I do a few things to gently put a period at the end of the year and begin a fresh one. l think it was my friend Stacey Curnow that introduced me to these.
1. “10 Highlights of the Year”
I make a list of at least 10 things that happened during the year. That felt significant. I flip back thru my planner. Yes, how quickly I forget!
The list is handwritten in a notebook called “Years of Accomplishment.” And as I pull it out every year to write, I reread and remember. And realize.
This year I think I’ll add some intentions. One or two professional ones. And a few personal. Just for the heck of it. Well actually, I’m curious.
2. “Word for the Year”
The second thing I do is pick a word for the coming year. Instead of a whole list of resolutions that are quickly forgotten, or broken, I pick a word to inspire the year.
Look below to see mine and please, add yours. We’ll inspire each other.
. . . . . . . . .
Coming T.R.U
Start your own ritual. Before things get blurry.
The new year is a great trigger. A built-in reminder.
This is “your one wild and precious life.”
(Poet Mary Oliver)
My word for 2013 is PRESENT.
A beautiful choice!
Such lovely way to start the year Lori. My word for 2013 is REAL.
Love it, Anne!
I have been practicing the Word-of-the-Year for four years and I find it invaluable and my focus word this year is WISDOM – you can read about this choice along with previous ones here: http://www.veronicafunk.com/1/post/2012/12/word-of-the-year-wisdom.html
Just checked out your article. Fabulous! I’m starting a “2013 Sketchbook-of-the-Year.” A new ritual! Thanks, Veronica. ps. I’ve also done rings and love being reminded throughout the day.
Hi Lori!
Thanks so much for mentioning me on your blog!
This very morning I was putting the finishing touches on my Best of 2012 list that will go out in my newsletter this Tuesday. It really does feel wonderful to acknowledge all of our accomplishments — I’m most proud of the ways I chose to stretch outside of my comfort zone this year. For that reason my word for 2013 is STRETCH.
Good for you! Finding the one that resonates sometimes takes time. Congrats on finding it! Love it!! xo
Great post Lori! I love your weekly newsletter and your work. I just received one of your magnets as a gift. My word for 2013 is FREEDOM.
Thanks, Sheryl. Love that you have a magnet. It’s making me think… I can use this list of powerful words for my next ceramic pieces. I’m often wondering what words inspire people. This will be a great list. Thanks, everyone! And Sheryl, LOVE your word!!
Your word is perfect. Being Present brings awareness to so many things in our lives. It reminds me to be in the moment, and how easily we forget and live either in our past or , our future.
Right now the word that come to me is Compassion. I will sit on this for a while, but. It seems right now that I am working on having compsaaion for myself, to forgive my mistakes and celebrate all the great learning moments I have had this year. Thank you for helping me to remember
Xo. Susan
What a powerful word, Susan! Happy to inspire together.
hi lori – excellent choice. i’ve been doing this for several years myself. i’ve just spent the morning creating a mini vision board/collage in honor of my word for the year – FRUITION. it scares me and makes me giggle all at the same time
xoxo k
Love it, Kayce. Can’t wait to see what delicious fruits you create!
Lori I love this opportunity you’ve given us to pick a word for the year. The person I was a couple of years ago would have blown this off but this really speaks to me in a warm fuzzy sort of way. My word for the year is Commitment. I willingly make commitments to others because I love and care about them so why not for me? I’m making a life long commitment to myself to take care of me. YAY!
xox,
Tracy
Tracy, good for you! Go with the warm fuzzy feeling. You probably didn’t have that back then either. Marks the great adventure you’ve been on! And why commitment to self if your word. Now I’m getting goose bumps. “Truth bumps!”
I love this ritual but honestly have never done it. I find myself lost in picking a word, as I am so greedy, I want to pick every word! But I will take some time today to let one come to me and will share it.
It was lovely to see you last night; what a great bunch of creative, generous people, yes? Hope to see you in the new year.
YES!!! Lovely group. I love just soaking in all that creativity. And love. Yup! Lots of words. But listen for the one that makes you say a sweet “yes” inside. No rush. Also, there’s no rule. Could be a different word every month.
As always, Lori – love your weekly inspiration!
My word is COURAGE.
As Maya Angelou beautifully says: Courage is the most important
of the virtues, because without courage, you can’t practice any other
virtue consistently.
Yeah, Christine! Sounds like “Courage” is what’s speaking to you. Go for it!
My word for 2013: SHINE.
My word for 2012 was “rest”, and indeed, I did rest –sometimes forced by circumstances–from my exhausting patterns of striving and overdoing. However, my sense for this year is to shine brightly with all that makes me uniquely me: past experiences, trials, triumphs, ways of perceiving the world, lessons of growth that I have gained from my 43 years on this earth. . .and that, even if I don’t “feel” it, recognizing that I have something to offer people: whether through a smile, or a listening ear, or teaching my students, or being transparent. There are many ways to shine, just by BEING.
I love the definition of “shine”: words like “to glow” or “radiate” or to be “filled with splendor and light”. Love it!!!!. . .Love you, too, Lori, may we shine with the light of God in 2013. . .xoxoxo
LOVE that word! And it sounds perfect!! I was thinking about that “being” thing when I came up with “present.” Let’s “be” together this year!
ReLEAsE
I am fast approaching my 23yr mark as a 911 calltaker as well as police and fire dispatcher for a major west coast city. We, more than you will ever see on the news, hear and learn things one should never hear or learn. We have done what we can and we swallow it down, pack it away or sometimes it gnaws at us continually. Even seasoned at 23yrs I have to continually find ways to ReLEAsE. All of us have that in our lives from the smallest to greater issues. Find ways to release your mind. It does not mean you do not care or have forgotten.
Stacy, thanks for sharing. That’s SO tough! I’m sorry you’ve had to witness the worst of humanity. Yes, RELEASE is a good reminder of what it takes to survive. And thrive! Thank you for caring. xo
My word is “Love.” Loving others more then myself.
Lovely word. Lovely intention. Love you, sis.
My word for 2013 is GROWTH
Ah!! Can’t wait to experience that one with you in person. xo
hmm, let me think, a word for the year, weaving through every day like a red thread, connecting all…
it should be TOUCH, for me… when we create, we not only physically touch materials (even a pen while writing), we touch thoughts, bring them into the created ‘things’. When we are ‘touched’ by something, someone, importance comes into our lives… and the best thing is to know and feel that we managed to touch somebody with what we create — and that makes us being, each of us, one little mosaic piece in the the big mosaic
Lori, I hope for 2013 that we can continue to be PRESENT in each others lives even over the big geographic distance!
Such sweet words, Catharina. Thank you. I do love that we can reach each other despite the miles and share the beauty of our worlds. Yes, TOUCH. Sure does make creating rich. xo
Today…this morning…the word I hear is “guide”.
I want to be my own guide, to accompany myself on the journey.
I want to be a wise partner to myself to provide direction when I wander.
thank you Lori. Happy 2013. The path is bright!
Beautiful, Sooz! You’re a fabulous guide to others. Makes sense to use the gifts you’ve got on You! (your very closest companion) Best wishes.
Balance
Great word, Karen. Thanks for putting it out there!
I was going to write courage also, like Christine, but there are so many good words to choose from. In honor of Lori and what she does for me, I will choose the word “INSPIRE”. I also want to inspire others, give back and be a blessing. : ) Happy New Year, all!
Great, Susan. I’m sure you already inspire. But I bet when it’s your word, you’ll see even more ways. Have fun!
Love the inspiration of all the words posted and really appreciated the other sources of inspiration through Veronica’s article. I have been thinking of my word for a while and I decided on Risk. Wanting to take more chances in many areas if my life and realize that having this word in mind for the last month has already helped. I was thinking of creating a family ritual in which each if us can comes up with a word and think that mugs or some other reminder would be a great idea.
Thanks for these weekly sources of inspiration!
You’re very welcome, Patricia. What you guys don’t know is how often I even sit back and say WOW!! It just comes thru me. And I’m honored. So, it’s RISK this year. Love it! And interesting you’ve already experienced it’s power. Just imagine a year of it. You won’t be the same! (in a good way)
My word is “CLARITY.” I am in transition, trying to figure things out so this word emerged easily.
Thank you for sharing the idea for writing down the year’s highlights in a dedicated journal. I have been writing my highlights down for the past couple of years but not in one place. It is nice to easily review back. And I’m now adding the word of year to this ritual. Thank you!
Best wishes, Laura, finding your CLARITY. And emerging with confidence. xo
I love your word, Lori.
Mine is kind of a baby step toward yours… FEEL. Allowing my body to feel. Not stuffing it all down. Allowing myself to acknowledge my feelings and validate them. They are as important and valuable as anyone else’s. I have not permitted myself to feel anything in years, out of fear I will become overwhelmed. I hang onto control and squash everything, from anger and rage to the most delicate and precious thoughts and hopes. So, that’s my word for 2013. FEEL.
Thank you, Lori, for the constant inspiration! xo
Marina, then it’s super appropriate! I’m so excited for you. I see it was a step into fear. And that’s brave! Good for you. It’s also one step closer to The Real You and what’s TRU. Best wishes. xo
My word and intention for the year is “focus” Hopefully by staying focused, I can live in the present with my family and friends and be more productive in my work. A greater success is on the horizon and more giving is to come. With a bit of focus and doing, the pace of life with hopefully become slower:) Happy New Year to you Lori!
much love
Love it, Elena. Just setting the intention, I bet you’ll be surprised how many times you’ll catch yourself. Then you can adjust. It’s process not perfection. Have fun! xo
two words–with two (or maybe more) meanings
NO FOOLING
Ok, so you made me laugh, Nancy. Pretty strong! And haven’t thought of that for a plaquette before. Thanks for the powerful inspiration! xo
Lori – hi! I just remembered I hadn’t checked to see your word – I love “Present”! As in “Be Present in the Present Moment” I assume. As you know, mine is “Center.”
Thought you’d like to know – both Katrina and Amanda LOVED their “Present Moment” plaquettes! In fact, Katrina adopted that as her word of 2013, since she’s seeing someone new (who lives in California!) and she wants to not make assumptions or rush things – just be in the “Present Moment” and let things unfold as they will.
Best,
Todd
I’m so glad! Interesting for Katrina. Yes, one sweet moment at a time. And hope “center” is working for you, Todd.