Simplify. Last year the word came to me as I pondered words to guide me through 2014. It seemed light, and airy, and it was just what I needed. Once it popped into my head it seemed there was no other possible option. It’s almost like simplify chose me. And I used it too. I simplified events, I simplified our schedule, I even simplified our weekly menu. In the process I saved time, energy, and a lot of the worry and stress I usually pile on myself was lifted.
As in the past I started thinking about my word for 2015 a few days before the new year. Nothing came. A full week into the new year I still hadn’t found a word. I figured it was a sign to continue to simplify. The trouble was my gut was telling me that while I will always have work to do in simplifying my life, habits, and outlook simplify wasn’t meant to be my guiding word and major focus. Then the other day as I worked on other things my mind wandered and I found myself thinking about what I wanted to do this year. What things were feeling important to me. When I wrote it all out there was an obvious thread that brought them all together.
I want to be stronger, both physically and mentally. More reading, more gym time, more focus on healthy nutritious foods more thoughtful and educated discussions. I want to build and deepen my relationships with those I love. I want to build my focus and work towards better habits to help me waste less time. I’m talking to you Facebook. I want to continue to build up a loving happy environment in my home.
Stronger body.
Stronger mind.
Stronger relationships.
Stronger home life.
Stronger focus.
All the areas I see as growth opportunities in need of my attention this year were about strengthening. I just couldn’t get myself to settle on strengthen as my word though. It seemed too hard, too harsh, and tough to follow what felt like such a light and lovely word in simplify. Build, strengthen, deepen, they all seemed so squared off and heavy. The more I thought about it though the more I realized in the way I was thinking of them all those words weren’t heavy, they were inspiring and all about growth and evolution. Too make all this my focus for the year is to really focus on bettering myself and continuing to make my life more rich. In the end I followed my gut and let the word that was obviously the word the whole time standing right in front of my face in bright flashing lights. Last year’s simplifying has laid the foundation for this year’s strengthening.
Now I realize strengthening is not a heavy word. I’m not carrying a heavy burden, I’m merely building on the foundations of things that are already there.
Do you have a word for the year?
