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It took me some time to get on the train with the one word for the year hype.
I spent a lot of time wondering whether or not just one word would suffice to keep me on track for the entire year.
Could one word drive me to make the most out of every single aspect of my life? And could a word other than “present,” “live,” or “embrace” offer such a gripping and meaningful year long journey?
I looked around the blogosphere at the words others were choosing. Some chose those words that were just kind of given (which is totally okay. Each word, in my opinion, means something in particular to every person and their current situation and place in life) and others chose words with some significant depth and thought. Each word selected held such an important meaning to the person who chose it.
I wanted my word to do the same.
I spent some time looking over my goals and commitments for 2012 and brainstorming my ambitions for the future.
Then the word just came to me…
All of the things that I want for myself this year, everything that I want for my family…can be summed up in this one word: create.
I did some thinking when it came to me originally. How can this word really summarize my hopes for both my career and my family?
That’s easy…
Career wise I want to continue to grow my business creating new clients, new products and new services for those that work with me.
I want to continue to learn how to create better portraits, more meaningful and heartfelt photos and moments that I can preserve for both my family as well as others.
I want to create worlds that don’t exist anywhere except in my mind…stories that haven’t been told as I finish my novel and hopefully start on a second.
I want to keep creating fresh and original content here on my blog; creating friendships with my readers that are more closely akin to family than just “subscribers.”
For my family…I want to create a new being…a new baby…add to our family. Give my son a brother or a sister to look after and love the way that he loves everything and everyone near and dear to him.
I want to keep creating memories together. Moments of laughter and excitement, moments of silliness and passion. Moments that define the life that we live and the time we’ve been given together.
I want to teach my son to create…to play, to imagine. To believe in ideas and dreams and ambitions that some may say aren’t possible.
I think this word is not only going to inspire me to be more original and more unique, but to push myself to open up and share bits and pieces of myself here on this blog. To push myself to go after the big things that I want for my businesses and my family.
2012 is going to be a great year.
[…] Last year, knowing that we had been struggling for almost a year to get pregnant with our second and that I had just recently dove head first into running a Graphic Design Business, I chose the word CREATE. […]
This word is above my desk – chipboard letters that I embellished a while ago. Very important word for me as well. Looking forward to seeing what you create in 2012!
Thanks, love! A friend gave me a beautiful “Live, Write, Create” banner for Christmas that I haven’t put up yet. Hope you guys are great!
That is an absolutely perfect word for you. Perfect. I have no doubt you’ll have an amazing year with that perspective.
Speaking of creating, love the new look!
And thanks for the link and the kind words. 🙂
Thank you, Robin!! I’m trying to utilize this word daily. I’m not sure I’m 100% successful, but working on it. 🙂
Courtney,
I have done very little blog hopping in recent months due to a house ravaged with illness, among other things. So when I stopped by today, I was very inspired and moved by your post and all of the wonderful things you have going on. Congratulations!!
I must say, I don’t know how you do it, but it is great.
Thank you, Amber! I hope that everyone at your house is feeling better. We had a few weeks of nasty colds in our house, so I understand. I hope 2012 is starting out GREAT for you!
I have yet to come up with a word or focus for 2012. A lot of things are running through my mind, making me look at what I really want 2012 to be about.
You’re take on “create” is inspiring. It sounds like you are well on your way to creating the life you truly want.
Thank you, Lizzi! Did you come up with a word for 2012? It took me some time, too. To REALLY decide what it was I wanted for myself. Can’t wait to hear what you decided.
My 2012 Word of the year: ENERGY. How much I do without energy, without intentionality. You know me, I’m a Word Nerd, so I’ve just got to add more.
The word “energy” comes from two Greek words: en-, which means “in” and -ergon, which means “work.” To me, it implies work with intention, with purpose.
From the American Heritage Dictionary:
Vigor or power in action; vitality and intensity of expression
The capacity for action or accomplishment
Power exercised with vigor and determination
I do so much that I love, like make a home, homeschool my daughter, write. Yet to do it with vigor and energy, with intentionality…that’s the ticket for 2012. Vitality, Vigor, Power, Determination, Action…all these words combined in one little word: ENERGY! What’s not to like?
Blessings,
Voni
I could always use more energy. I can’t remember the last time I felt completely rested and energized. I, like you, do so much that I love it’s hard to find time to just slow down and rest. Work, Writing, School with Noah, being a wife, keeping house…I could go on. I hope that 2012 is turning out to be a wonderful year for you so far, Voni!
I have tried to think of my word too and it finally came to me the other day…balance, it’s something I’m in desperate need of and seems like it will fit most aspects of my life so I’m rolling with it, lol.
I love your word, I have a “create” sign hanging above my computer desk that reminds me why I LOVE my job so much and what I love in life.
Oh yes. Balance. That’s something that I just have to strive for daily. And usually fail at. LOL
Create — I love your choice of a word for yourself! I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed poking around on your blog. I really enjoy your articles. Here’s to 2012!
Thank you , Rachel! Always happy to have you!! 🙂
This is a perfect word for you.
Thank you, Jess!