I’m not big on resolutions.
Actually, I stink at them.
I realized this a few years ago when my big resolution was to [air quotes] get into shape. I rushed out and bought one of those exercise bike machines.
For 11.5 months, it held clothes that needed to be hung up. Oh, I had good intentions, you know, until I broke a sweat. Plus, it’s really hard to hold a sweet tea and ride a stationary bike.
I’m a simple girl.
That’s why I’m choosing one word for the New Year. Just one.聽
Last year’s was courage. We needed a boatload of it. The year before? Mercy.
Today, I want to challenge you to think about the New Year–not in an overwhelmed OHMYGOODNESS I have so much to do/be, but in a one word way.
I called my hubby and told him I had a word for the New Year. He said, “Let me guess. Because I have one too. I hope they are the same.”
We both said the word at the same time:
2012 will be a year of faith for our little family. I hope I can share more details as they unfold (still waiting on faith-in-action to kick in), but without a doubt, we need a big dose of it.
Five Tips to Help You Decide your One Word for the New Year:
- Find a quiet moment and think about the one thing you need/want/desire/dream of is. Is it freedom? Peace. Love. Courage. Grace.
- Don’t be negative. It’s easy to focus on what we aren’t or don’t have. Choose a word that inspires you.
- Create a list of words that stir you and write why they do so next to them.
- Pray. Ask God what He wants your focus to be for 2012.
- Share your word. Announce it; ask for prayer and support in achieving it and believing for it.
My front door: I used scraps of burlap with a cardboard backing hot glued into place. Leftover felt cut into numbers, coupled with after-Christmas snowflake and icicle ornaments give it a fun appeal for the New Year. It’s simply hung with a silver pipe cleaner. 聽It was easy and inexpensive and it inspires me!
Great focus for the year. This year, my word is JOY, and my battle cry is “Ain’t nobody gonna steal my joy.” 馃檪
Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Surprisingly I found appropriate scripture to go along with it…wrote about it today on my blog: )
When I read your tweet link I thought your word for the year was “pin it” I knew that wasn’t right 馃槈
I can’t wait to see how God uses faith in your life this year. I don’t have a word, yet. I’ll have to think on it…
My word is less and it’s already inspired me.
Perseverance. Galatians 6:9. I will press on. I will not give up. I will run farther, sweat more, I will let God use me and stretch me and I will push on in ways I never though possible before. God has big plans for my family. My husband and I feel it. We will NOT grow weary in doing good – we will PERSEVERE….God willing 馃檪
Replying to self here: Ironically, my word is too long for a Lisa Leonard necklace. Ha!
My word is PERSEVERE!
I think I will be facing some challenges this year and I need the reminder to just keep on doing the best I can. Hmm….wonder if my shorter version would fit on a Lisa necklace….off to check!
Finish. This, like your word, is the same for both my husband and me. Lots of places it applies!
my word this year is “Joy”. I’ll be reading through the New Testament & circling this word as I find it. There is Joy in my journey.
Mine was “gratitude.” I blogged about it earlier this evening. :~)
I just blogged my word as well… but it happens to be 2 words this year… funny how that works!
http://www.betweenloadsoflaundry.com/2012/01/one-word2012.html
Mine is faith as well! We are waiting on our adoption phone call and praying about a possible trip to educate in Vietnam! Faith is everything to me right now!
Possibilities
(because with Him all things are possible)
I choose a ward too and this year it is GRACE
I have a sentence prayer this year as I did last.. but it could be broken down even more…
Trust
Can’t wait to hear more about the wonderful things God is doing in and through your sweet family!
My one word is GIVE! 馃檪
… and I’m GIVING free blog buttons away for anyone who wants a one word button for their blog! (See link for details)
http://www.onlyabreath.com/2012/01/one-word-2012-veggietales-and-free-buttons-for-your-one-word/
Hugs!
Melanie
my word is “demonstrate”
i know what i believe.
i know whom i believe in.
i know what kind of change that belief should provoke.
i just fail to demonstrate it, far too often.
if i make the choice to demonstrate the grace of God to others, to demonstrate forgiveness regardless, to demonstrate true concern & care for the marginalized of this world….things could be vastly different.
it will change the way i love my wife, my children, my friends, and my enemies. here’s to 2012.
dem路on路strate | verb:
1. Clearly show the existence or truth of (something) by giving proof or evidence.
2. Give a practical exhibition and explanation of
My word is “simplify”. This year I’m working through Tash’s e-book “52 Bites” on my blog and just announced our first bite. “Simplify” is what my year is all about.
My word is JOY!
I explain why here: http://worthyoftheprize.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-2012-word.html.
I also linked back to you so that others could get your 5 tips on choosing their word.
Thanks and Happy New Year! 馃檪
My word is intentional.
My word is JOY! Seems that is somewhat popular. Actually as I was writing my post on my word, God gave me another word: GENTLENESS! Seems He wants me to grow in this area also! I’ll have to read what others have wrote about joy!
I decided on my word this year at 11:00pm December 31st. FAITH. The next morning at church, the entire sermon was about faith. Love it! I’ve been choosing one word for about 5 years now thanks to our pastor at Port City Community Church (myoneword.org). Glad to see it’s catching on!
LIVE…as in live every moment, every day. John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full!
I love this idea. I was going through the 5 steps you recommended and was a little frustrated at my inability to focus in on one word. I decided to take a break and see what other readers were doing. As I read, I realized that God gave me a word on Christmas day as I was writing a post about the service the night before. My word is “connect.” Thank you for sharing your faith with all of us.
Blessings,
Linda
I love the idea of having a word for the year. Do study it in the bible all year? Do you memorize verses with that theme? I love this idea.
Can I use the same word for this year because I totally love it!
I had a year of COURAGE last year, as well!!
This year my word is HOPE.
FAITH!!! God has been dealing with me ALLLOOOTTT about this over the last several months. Honestly I just don’t have much and I need to find focus again. Also, courage to step out and do what God has called me to do! Thanks for sharing! Your blog is so inspirational to me!
every year we choose an ornament for our family Christmas tree. we purchase or make one for each of our kids and one each for my husband and i…this way it will give our kids their own stash of ornaments when they are older and have their own Christmas trees and my husband and i will not have a bare tree.
this year’s ornament is a very simple silver Christmas tree with the word “Faith” engraved into it.
very cool Kristen!
have a great new year!
kate n.
Hi–I couldn’t find a “contact” button anywhere (clever you) so I am leaving this in a comment, despite it not being a comment, really.
My word of the year is “simplify,” and (alas) one of the ways I am doing that is by paring down my reader to just blogs written by IRL friends.
I know you have written ruefully about losing subscribers before and I want to say–have “faith,” this is not a judgement on you or your blog at all. As with others I’ve dropped from my reader, I’ll always know where to find you and will check in every once in a while to see how things are going with you and Mercy House. I have been so inspired by you and your blog, but lots of soul-searching over the holidays said: Simplify. And part of that will be less time on the web.
I will keep you and your house in my thoughts and prayers, and wish you a 2012 that answers your prayers with showers of blessings to you and your loved ones!
Last year, my word was HOPE. This year, like others above, my word is GRATITUDE.
Thank you, everyone, for posting your words – it is so encouraging hearing about your faith journey and expectations for God to be near you this coming year.
My word is SURRENDER. I blogged about this on my website, http://www.biblemomma.com. Thank you for the extra inspiration.
Your blog interest me with topics you wrote. I am happy to visit your blog and explore humanity friendly topics. Thank you so much for sharing, please keep it up.
Since you are doing good community work, I will like to share that we have also taken initiative to make marriages money free and we want your support to spread word about it. Please visit our Free Matrimonial Site and do share your thoughts on it. Your help to create awareness about our initiative will be much more appreciated. Thank you 馃檪
My word for 2012 is Eucharisteo. Meaning “thanksgiving”.
http://tiffbarker.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-word-for-2012.html
My word for the year is “Contentment”. Our whole family needs to work on being content with what we have and what God has given us. I blogged about it also. Contentment in 2012
Last year my word was Blessings. I had a sticky note that I taped to my desk with the word on it so that I had a daily reminder of it. Not only the blessings I receive, but the blessings I can bestow on someone else!
This year my word is faithful…2012 blessings to you!
Can my word for the year be “Chocolate?” 馃槈
Gentleness…it is just not my nature and I am hoping to do better this year!
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