My One Little Word for 2015 was Embrace. I needed really long arms to embrace all that came at me this past year. It’s been a year of huge life changes, much joy and some sadness.
My husband retired, we sold our home in one city and moved to a new home in a new city where two of our three children and their spouses live. Embracing this move was easy. We love being near our kids, it’s a lively, artsy, diverse city, and our new home is perfect for us. The flip side, of course, was leaving behind wonderful friends and involvement in many organizations and activities.
My One Little Word for 2016 is Passion. Now you may be thinking, “She writes romance, of course she’d pick passion.” That’s not the passion of which I speak, though I intend to heed that passion, too. I mean the passion that grabs me in the middle of paying bills and demands I write this scene NOW. The passion that keeps me typing an hour after my timer went off alerting me to take a break from typing. The passion that wakes me up at night and insists I write down this idea/dialogue/scene in my bedside notebook, in the dark without waking up Rich. The passion that allows me to interpret what I wrote down in the dark the next morning in the light.
This passion has a flip side for me: disorganization. Ideas come at inconvenient times when a sticky note can’t be found. Or I create a file on my computer for blogs that are so incredibly inspiring it makes my head spin. Then I forget about the file. Or I bookmark it under “Gluten-free Recipes” by mistake. Before I pack away checkbook stubs, I leaf through them for notes-to-self.
My son Matt and daughter-in-law Rachel gave me the perfect Christmas gift: The Passion Planner. This is a large calendar/planner/goal-setter/journal that includes guidelines for organizing my thoughts, goals, ideas, dreams and, of course, passions. Since I use the calendar on my phone, I have stopped keeping a paper calendar. My whole adult life I’ve had hanging on the side of the refrigerator a calendar with large blank blocks that I wrote in with a red fine-tipped marker. I could see the “month-at-a glance” and that gave me great joy. When I taught, I had a similar sized planner that I filled in with pencil because I hate to cross things out. I’ve missed those calendar/planners. Now I have one again.
My hope is that this planner will keep me on track, keep my goals in sight and keep me focused. I’ve already taken the first step in it and created my Passion Roadmap. From there I created my First Passion Plan. Part of me thinks its one more thing to keep track of, but deep down in my gut, where passion grips me in the middle of folding the laundry, I think this might just be the life coach I need.
What’s your One Little Word for 2016?
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Happy New Year Elizabeth and Everybody. Off the top of my head my word for 2016 would have to be WONDER. I am in a state of Wonder over how many amazing things happened to and for me in 2015. And I Wonder if I can possibly accomplish what I’d like to accomplish in 2016.
I love the word Wonder, Alice. Wonder connotes such a sense of joy in life, anticipation of what’s to come and openness to accept it. How Wonderful that you can be so aware and grateful for the gifts of 2015. I send wishes for more Wonderful things to come to you in 2016.
MOTIVATION: In my writing, on my diet and in exercise. I need a reminder that no one else is going to do any of this for me. It’s all up to me and I CAN do it. 😀 Hubby is going on this diet/exercise journey with me, so that will be a huge help. We’re going elliptical shopping today. Who’d have thought that would be exciting? lol Happy New Year!
My hubby and I are also going on a healthy eating/exercise journey together, Jennifer. It helps so much when you support each other. Motivation is a great word, and you’re right, it applies to so many areas of our lives. Wishing you all best in 2016!
One word is so hard to choose after I’ve read through the comments, but I think it would be perspective. I hope to be able to keep perspective of what is important and not deviate off or put something else first. Great post!
Thanks, Dena. Having perspective helps in so many areas of life because, as you say, it helps to keep the focus on what is important. Remember the little book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff”? Yeah, perspective really helps with that! Best wishes to you for a Happy New Year!
This is truly an inspiring post, Betty! I love the planner (I’ve decided to force myself to put notes on the phone because I haven’t lost it yet, as I tend to do with notebooks and planners) but there is a special satisfaction in writing things out by hand.
I must think through words. I’d thought of health, but want a word that I feel I can manage, to some extent. So I’m leaving toward “overcome” or maybe “push,” to remind myself not to stop.
In any case, have a wonderful, passionate 2016! (And Deborah–a perfect word and present for you, too!)
Thank you, Leslie! I like your One Little Word choices. Either word – Overcome or Push- recognizes your commitment to your craft. I wish you great success with overcoming whatever stands in your way or pushing through to your goals in 2016.
Balance. I need to find balance to be able to write, enjoy family, exercise, and have fun.
Ah, yes, Balance. I struggle with trying to balance all the things you’ve mentioned. But what a blessing to have so many wonderful things in our lives! I wish you all best with creating balance in your life in 2016, Diane.
My word is Determination, because I am determined to finish several writing projects in 2016. I love your calendar and yes, it does seem perfect for a writer. I’m going to start looking for my new calendar/planner so I can keep track of what I accomplish. May the New Year bring many good things our way!
What a great word – Determination. It’s strong and committed just as you are as a writer, Lucy. I wish you great success with all of your writing projects in 2016. Happy New Year!
This is great! This is the first year I’ve picked one word after getting an email from an inspirational coach type person I follow name Christine Kane. I’m very excited about my one word, because positive affirmations and resolutions haven’t worked for me, and I feel this is much easier and doable for a year. I have chosen ABUNDANCE because it encompasses everything I’m striving for. Abundant health, wealth, wellbeing, words written, etc. etc.
Wonderful post, Betty. My word would be “genealogy.” As soon as I finish my work-in-progress, I’m going to give myself the gift of several weeks of pure, no-holds-barred, unbridled genealogical research. Ha! I find my time “visiting” with the ancestors to be peaceful— and thrilling. I’ve also found several plots because of my genealogical findings, and I can’t wait to discover what’s next. I wish you and your readers much joy in 2016.
A perfect word for you, Deborah! How fun to delve into your passion 😉 and surround yourself with beloved family who came before you. I love your stories that include your ancestors. May you discover riches in your family history and inspiration for more books in 2016!
What a lovely post, Betty. Good luck with your organization plan. According to Facebook, my word for 2016 is Change. Change has been a theme in my life for several years, kind of exciting, kind of scary. For myself I would pick Open. With change comes the need to be open and allow changes and opportunities I may not have planned or thought of.
Thank you, Lynn. You’re right. Being open to change is exciting and scary, but would we want it any other way? NO! Change keeps us challenged, alive and young. Best wishes for wonderful changes in your life and the openness to accept them in 2016!
Health. I have plans to write and plans to travel, but I can’t do it without my health, and that means making sure I exercise each day and eat right.
As Augusten Burroughs said, “When you have your health you have everything.” I agree with you, Susanne, all the goals we set depend on how we’re feeling. I wish you good health and happiness in 2016!