Being Brave
I love the idea of a fresh start. Birthdays and autumn always seem like a time for new beginnings…but the New Year, well that feels like the ultimate fresh start to me.
Do you make New Year’s resolutions?
I used to make them every year. I’d have these lofty goals that quickly became guilty feelings, because I wasn’t carrying them out. They’d drop off my radar One. By. One. Until I wasn’t even trying to do them.
I can’t be alone in those feelings. The health clubs are jammed in January, then gradually thin out as people fall off the wagon. Been there…done that…have the recurring Visa bill to prove it.
This year I’m doing something different. I’m choosing a WORD OF THE YEAR.
I was first introduced to this concept by one of my favorite bloggers, BARBARA, who writes The Empty Nest Mom. I loved the idea immediately.
Your word allows you to live it with intention. It inspires you to learn throughout the year. It’s not a “should” like resolutions, it’s something that “is”. It’s incorporated into your thoughts and actions.
When you choose a word that authentically speaks to you, it has the ability to transform your thinking and actions.
I’ve been thinking about my word for days. It’d actually became obvious while I was reading The Fire Starter Sessions, by Danielle LaPorte, but I didn’t put it into this context until today.
My word for 2015 is brave.
I guess I better put a capital letter on that word,
Brave.
Maybe CAPITALIZE it and bold it,
BRAVE.
Enlarge it,
BRAVE.
I want to stretch myself…fly higher…challenge my beliefs…push against my comfort zone…put more of myself out there…and the word brave, says it all for me.
Are you making resolutions this year?
What would your word be?
Hi Jen,
So many great words and comments. I particularly love the comment by D.A. Wolfe about creating a reminder, a concept on self-care, self-awareness, and having it posted somewhere for those days when life’s distractions can overwhelm our best intentions. I’m going to do this today.
My concept for 2016 is Reinvention. I have many powerful words that are part of this: Claiming, Courage, Faith, Belief, Drive, Hope. January is always such a positive time to believe in all possibilities of good things that may lie ahead. I am hoping to continue with this feeling that good things are meant to come about, if I have the courage to go after them. I hope that you have a wonderful year ahead Jen, and that we are treated to many more posts from you. xx Nancy
It has to be about 15 years that I have been using a ‘guiding concept’ or ‘reminder for the year’ rather than resolutions (that make us feel pressured and rarely achieve their ends).
I sometimes write the concept on a big sheet of paper and tape it to a kitchen cabinet. (Last year’s is still there.) The reminder is usually something to do with self-care or self-awareness that impacts everything I do – how I deal with my inner voice, how I juggle work and ‘life,’ my interactions with others.
It feels saner to do this!
‘Brave’ sounds like an important reminder, one that would serve many parts of life.
And your grandchild is beautiful! 🙂
Happy New Year!
Taping it up sounds like a great idea. It’s already played a large part in 2015 and this is only week two…but with my memory…
Happy New Year!
I have chosen WELCOME partly from reading Anne Lamott’s Small Victories. It struck me as my time to Welcome new people and new experiences into my life. I have been working towards this but tend to get dragged back into some of the old drama from a past life that I really don’t enjoy anymore. Time to let that go and welcome what lies ahead. Had lost your blog but now it’s found!!
I just bought that book on Audible! It’s amazing how old drama’s like to cycle back into our lives. Welcoming in new people and experiences sounds like a wonderful idea. I’m up for that one too! Happy 2015!
I’m glad you found me Mary!
Hi! Just found your blog through Heather. I don’t have a “word” for this year, I have a phrase. “Pray more, worry less.” I am a compulsive worry wart. Enjoy your weekend, Jennifer. I will definitely be back!
Thanks for stopping by! The phrase works perfectly. I’m a worry wart too. Hopefully being brave will put the dampers on some of it. Happy New Year!
Hello lovely Jen! I appreciate this post. You hit the nail on the head with a word to focus on for the year. I announced to our family on Christmas Day that my word for the year is ‘clarity’. Clarity in trusting my gut instinct, clarity in direction, knowing when to walk away. My step-daughter, on her own path, applauded my choice which was nice. Excellent, thought provoking post! I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well during the holiday. We will definitely make a date to meet again in the near future.
Cheers to Brave YOU and your adorable grandson today.
xx, Heather
I’m so sorry I was/am sick and couldn’t meet you. Clarity in trusting your gut instinct really speaks to me also. Your holiday looked amazing!! Yes we will make plans to meet in the very near future. Much love xox
Hello Jennifer,
Brave as your word for the year is great. Close to my word of dare. I’ve added your blog to feedly and look forward to reading more of your eloquent writing throughout the year.
How coincidental that we both used photos of grandchildren to introduce our words for the year.
I’m delighted to have found you too! Our grandchildren are amazing inspirations with their exuberance for life!! I look forward to reading more of you also.
Brave! I love it! My word is Happiness. Happy New Year, Jennifer!
Happiest of New Year to you too Lisa!!
I have done the one word on my Birthday and on the New Year. I really have found it empowering
This year our family chose the word Prosper:flourish physically grow strong and healthy.
This was chosen for 2 reasons 1) my Mom passing away the day before Thanksgiving and 2) my Husband being hit by a car on Christmas day. We all needed a common focus.
So as my kids pointed out its like Star Trek “Live long and Prosper”
I’m so sorry about your Mom. Loosing loved ones during the holidays is extra sad and challenging. I certainly hope your husband wasn’t badly injured and that he’s well on the mend. What stress for you, holding everything together!! Having your kids and you all focus on Prosper sounds like a wonderful idea. Sharing that common goal will help strengthen everyone. Sending healing thoughts your way Shelley.