Searching for my word
Searching for my word…
It’s a tradition I’ve never participated in. With the year coming to an end, many of my friends and acquaintances will be choosing a word to focus on during the 365 days of 2012. Granted, many of my friends are writers, so this may not be as common a tradition as it appears to me to be.
This year, I’ve decided to find my word. Some change in my life seems like a solid idea. Things haven’t exactly been going in the direction I’d like them to. This year has been filled with loss. Some loss of relationships, some realization of the fact that there never was a relationship to salvage, and much loss of security. I’ve struggled with fears and anxiety, disappointment and sorrow.
I’d like my word to be something like…HOPE. But I’m not convinced yet that this is the one.
2011 wasn’t all bad, and in the end, I still have an amazing husband and my children are healthy. So maybe GRATITUDE should be my word. I’m sitting here in my darkened living room, still able to write this post with the electricity out. There are so many things that I’m grateful for, and shouldn’t that be our focus every year?
I’ve watched helplessly as circumstances around me have taken seriously wrong turns with no way to stop the runaway train. Maybe SURRENDER should be my word…but maybe FIGHT would be better.
What about COMPASSION. There’s something this world is greatly lacking. I do hope I can be a person of compassion, FORGIVENESS, STRENGTH and MERCY. All wonderful words.
There are so many words to choose from. Each seems right in its own way. So I’ll wait a while and hope the right word makes itself known.
What’s your word for 2012?
Christina
Christina Suzann Nelson is an inspirational speaker and award-winning author of six books, including More Than We Remember, What Happens Next, and the Christy Award-winning The Way It Should Be. She is the mother of six children and is passionate about helping others find hope after trauma.
8 Comments
Donna Moore
I think I will use the word transformed. I hope to be transformed. For so many months I have slowly allowed outside forces to take over my life and priorities. I want to be transformed so that my focus is on God so my priorities will follow.
Christina
I love that one, Donna!
Jodie
Ooh! I like all of yours, Christina. And Donna, that’s a great one.
Mine came to me in a flash yesterday. I’ve never done this before either, but the minute I read Ronie Kendig’s post, mine hit me. Well, I think God hit me with it. Because He has been on my case.
Discipline.
Donna Moore
Discipline is another really good one. Evidently I must live under a rock because I have never heard of this tradition but I wrote the word transformed on a notecard and put it on my desk. Discipline is a great word Jodie. I wished I had thought of that one. Perhaps in my transformation I will magically become disciplined.
Sara Gelser
This is a beautiful post. I’m looking forward to next year when your life looks and feels safer than it does today…. Words I would hope for you in 2012— Resilience, Courage, Faith, Survivor…
and most of all, BELOVED. Because you are, even on the days it doesn’t feel like it.
Christina
Oh, Sara, you can always make me cry. Thanks!
grandma
I agree with Sara…those tears of yours can become joyful as you step outside the box and into the UNcomfort zone of trusting Him to lead you as His Beloved Child.
Love ya
Gail
I like the idea of having a word for the year. Something to keep me on track, focused. This past year, I’ve felt that God has provided everything that I’ve needed. Since I’ve been unemployed for a year, that’s big. I toyed with letting PROVISION be my “word of the year,” but this morning it smacked me upside the head. “PROVISION was really a word about me. I wanted a word about Him. I think that GLORIFY might be my word for 2012. GLORIFY will help me keep my focus in the right place. Thanks for the idea.