I’ve always hated New Year’s Resolutions–mainly because I rarely ever follow through with them. So when I heard of this website myoneword on a Seekerville blog post, I knew I had stumbled upon something that I could wrap my brain around.
Here’s what My One Word says about itself:
Every New Year we hope this will finally be the year that things will change. We make promises about the new person we’re going to become, pledging to get a grip on our finances, get in shape, become a better parent, spouse, even a nicer human being! But there’s one problem: our resolutions seldom work. The busy pace of life gets the better of us, and suddenly, the year is over with little to no personal growth having occurred in our lives.
“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. So, we invite you to join us and pick one word in 2011.
Brilliant! One word to be the lens through which I view myself, my goals, my life. How simple. Is it too simple? I don’t know, but I aim to give it a try.
The word that I’ve been chewing on and praying about is:
Definition: having, compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling
Synonyms: excitable, emotional, impulsive, zealous. ardent,impassioned, excited, fervent, warm, enthusiastic, earnest,glowing, burning, fiery; animated
I feel like I have been living in a bubble for the past few years. A bubble that has been impenetrable and inescapable. I have gone through the motions of life, numb and unresponsive. And I don’t want to live that way anymore.
I’ve become lax in all areas of my life, not really caring about excellence in anything, and I want to change that. In everything I do, I want to passionately do my best, working as if for the Lord.
I want to be passionate about life. I want to be passionate for the little things. Passionate for God and His Word, delving deep and feeling His presence with me daily. Passionate for my family, spending time with them and keeping a clean home for their comfort. Passionate for my work, even though it is not my favorite thing, and be a good and conscientious worker. Passionate for my health, taking care of it by eating right and moving more. Passionate for writing, doing it for pleasure and not to prove something. Passionate for people, choosing to initiate relationships, developing close, spiritual ties.
My verse for 2011:
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Colossians 3:17 (The Message)
Cheers to a New Year full of passion and love!
I'm not into resolutions. So this is a very refreshing idea.
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Oh, and a very happy and passionate New Year to you
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That is an AWESOME idea! I'm going to work on coming up with my “word!” AND I love yours! I'm SO glad you ordered Plan B! You will absolutely love it! Be prepared to have a highlighter or pen handy!!! Reading it will be a great way to start off the New Year . . . being assured of the promise of His presence!
Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Cherie
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Thanks, CJ! I hope your new year is filled with color and beauty. (that YOU create!!!)
Cherie, I am really excited about this One Word AND about getting Plan B. I think it is just the thing to get me jump started on a GREAT year!
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Sherrinda, I love the word you chose and the reasons you chose it. May 2011 be a year when that protective bubble bursts and you experience life passionately and are blessed abundantly–just as you bless others without even realizing it. =)
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This is a fascinating approach to resolutions, more holistic than action-item kinds of lists we tend to make for ourselves.
Here's another filling passage to ponder in your quest: Eph. 3:16-19. Best wishes for finding your passionate, energized self in 2011!
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Excellent idea, Sherrinda – what a great idea for defining your focus. Wishing you much passion for all things…Happy New Year! 🙂
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Keli! Thank you for the blessing. You are an inspiration to me and you have blessed me far more than you will ever know! (I have almost used all the sweet little notes you sent me!)
Laurel, I love the Ephesian passage you directed me to. I pray that I am filled more and more with His love and realize it each and every moment! Thank you!
Jamie, it wasn't my idea, but I am so thankful to have come across it. I love the idea!
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I love this idea!!! Do I have to sign up on the site for it, or can I just do it on my own? I want FAITH for my word, and I'd already chosen Rev. 3:7-8 for my year's verse. So there.
Thanks, honey.
Happy Passionate Year!
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Happy New Year. Great word choice. I am going to have to think on this. I love the One Word idea to sum everything up. I've never chosen a verse for the year, I need to do this as well.
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A few facebook friends have been doing the one-word thing. I like it. OK, my word… perseverance.
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Jeanette, you certainly don't have to sign up on the site. I think just knowing and focusing on your word will make all the difference in the world! And I love your word! May your year be faithful beyond belief!
Amy, may God show you the perfect word and verse for YOU! Happy New Year!
Lily, I think for those of us who fail at the list of resolutions, this one word thing is a great idea. And I love your word! If I had a word for last year, it would have been that one! 🙂
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This was such a new idea to me. It has had me thinking about it for almost a week now. I linked your post into my blog today as it was just fitting. I'm still praying about what my word should be.
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