, and I hope very soon it will lead to clarity. Clarity will be my goal, and I wonder how long it will take me to get there.
Do you have a word for 2023? I’d love to know yours and how you decided on it. Send me an email and share it. I wonder if you will.
So many good things,
Diana
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