Saturday, January 4, 2020

Word for the Year - 2020

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: You know the broke and woke meme? The former is passe, the latter au courant. Well, after reflecting on wants, needs, what works, what doesn't, I think all of us are ready to say:

Broke - New Year's Resolutions
Woke - a word for the coming year!

Jenn's going to start us off because she encapsulated it so perfectly.

JENN McKINLAY: I don’t usually make resolutions because I’m too contrary to keep them, but I do try to pick a word for the year and set an intention to use the word as a guide. Not surprisingly, when the hooligans were little and shenanigans were rampant, my word was “patience”. I did a lot of meditating on that one, let me tell you. 

Especially when they thought it was hilarious to throw all of their colored street chalk over the block wall into the neighbor’s newly remodeled swimming pool. Yes, I made them don suits and goggles and dive for every last bit. Or the time they thought it would be a real knee slapper to ambush the mailman. I caught them in their hiding spot with a cooler full of water balloons just as he was coming around the corner. Mercy! 

I was having a tough time picking a word this year. So many to choose from and it has to last a whole year! But then, on Christmas, I was baking my usual apple pie. Same recipe I’ve used for years but, weirdly, the amount of sliced apples seemed to have doubled and I ended up making two pies. With the cost of college coming at us hard and fast, I figured this was my sign and that my word for 2020 was “ABUNDANCE”. Let all good things come in abundance this year like a surprise extra pie. Wishing you all abundance in 2020! 

HALLIE EPHRON: Abondanza! I can get behind that!

But for me the word for the year would have to be ENERGY. More to kick projects into gear and keep them going. Write a new book. See to some house repairs. Bake. Hang out with my grandbabies. Right now both of them -- Franny is 6, Jody is 3 -- are here and bursting with said energy. Franny is starting to read and it’s so exciting to see her, reading aloud to Jody, the pair of them nestled together on the couch. 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Word of the year? FOCUS. Focus focus focus. I have so much to do, and it’s great, but  there are lots of shiny distractions and I am DETERMINED (may I pick that word too?) to do better and better and not only conquer my challenges but to ENJOY (picking that, too) it all, as much as I possibly can. Focus, determined, enjoy. And loving abundance and energy, too.  Wishing you all everything wonderful, dear Reds and readers!

LUCY BURDETTE: I’m in for energy and abundance too. However...to be concrete, I resolve to spend less time on social media so I have more time to READ. I love scrolling through Facebook and seeing what everyone’s up to, but the time goes by so quickly and then I don’t get my work done. And don’t get to the stacks and stacks of books on my nightstand and desk. So I guess my one word (actually two) will be CHOOSE WISELY

RHYS BOWEN:  My resolution? To learn to say NO. I hate to let anyone down so of course I’ll speak to your book club, come to your fundraiser etc etc. And when I’m run ragged I ask myself why did I say yes?  I have already resolved to do one book every 9 months instead of two a year I want down time just to be, to enjoy family, friends and the beautiful world around me. I don’t want my one word to be no, so I think I’ll choose APPRECIATE. I want to be grateful for every minute I’m given.

LUCY: Rhys, that would be perfect for all of us, I think!

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I am all on board with everyone’s words! Energy, focus, abundance, appreciation. To those I think I would add DISCIPLINE. I am so easily distracted by shiny objects, I already have made more commitments than I probably should, and I don’t want to get so frazzled that I forget that I actually ENJOY what I do. 

JULIA: I've been thinking a lot about my theme for the year. Last year, I realized I had loads of things I wanted to accomplish in my life, mostly professionally, some personally. I want to write a book in a year - and turn it in on time! I want to expand my social media presence. I want to stay on top of the demands of this old house, and I want to get back to exercising and swimming regularly because I am so done with joint pain.

As you all know, I started working with Celia on organizing my life, and as part of that process, I spent a lot of time thinking about what I did that worked, and why - and the many ways I stumbled, and why that happened. I've had some terrific talks with Jessica Crockett aka Jessica Ellicott of The Wickeds, who is the Time Management Queen of New England. So reflecting on all I managed to get done this past year (and the stuff I half-assed or missed altogether...) I've decided my word for the year will be SCAFFOLDING.

I know, it's weird. But I feel I still have a lot of work to do to get systems in place that support my goals and to make them study enough so I don't slip off and wind up spending a whole day reading the news online or starting and stopping a half dozen housecleaning chores. I need scaffolding before I can restore my beautiful building (in this metaphor, my life is the building) and that's what I'm going to FOCUS on this year.

How about you, dear readers? Do you have words, themes, resolutions? Share them with us in the comments!

88 comments:

  1. I’m wishing everyone a year filled with wonder and delight. May it be a very good year . . . .

    There are so many good words, several eloquently expressed here. For myself, I’m choosing GRATITUDE. It’s easy to take things for granted, so I want to remember to be grateful for the good things that fill my life: flowers, family, friends, books, dreams, hugs, laughter, love . . . .

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    1. Joan, I gave gratitude journals to several young women in my life this Christmas. It sounds woo-woo and hokey, but it's been proven that practicing gratitude improves mental health, which in turn, of course, effects physical health.

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  2. Lots of excellent words and intentions here. I think my word for 2020 is RENOVATION. I've become addicted to HGTV and have a lot of plans for renovating my house. Not adding a room, but making it more functional, adding a piece of furniture here, removing a piece that doesn't work there, rearranging what's left. Kind of like revising my manuscript, which I'm about to start doing on Monday. Rearrange what I have and love so that it works better, ditching the excess.

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    1. As SCAFFOLDING, I'm with you on RENOVATION, Annette. It makes sense on so many levels.

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  3. All fine choices, with great reasonings behind them. Including Joan's gratitude.

    Jenn, in 1998 I was at about the same stage in motherhood as you were, with two kids in high school, or about to be. We were adding to to our house that summer, and lots of things were going on, with the kids, with our living space, and with both my and my husband's businesses.

    I went to a gallery with some friends and was absolutely struck by a simple watercolor of a bowl full of fruit, with a Lacy hat, sweating pitcher of cold beverage, and billowing curtains. At the end of the visit I stopped in the shop to see if maybe there was a print. The lady minding the shop said they only had one print and she pulled it out. Yes, that was it. And it is titled "Abundance". It's been hanging in my kitchen for most of that time since.

    That was my word for a long time. I think this year it's going to have to be Renewal. The last couple of years have been so busy, and so filled with anxiety that I think I need to stop, smell some roses, and renew my spirit.

    Thanks for this space in which to consider this issue, because I had not yet taken the time for this much introspection.

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    1. Glad to help provide a supportive place where we can all to think and talk about where we want to be in the coming year. RENEWAL sounds like an excellent theme word, Karen.

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    2. That print sounds beautiful, Karen, and clearly it was just waiting for you. I feel that we are trained from a young age to look at life as a constant lack (I blame Madison Ave) so I want to flip the script and see where life is overflowing - because it usually is, even if it's just laundry. LOL.

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  4. Much to consider. But I'm already late for my seven AM sacred writing hour, so will be back later in the morning to add my thoughts. (See, I'm exercising focus, discipline, determination, and the abundance of words already!)

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    1. Holy cow, Edith, if you're up before 7am on Saturday to focus on writing (I'm assuming the hour is sacred, not that you're copying Sanskrit rolls) I think you've left most of the rest of us in the dust already. You get to teach the next class in "how to get it done."

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    2. Happy to! Seriously, I'm writing every morning at seven except Sunday. Even I need a day of rest. ;^)

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  5. For many reasons, I'm back to PATIENCE for the year. Seems like I should always start with that one, coupled with GRATITUDE.

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    1. Liz, if I recall correctly, you still have kids at home, yes? In which case, PATIENCE is always the word of the year...

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    2. One at college, one getting ready to graduation high school.

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  6. I’ve been reading and enjoying this blog and all of the commenters for years, but rarely comment myself. So my word for the year is ENGAGE— not just here, but in everything. I might have overdone hygge the last few years, and now I’m feeling the need to get out and do more.

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    1. We'd love to see you as a more active member of the community, Cindy! I also think of ENGAGE in terms of Star Trek: The Next Generation, where Jean-Luc Picard used that word (usually while pointing ahead) to order the Enterprise forward into the next adventure!

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    2. Welcome to the party, Cindy! There's always room at the table for one more!

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  8. It's snowing hard, my neighbor is still in the hospital and his wife is getting frailer, fighting some upper respiratory disease, so I've spent the past two days with Andy, being his advocate and his nurse on an understaffed unit. Toby hobbles along, but he still has congestive heart failure, and this won't end well. Not sure that Andy's plight will end well, either.

    So as fabulous as all your words are, I think mine for the year, if I have to pick just one, must be STRENGTH.

    Strength to face whatever I'm to face. And I'm thankful Julie is retired and able to hold the fort while I go off and play nurse advocate, family go-between, holder of the basin when he's sick, the urinal when he has to go piddle, the spoon when he won't eat.

    And I thought I'd retired.

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    1. Sending hugs of strength, Ann. You're getting a lot of heaven points.

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    2. Ann, I've seen a few nurses who should have been anything but a nurse. But for nurses like you, there is no retirement. It's ingrained in your spirit to be kind, to be gentle, to remember the dignity of the person who needs help, to have compassion. Sending you a little strength to help you through.

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    3. Thank you Edith and Flora

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    4. I’d add Compassion to your strength, Ann, with the caveat that you apply it to yourself. Hang in there.

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    5. Ann, what a blessing you are, and not only to your neighbors. Thank you for letting us see some of your life. You're asking for strength, and from our many homes around the country and beyond, Please believe that we are sending strength to you. We don't get much training for retirement. Most of our lives have a frame to the various stages. Then comes retirement. You are offering us a model for living, thank you.

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    6. Ann, you are giving a gift that only you can bring to your neighbors' lives. Compassion, care, and love, and the use of your best talents, which I know include your charming sense of humor, as well. That is equally important and much appreciated, I'm sure.

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    7. We'll all wish strength for you as well, Ann. I've also found - as I'm sure others here have - that being there for the ill or dying is also a privilege and a blessing. It doesn't make the work any easier or the burden lighter, but it is there.

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    8. Ann, if more people were like you, the world would be a much better place.

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    9. Ann, you are a wonder. Having an advocate in healthcare is so important. Hugs.

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    10. Echoing Julia - the many hours I spent with a dear friend last year on her path to dying meant so much to me.

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  9. Reds, all of your choices were inspiring. I've been dealing with disabling fatigue for a year and a half and joint pain for a year. I finally have a competent rheumatologist (my third) so I am hoping to get answers and solutions soon. In the meantime, my word is DETERMINATION. I understand now why people give up, but instead of giving up I am determined to continue to fight for answers. (It's what Captain American would do!) I am determined to learn to pace myself so I can get through the work I need to do for teaching, even if it means cutting my workload a little. I am also determined to ask for help when I have no energy left to get anything done around the house. I can do it!

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    1. Wonderful, Cathy! Maybe you need what my daughter gave my husband when he was ill - and he was first diagnosed with Fibromyalga, which I'm sure is one of the possibilities your rheumatologist is considering - a toy Captain America shield. If Cap can do it, you can, too!

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    2. Hi Julia. Yes, Fibro is one of the possibilities. I definitely need a Cap shield! Thanks for the idea. :)

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  10. Like Karen, this post has opened a small window in which I can review the past year and look ahead to the coming days and months of a new year. All of the words resonate with me--the need for more energy, focus, a wish for and gratitude for abundance. But I think I most identify with Julia's need for a strong scaffold--so many unexpected responsibilities were thrust upon me last year, that there was almost nothing left for me--not time, not energy, sometimes not even hope. So my word is Determination. I am determined to build a scaffold strong enough to protect me--that will give me room to breathe, to do the things that are important to me. Two nights ago, I wrote 638 words in a novella that is almost finished. And in that small accomplishment, I could see that more small chunks of time could be equally productive. And I am determined to finish it.

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    1. Way to go, Flora: small chunks of time well spent add up to things getting done. I’m a big believer in ten minutes here and there as a way of working through whatever’s on my list.

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    2. Flora, for years and years, the hardest thing for me to do was put myself first - even when what I was doing was bringing in the bulk of the family income. And of course when the unexpected happens - illness or death, a new child or a new job - it becomes even harder. I've become convinced that scheduling time for my own needs (writing, research trips, reading) helps keep those activities going even when the unexpected falls through the roof (like a daughter returning home to live with her dog and cat!)

      Congrats on your 638 words. As someone told me, even one sentence is more than you had yesterday.

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  11. As I read these wonderful comments this morning 2 new words: LISTEN and SAVOR

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  12. On your mark, get set, GO!
    1. query book #2
    2. ditch the pantsing and rewrite the plot for book #1
    3. write the first draft of book #3, with plot established in Kris Neri's class
    4. find all the short stories I've written since 2014 and put them in one file.
    5. my kids have now pitched or donated almost everything in my house (photos and books are left), and they are giving me pointed reminders that it's our turn.

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  13. Good morning everyone. There isn't a word offered above that isn't appropriate to my life right now. Which is going well on the whole. However I need to choose. I work to keep GRATITUDE in the forefront of my life; any other word is in addition; my word is PATIENCE. I went to the movies last night with Smithy and Youngest. I am so charmed that they have adopted me as an adjunct grandparent. But to get back to the point. We went to see Little Women; Youngest had never read the book, so we didn't spoil it for her. The reward was, she was captivated, and at the close promptly blamed her sister for not giving her the book at any past point. I loved being out with the sisters, watching the March sisters love and fight each other. But the place where Jo has lost her temper with Amy, with a frightening result, then Marmee finds Jo in tears, angry with herself over her loss of self control, really struck home. Marmee tell Jo how she works daily still to control her own temper. That description so fits me and that's why I will try to live with more patience this year. I think my JRW community will help me here.

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    1. I think almost any of us who have been parents recognize Marmee's words at that point, Celia. I know they rang true to me.

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    2. Same! Patience carried me for many years.

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  14. Love all these words and the stories that go with them. For me, I’m choosing OPEN — as in, be open to new opportunities and open metaphorical doors for others. My desire is for meaningful connections and work in my life, and an open mind and heart are necessary to see both when I they cross my path.

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    1. Amanda, OPEN is an excellent theme word, and I can think of a loved one to whom I might suggest this :-)

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  15. Isn’t this lovely to read? I love hearing from you all-how you’re thinking and examining your lives—it’s so sweet and open. And we have to be nimble too, with a strong core. But you know what, Reds? Let’s add CELEBRATE!

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  16. I can identify with a lot of these choices. I'm tempted to say my word is HEALTH, because that's been such a big focus in my life, but that feels too narcissistic. Instead I'll choose BREAD. Huh? You say. I'm thinking of a quote from one of my favorites, Ursula LeGuin, about how love needs to be created fresh every day, just like bread. It's a reminder to pay attention to my friends and fily, and especially my wife, instead of focusing on my own problems. I hope all of you succeed in making your words come alive this year!

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    1. Jim, I suspect HEALTH is a subset of BREAD, because an important part of the love we create every day is self-love: caring for and honoring our own needs. Which for many of us is health-related.

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  17. Beautiful words, all of them. I think Julia's comments on scaffolding and focus resonate most of all for me. Checking the NYT and Wa Po regularly for news updates and starting/stopping household chores--that's me. I do try to take inspiration from Winston Churchill's lovely quote: "You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks."

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    1. I may write those down and pin them above my computer!

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  18. I'm thinking my word might be BEAUTY. I love to look out my window at the beautiful view and I realize there is beauty everywhere you look; we just have to see it.

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    1. So true, Judi. I went through a deep depressive period in the first half of 2016, and the thing that pulled me though (along with medication and counseling!) was noticing the beautiful wherever I was. A piece on the classical station, pink clouds in the sky, snowfall - acknowledging the beauty around us is SO important.

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  19. I am so inspired by everyone's comments today. I will be rereading them as I try reflect a little more on my coming year. Julia's word certainly resonates! I, too, need scaffolding. I must turn in a book on time this year! I envy Julia the wonderful advice she's receiving from Celia and Jessica!

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    1. We need to have the two of them offer a virtual workshop, Debs!

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    2. I vote for that! A virtual workshop, yes!!

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    3. Debs, thank you, I think Julia may be exaggerating a little using "wonderful". Shame on her as a writer. Still I would be so happy to talk with you if you think it may be useful. Julia has my number. Also Jess and I live close enough that we probably could put something together if folk were interested. I know the tech is available. Just have to learn how to harness it for our needs.

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  20. My primary word for the year is REDUCE. Reduce the clutter, reduce the time spent with screens (the exception being my Kindle), reduce the amount of meats and sweets in my diet which will hopefully result in reducing my weight. The other word is RE-ENGAGE. Re-engage with friends I've lost touch with and hobbies I used to enjoy. There are wonderful words and ideas here today -- what a fabulous community this is!

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    1. Oh, I really like that one, Chris. I, too, would like to reduce. I even bought a box of hefty bags to encourage the pitching/recycling.

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  21. So many good, wise words. Mine is PREPARE. I want some major changes in my life to happen, mainly moving to some place that really calls to me. I’m pitching and donating stuff. I’m making note of house repairs to be done. I’m organizing our finances. I’m preparing to pass along my job as trustee for my little brother’s finances to a younger sibling. I am preparing to lighten the load so I can truly make the move in a year or more with no trepidation.

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    1. PREPARE! That's a word that will keep you pointed in the direction you want to go, Pat.

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  22. My word would be HARMONY. To cultivate harmony in my own life, in my space and surroundings and with others being family, friends or new acquaintances. I need harmony to be happy.

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    1. Danielle, that's lovely. We need more harmony-makers in our world today!

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  23. Shalom Reds and fans. I love all the above words. Like Lucy, I purposed in my heart to read more books and spend less time surfing the internet and social media. That said, my word is COURAGE.

    When I was at college in my early 30’s and a recent convert to Christ, a staff advisor from Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship encouraged me to memorize passages from the Bible. I started with Psalm 1 and made it to Joshua 1:6-9. In the latter verses, God commands Joshua to be strong and of good courage.

    Several years back, I stopped buying lottery tickets. It was not a financial decision. It was more that I started to look at the lottery as a form of idolatry. If it was not the idol of money, it was certainly the idol of chance. While I am relatively poor, I have never wanted of God’s abundant provision. I have seen this in the past; therefore, I should certainly expect confidently in the hour to come. So my word this year is TRUST.

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    1. TRUST is a powerful word, and one I've tried to pass on to my children, David. Joshua 24:15.

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  24. I think I've mentioned it here in an earlier post, but my word this year is "do." Instead of overthinking everything, borrow the Nike slogan and "just do it." Of course, that doesn't meant that certain trips and such won't get careful planning, but I want to do those trips and not just dream or talk about them anymore. I actually did some of this the last few months in 2019. A friend and I had talked about taking a short trip somewhere, and I made the reservations and we did it. I wanted to start going to the movies again some, and since our new movie theater has the reclining seats now, my husband and I went to a couple of movies and plan on going to one next week. I'm planning on attending Bouchercon in Sacramento because I've been wanting to see my west coast friends, so I'm registered and booked into a hotel. My big trip to England is what I really want to do this year, but I'm hitting a snag in who will go with me. I thought my daughter was going, but she's not sure now, so I may have to try and find someone else. And, that will take planning, including picking some brains here, especially Debs. I'm also trying to just get moving more, important to my health. If all of this sounds rather self-centered, I admit that it is, but having been told that I've got signs of the macular degeneration that my mother had is encouraging me to do some things now that may not be possible later. No need for feeling sorry for me. I may not have serious problems for years, or, if lucky, I may escape the worst of it. I don't have time to worry about what might or might not happen. Maybe my word should be "today," as in living in today, the present.

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    1. It never ceases to amaze me how many of us women will list a few things we want to do for ourselves and then apologize. Isn't it self-centered? Kathy, I'll bet cash money you won't find many men our age saying the same thing. I think your word should not only be DO but DO BOLDLY!

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    2. Kathy, why wait for someone to visit England. DO it.
      I went by myself in 2010 enjoying it a lot, visiting what interested me , taking the time I needed to take. If I had waited for someone to come, I may never have gone. GO

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    3. Julia, you are so right. After doing for my children and husband for years and years, and still doing for them, it's ridiculous of me to apologize for wanting to do some things for myself. I can't remember a single time my husband felt guilty about doing something he wanted to, or my kids for that matter. So DO BOLDLY it is. And, Danielle, I'm not opposed to doing trips by myself, and I do have some author friends in Englad I'm planning to meet up with, but when I squeal in delight at something, I like to have someone there. Hahaha! If a traveling companion for England doesn't work out though, I will consider going it alone.

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  25. I said I'd be back, and I finally am. I'm going with LISTEN. I have an inspiration for a new writing project, and I want to go deeper with it than I have with my current and prior books. I hope to listen and wait - what Quakers call "discern" - for the right story to tell. I can use some REDUCE on all kinds of fronts, too, but that one is more ambitious.

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    1. Edith, I love the Quaker approach to discernment. We could all stand to spend a little more time listening.

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  26. My word is TRANSITION. I have 2 new bosses at my job and am working hard to adapt to their wants and needs. I also turn 60 next month and am trying to decide when the time is right to move from my long term home to a different more cost effective place. Much to think about. Reading Jungle Red always gives me so many ideas to ponder. Thanks all!

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    1. TRANSITION seems like an excellent word, encompassing several other concepts like flexibility, openness and even enjoy!

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  27. Well, I've been thinking about this one since earlier this morning. What a great thing, a word for the year! I've never done one before, but I'm inspired by all the comments. The past year has been one with a lot of changes for me, big painful ones that were very necessary but difficult. And a big-year birthday (50! my goodness!). So, I'm stealing from Joan's comment at the top and choosing Wonder. Also, I'm taking Amanda's word as well: Open. As in, head up, heart open.

    And for those who want to more easily say "No" to things in order to focus on what they do want, a short piece of advice. This came from the whiteboard in my department at work where we all comment on a question of the week. One week it was "What is the best advice you've ever been given?" Someone answered, "No is a complete sentence." Yes, it is. Best of wishes for the new year!
    -Melanie

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  28. A single word? So many of the ones already mentioned have struck cord in me actually, they have all caused me to stop and ponder... Trust, harmony, prepare, abundance, focus, gratitude, energy, focus, appreciate, scaffolding, renovation, renewal, patience, engage, strength, determination, listen, open, celebrate, health/bread, beauty, reduce, re-engage, prepare, do...

    As many of may know, someone used a sledgehammer on my apartment door 5 weeks ago. Whoever it was, didn't get in but living behind a padlocked gate is no way to live. I'll try to make a longer story short: More than 2 years ago I was supposed to find a home to purchase, it didn't happen but now I need to feel safe or maybe safer in my home. After waiting those 2 years for my mother's estate to finally be settled I can honestly start looking with more than a wishful dream. I think my word, selfish as it might sound, is SELF-FULFILLMENT. While I'm at it I could try reducing, listening, and just doing.

    DOING! No one believed I would ever go on a long distance trip that didn't have family at the end of it but last year I did just that when I went to Bouchercon. I've lived a very home/family based, sheltered, self-protective life, I decided to give it a try and I had FABULOUS time, only got a little nervous once or twice.

    So think I need a sentence instead of a single word for this year: I want to have a fabulous year doing my best to focus on my needs so I fulfill my needs and dreams.

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    1. Self-fulfilment is not selfish, it is a requirement to live fully and to give forward.
      The step you took to Bouchercon was only the first, you can do what you need to and what you want to.

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  29. I think my word should be courage. Change is scary for shy introverts like me.... but an opportunity has just appeared ( literally yesterday) that could potentially take me from my home bakery to a real shop on Main St. Not sure yet how this will pan out but I will take any good luck and good vibes anyone cares to send this way.

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    1. When you ask, you receive
      Sending good vibes your way and luck and courage.
      Introverts rock, they can achieve what they want in their own time and way.

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    2. Sending good vibes because I am all about the baked goods.

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    3. Jennifer, more good vibes coming your way! There is nothing more wonderful than steping into a bakery....

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    4. More good vibes heading your way from me, Jennifer. Go for it!!

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  30. All of the words sound wonderful! A relative's word is CURIOSITY. My word is CALM. I need to stay calm and carry on, with everything going on in my life!

    Diana

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  31. My word is try. Try to be a better person, try to be patient, try to do more

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  32. My word is PEACE. When I did the Color Code at work, I was mostly White/Peace. We certainly need world peace more than ever. I've always valued peace in my personal life, also.

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  33. I hadn't chosen a word for this year and had almost decided to skip it until I read your post and all of the wonderful comments. I love focus and self-discipline and scaffolding because I need all of those this year for the writing and Bible teaching I plan to do in my off-work time. I've decided on MANAGE. I need to manage my time, my focus, my energy, my projects better.

    Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement, everyone. I love reading this blog although I've never commented before. It's a nice little corner of the internet. :)

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  34. My word for the year is INTENTION. I feel like too much of what I do is a reaction to what has happened and I want to do more in controlling the narrative. I want to live more intentionally.

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