Photo by: Kate Love Photography
We are well on our way into 2019 (definitely typed 2018 in the title of this post – still in that transitional phase of writing a nine instead of an eight!) and I have set my annual goals (on my third year with PowerSheets and still absolutely love them), filled out my calendar for the month, and have given some time and thought to my word of the year. This will be my 6th year to adopt a word of the year and I love the focus it gives to my goal setting and perspective on a fresh calendar year.
I shared last week about my forgotten words from 2018 – I’m hoping to have the mentality shaped from those words stick with me through this year and I’m looking forward to how they help form my perspective on this new word. Typically as I am filling out my goals for the next year I take the time to pray and search for a word in my writing that keeps repeating itself. I figure if it’s a word that keeps popping up in my subconscious enough to make it’s way into my written words then it must be worth focusing on! This year I couldn’t really find any particular word pop up in my writing and reflections so I decided to go for Jennifer Fulwiler’s word of the year generator and while I was at it, her saint of the year generator too! I happened to love both the word and the saint that were given to me so I’m going with it.
Word of the year: Try
Sweet, simple, to the point. I immediately connected with this word when it appeared on the screen. As we embark on 2019 we have a lot of change coming to our family. A new baby due in February and our oldest starting kindergarten in the fall among other changes and challenges to come our way that we don’t even know of yet!
So often I talk myself out of doing things and trying new things. Putting myself out there. Just because I’m afraid to try for fear of what people will think or say about me. While it’s never easy to step outside of my comfort zone I’m hoping the peace and joy cultivated over 2018 will help me to see new opportunities with a fresh perspective – realizing it is all going to be ok. I will regret what I don’t do, but will I ever regret what I do? I don’t think so.
I also think that any time there is a new baby in the family just trying to get out the door, trying to maintain some semblance of sanity, trying to create balance is all it really takes. Trying, one day at a time.
Saint of the year: St. Andre Bessette
I actually didn’t know of this saint when his name appeared on my screen but in my reading about him I feel like he is going to be a good patron to lean on this year. St. Andre was a simple man, raised in a working class family, who struggled with his health throughout his life.
St. Andre had a strong devotion to Saint Joseph – my kind of man. In college I started to develop a devotion to Saint Joseph and have always found comfort in his care of my prayers. St. Andre built a chapel in devotion to St. Joseph that was met with its fair share of pushback from his superiors. He was a quiet man with a strong will and devoted heart – I feel like this saint paired with my word of the year are a great match. A man who tried with all his heart to live the best life he could live in honor of Saint Joseph for the love of God and His people – that’s got New Year’s inspiration written all over it!
I hope all of you have had a great start to your new year! Are you a goal setter? Do you choose a word of the year? If you are or you aren’t I would love to hear from you in the comments!
Past word of the year posts:
Cafe Du Martin 