I have enjoyed reading some of these posts and recognized some repeating themes - especially if you have watched from the side lines for years like I have done. Some popular ideas are Peace, Simplicity, Nourish, Downsize, Joy, Family, Organize, Love, and Happiness.
Did I ever pick a "word" for myself? Never. I always thought it was a good idea, but I never seemed to have the energy to sum up my life for a year into a simple single thought - and keep that as my focus.
But as I look back over the last decade - one word does seem to pop into my mind without any effort now. It is more of an after thought, but very true.
Survive.
Funny, in all the years I watched others select a word for their coming year, never once did I read 'survive' as a word for the future. I guess 'survive' mostly becomes evident after you do it. And I did do it. I survived a long caregiving experience despite some pretty significant set backs that had nothing to do with mom. Sometimes you just don't know what you are capable of doing (and surviving) until you get through it.
But what about 2016!
You know ... I am thinking this is the year I just might pick a word. When I started thinking about it around the New Year I bounced around all the typical words I had heard before. Who doesn't want 'peace' in their lives? And God knows, I have strived for 'simplicity' and 'downsize' for two years! I am big on 'family.' Family and eldercare ... well, that is like putting your money where your mouth is. On and on, my brain rolled those words around and around. Nothing seemed to fit this coming year.
Then it came to me. I have a word. It fits perfectly with my current focus.
I am 68 and I feel the weight of my accumulating years as well as the impact of past emotional stress. I know that action always makes me feel better - even though I struggle with consistency in exercise. My word should be an action word. 'Action' seems to slip out of the vocabulary of many older adults. And from what I have seen, 'sedentary' is a killer.
My 2016 word is:
MOVE
All righty! Got the word. Now let's see just where it goes! Or rather, just where I go!
Do you have a word for 2016?
I'd love to hear it if you do.
