It's a new year! This year, as in years past, my first order of business in the new year is to choose MY ONE WORD. My one word "is
an experiment designed to move you beyond the past and look ahead. The
challenge is simple: lose the long list of changes you want to make this
year and instead pick ONE WORD. This process provides clarity by taking
all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a
single thing. One word focuses on your character and creates a vision
for your future. It helps me do something about one thing and instead of
nothing about a lot of things."
My words in past years included
RESOLVE, MATURITY, REFLECTION, HONOR, FUEL, STORY and POSTURE. The
experiment is primarily focused on spiritual formation - helping me to
grow into the type of person I want to become. Of course, I've found
that it seeps into
everything I do - my physical life, my professional life, my personal
relationships. In fact, as Mike Ashcraft explained it in one of his messages, it's a lens not a promise. If I see every circumstance,
challenge or success through the lens of MATURITY (2009), how does that
change how I treat people or react in general? For instance, in 2011 I chose FUEL. I chose it because I
wanted to know what fuels my faith, but it obviously has ties to my
fitness as well. I realized that wheat thins don't really fuel me. I
learned what foods DO fuel me and what fires me up to stay fit.
[Competition with myself] That word stayed with me - even into 2013. I still seek mature ways to handle my emotions, my friendships and my walk with God.
So what is it this year? MY ONE WORD is CONNECTION. I don't know what this word has in store with me. I just feel like it's the word for this year. I've been thinking about it since November. The spiritual growth part of the word may help me connect with God. I want to find out how, when and why I should do it!
What is your ONE WORD for 2014? If you need help choosing a word, I encourage you to check out the book MY ONE WORD by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen. Or, visit the website for ideas from other wordies HERE.
