Ha, you thought I’d forgotten, didn’t you?
Because every year I choose three words to guide me. Except usually I do it in early December. Not this year, though. For some reason, most of December seemed like one big blur to me this year. But never mind. Here it is the last day of the old year and at last I’m getting to it.
Oh, whoops, apparently I was a bit late with my words last year, too, which I discovered when I went to find that link. But better late than never–truly. That is one cliche that is very true. Anyway, I like to choose three words because it sets the tone and intention for the coming year. One of my most favorite activities during these dark days is to plan for what I want to accomplish in the new year. Hey, new year’s resolutions? I LOVE them. I do. I dislike all those naysayers who say they don’t work. And I consider my three words of the year as sort of mini-resolutions. What I want my year to be distilled into simple, easy to remember form.
This year, for one brief, misguided moment, I thought I might actually choose only one word. Ha! That lasted about half a second. Because in my world, more is more. More is better. More is the best. So three words it is and here they are:
Momentous
Festive
Vigorous
One could consider these odd choices, or perhaps one could not, if one were odd like oneself. So here’s a bit of explanation.
Momentous. I really want to evoke the idea of mindfulness, but all the words I could think of that were related to it and even the actual word itself were sort of blah. And then, while looking up something else, I hit on the word momentous, which means, “of great or far-reaching importance or consequence.” Yes, indeedy, I would love me a year like that. And the added bonus about this word, which is quickly becoming one of my favorites, is that it contains within it the word moment. Which is a fine substitute for being present in my mind. And being present through meditation is one of the rich gifts I gleaned from 2015.
Festive. This word means “joyous and merry,” and that is how I like my life to be. We are a family that celebrates everything, as one of my daughter’s friends once said with disdain (my daughter took it as a compliment and so did I). But it is easy to get un-festive if one if worrying about being momentous. So I want my year to be made up of many, many festive moments. And finally….
Vigorous. Because this is the year my lower back and knee pain leaves me. (In my continuing search for ways to accomplish this, I’ve found a new tool: ashiatsu massage, also known as Oriental Bar Therapy. Check out this link, it is when the therapist USES HER FEET ON YOUR BODY. And it is amazing.) So I’m looking for health, glowing physical health, but again that word, health? Insert buzzer sound here. So I came up with vigorous, which is much more, well, vigorous, don’t you think?
So there you have it. Momentous, festive and vigorous. My three words for the year. Do you choose a word or words? Care to share in the comments?
**Oh, PS: I thought this was interesting. The word of the year, according to Dictionary.com, is identity.
***And, PSS, or PPS, whichever is correct, we still have a couple of spaces left for the Room to Write retreat in Nashville next week. Start 2016 out right, with a weekend devoted to writing! Click here for more info.
Photo by a_glitch, from Everystockphoto.
Dyoung
Well- I had forgotten! And now I remember. My word for 2015 was “great”. And in many many ways it was. When I look back at the year overall the word I would use now is momentous….I need to think a bit on my word for 2016- and may add a couple. I like your trifecta of descriptions :). This has given me fuel for my own post later today.
Thanks for another fun year here- Charolette- you’ve created a fun atmosphere for us to commiserate with the best!
Charlotte Rains dixon
Thank you for reading, Dona! I truly mean that. And please come back and post a link to your own post when it is finished.
Don
All three words are great Charlotte. However, in my own case, I think I will choose these threee words: Patience, Hope and Faith.
The reasons are simple enough since I’ve been going through a lot of health issues lately and frankly I could use a lot more patience. With out hope, of course, what’s there to hope for? So that’s a biggie for me. The new year is going to require a lot of faith on my part, so the last word is also especially important for me.
Anyway, now that 202115 is about to end I PATIENTLY, HOPE and have FAITH that you will continue to update your very helpful blog and I eagerly look forward to your next published novel! Have a great and prosperous new year Charlotte and that includes all of your faithful readers, which, of course, also includes me.
Cheers for 2016.
Charlotte Rains dixon
I love your words, Don. I’m sorry about your health issues, and I see you getting through them in 2016. I wish you a wonderful, wonderful year. And thank you for being a loyal reader!
dyoung
Click on my name! Or, here :) http://thirteenpointrun.blogspot.com/
MORE tomorrow!!
Charlotte Rains dixon
Just read and commented! I love your ambitious goals for this year!
J.D.
Charlotte, I had a massage like that when I was in the Navy. It was a very innocent two hours, probably much to my disappointment at the time. My word is solve . . . as applied to the book sales riddle. Maybe even some other puzzles.
Charlotte Rains dixon
Hey, when you solve that riddle will you let me know the answer? It is quite a puzzle.
Adam Hughes
Never considered choosing a word of the year at the BEGINNING of the year, but I like the idea. I’m going to pick something that always brings me joy and try to keep that spirit alive in all I do …
“tire swing”
Charlotte Rains dixon
That’s two words! But I’ll give them to you because it’s pretty cool. One could do worse than remember the spirit of the tire swing all year long.
Adam
Thanks for your leniency!
:)
Charlotte Rains dixon
Any time, I’m easy that way!
Milli Thornton
I love your words! I especially love “momentous.” That’s been one of my favorite words for years now, but I never thought of adopting it as my Word for the Year. Great idea.
I didn’t pick single words but I did use a goal-setting program (Best Year Yet) to craft three “maxims to live by” for 2016. They were fun to craft and I’m looking forward to living them out.
I’m thrilled to hear you love New Year’s resolutions. I agree. The naysayers can have their nays but stating intentions can be powerful. Of course, you still have to make the effort to apply them, but in my view it’s more powerful to know what you want and put that down in writing.
Charlotte Rains dixon
Ah a fellow lover of New Year’s resolutions! So happy to hear it. And was that Michael Hyatt’s program you used? I’m a huge fan of any and all goal-setting programs. I think they are a blast! Still enjoying making plans for 2016.