Posted on by Angelina Lee

What’s your word?

A few years ago, I sat on a quiet beach with my family on one of the last days of the year. As we discussed our resolutions for the upcoming year, my father-in-law explained that he didn’t make resolutions, rather, he chose a word – a single word that represented what he wanted to achieve in the months to come. I remember how I felt when I heard this approach. It resonated deeply with me. I didn’t have to think long or hard in order to come up with my word for the new year. That was easy.

I wanted peace.

I had been so anxious, depleted and overwhelmed for so long that all I craved moving forward was a sense of balance and calm.

In the years since, I have heard many people speak about choosing a word for the new year. A word that would define their pursuits. A word that would represent their ambitions. And I think that this is great. I believe that once a word feels right and meaningful for you, then you should by all means pursue it.

Many times, the words that we select tend to be ‘doing’ words. They imply some action steps that we must take or some plan that must be followed. This year, however, I’d like to suggest some ‘being’ words. Words that leave room for improvement. Words that allow for growth. Words that acknowledge progress.

Words such as:
Becoming
Presence
Grace
Love
Intention
Kindness
Faith
Hope
Connection
Listening
Forgiveness

The list can go on and on, but these are some of my favourites.

This year, instead of planning what I want to do, I’m focusing on who and what I want to be. Not just for myself, but for those around me.

I want to allow myself to grow into my word. I want to forgive myself when I fall short of my word. And, above all, I want to encourage myself that I am worthy of my word.

What about you?
What’s your word?

** Special thanks to my dear friend for this amazing pendant. She has taken my vision and turned it into something beautiful that will serve as my daily reminder that life is less about doing and more about being. 

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18 Replies to “What’s your word?”

  2. I retired 18 mos ago and didn’t realize how depressed I would be, how at loose ends I would feel, how I had so few reasons to get up in the morning.
    This coming year is one in which I need to take action, but actions I choose. So, my word is CHOICE!
    If I want to stay in bed all day that is ok as long as I intentionally choose to stay in bed. But I hope that will NOT be my choice very often.
    I want to move to Dayton to be closer to the “kids”, so I have to work on filing our taxes from 2017 and 2018, and selling the house.
    I also have all the usual choices of a new year- better nutrition, sleep & exercise!

  3. Your pendant is beautiful! My word or words for 2021 would be authentic or true to myself. I’m such a people pleaser & have been trying to listen to what I want more for my life, lately. Wonderful concept of the one word resolution.

    1. Thank you, Linda. Authentic is such an important word. There is great freedom in authenticity, and listening to what we want more of in our lives is an important first step!

  4. What a wonderful concept. Thank you for such a great post. This one definitely has me thinking about what word to choose.

  5. Beautiful post and beautiful pendant😊 My word is ‘release’. I hope to release expectations and my somewhat forceful approach to self development! Thank you!

  6. Releasing. I want to stop holding on to those things I need to let go whether they be tangible or intangible.

  7. The pendant is beautiful!

    Here we each choose our own word of the day, then agree on a family word.

    This year my word is ‘limitless’, I’ve lived my life through a forest of expectations and a tangle of barriers and walls. Last year, during the “pause” I relearned how to live my life with fewer boundaries, this year I’m going to embrace limitless living fully and enjoy this exciting, terrifying journey, I will take time to reflect on the joy and peace I am certain I will feel.

    Our family word is ‘adapt’ this will serve us well in these uncertain times, our holiday plans aren’t cancelled, we just adapt our plans. We adapt to school moving to home learning (again), to being in lockdown (again). We move from a fixed mindset to an adapting one.

    1. I love the idea of a family word!! The word Adapt will serve as a powerful guide, especially this year. And Limitless is filled with promise and possibility!

  8. I’ll have to get back to you on that. I need to reflect on last years word. I need to just reflect! Thank you for reminding me to do that…

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