My "Word of the Year" and A Manifesto

Since 2009 I have spent the better part of each December really thinking about "my" word for the coming year. A word to help keep me focused on an attitude or an idea I want to incorporate more into my life; a word to help guide my thoughts and actions. This past December was no different, I  pondered, contemplated, and generally obsessed over just the right word. And it seemed to elude me nearly to the very end. But, as I knew it would, my word did come: JOY!

My words over the past few years have included: grace, embrace, grow, simplify and breathe. All have served me well but they seemed to turn the focus inward or on an action I needed to take. This time around I truly felt the need for a word that encapsulated an outward focus; that would encourage me to look for the positive and not necessarily DO something. I wanted a word that had more to do with my attitude than my actions.  

I believe JOY is just such a word.  My hope is that as I go about my day dealing with the mundane that I will stop and notice the JOY in my day: that first sip of my morning coffee, an unsolicited hug from one of my kids, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, no dishes in the sink! 

And as I did last year, I've made a Manifesto that I can print out and place in my home where I can see it everyday!




Comments

  1. Great word and manifesto
    My word for 2015 is CHANGE

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    1. Thanks, Roomie! Change is a fabulous word...I hope it really happens for you this year!

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  2. Don't you just love it when you wait and ponder and finally that special words comes and you claim it as your own. I love your word JOY and I look forward to seeing how it's going to play out in the coming year.

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    1. Oh, thanks Connie. I am so looking forward to seeing JOY in my year. I really think I got stuck focusing my attention inward...for good reasons and in a good way, but too much self focus can backfire on a person...so JOY, looking for it, finding it, soaking it in and hopefully sharing it with others seemed apropos.

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  3. This is so good Laura. What a great idea to print your manifesto. I love how you waited and pondered. Your JOY has brought me some joy. xo

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    1. Jeri, thank you so much. I actually resisted JOY...I thought it was a bit too "sweet", a bit too "fluffy". But I was praying that the right word would help me and this just kept coming back. I wish you much JOY this year, dear friend.
      xo

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  4. Love your manifesto!! My word is Trust!!

    I just "met" you over at Kim's Studio. Adding your blog to my reader. :)

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