mindful

  

me holding my word-of-the-year pendant as I often do throughout the day

I recently read an article, though mama-brain prevents me from remembering exactly whose article or where I read it, that posed the question: Does having a word-of-the-year actually work or is it no different than a resolution, made to be broken a few months, or days, into the new year?

My answer to that question is that Yes, having a guiding word can work wonders. For me, having a chosen guide word each year, or two or three, simply serves as the compass on the roadmap of my year ahead and absolutely works far better than any resolution I could ever make, and ultimately break.

The way I see it in my bleary-eyed state, resolutions* are designed to set us up for failure within the goal, as well as suggesting we are not enough as we already are. (For example: I need to lose fifteen pounds, eat healthy, be more organized so I can be happy or perhaps perceived in a certain way.) Whereas choosing a word suggests fluidness and movement within a goal and is designed as an act of empowerment. (For example: Each day begins by asking myself the question of how my word can be integrated into the decisions and scenarios that will arise.)

Having said that, I know myself enough to know I need the continuous reminder of my word for it to work and stay with me for the year. If my word is out of my sight, chances are it will be out of my mind. So what I would like to suggest to those who have chosen a word or are on the fence about if they really do work is simply this: create a space for that word or words to be with you at all times. Let it hang out with you, understand and know the reasons why you chose it and allow yourself to truly connect with it.

I know it may sound silly, but with all of my pendant necklaces, I tend to reach up and hold them, turning them about and playing with them between my fingers quite often throughout the day. So having my word stamped on a pendant and carrying it that close to me and feeling the physical word underneath my fingertips is a continuous reminder to allow my word to guide me in the moment, connecting me to it, and is what works for me.

Yes, I sell word-of-the-year pendants in my Etsy shop, but this post is not about me selling necklaces; there are countless creative ways of creating space for your word to be seen.

One idea is to write or paint your word (or words) on something found in nature, like rocks, shells, beach glass or small chips of bark. So easy to put in your pocket each day, near your computer or in your car.

If you are especially crafty you could create a banner or prayer flags that hold your word(s).

I also love the idea of creating a painting or a photograph entirely around one chosen word and then hanging it up on the wall.

Or take all of the pressure to be creative away if that is overwhelming and simply hand write your word on several post-its and place in different areas around your home where you will see your word often.

The idea being that with anything in life finding something that works for each of us is the key to it working at all.

I'm curious to know what other ideas you have in how you connect to your chosen word throughout the year...

** I also love this idea that elk shared here. She makes paper birds with a word to encourage. Lovely.

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* To be clear, I don't think making resolutions are necessarily a bad thing. The fact is I made a resolution for 2011 that I hope to post about soon.

Comments

[Anna]

I love my necklace for the same reason: I can touch it and it reminds me to embrace my word - whichever I am showing that day.

I also like the feel of the etched letters as I try to breathe the word deeply into my life.

I have also written about my words a fair amount.

This post made me think that I should do some check ins...

[Nancy]

Once again your iphoto's amaze me.

My word for the year is Strength! One of my goals is to learn a new yoga pose that will guide and challenge me to strengthen my mind and body.

[elk]

i so enjoy your work .. i create paper birds .. post them each friday .. with a word to encourage..

[Windylindy]

I know this isn't about selling necklaces, but my "Embrace Your Journey" Bella Wish necklace was really my companion the last 2 months.

Even when I could not wear it I looked at it daily! I embraced my wellness journey!

[Barb Liszcz]

love your word for 2011. I just did a post myself yesterday about my 2011 word. take a peek if you get a chance: http://my3girlsphotography.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-word-for-2011.html

thanks for sharing your mindful thoughts. :)

[Amber]

What a beautiful idea for those necklaces or doing art around the word. I do think having just one word is more powerful, it is bigger. Everything you do can be put up against the word. "Does doing xyz go along with my word?"

[Diane]

i have chosen a word for the last couple of years and quickly forgot about it. this year as i tried to keep my word close, it started showing up for me, in the most needed moments. i don't know what that says but i know that it's true. and that is my word. truth.

[brandi]

my word is 'integrity' and I bought a ring made of three interlocking circles that represent the integration of body, mind and spirit.

I TOTALLY agree that having a word or words is so much different than a to do list-which is what I think resolutions are.

And completely off topic...love your wedding set!

[latisha]

my delicious man came up with the best way for me to remember my word. to remind myself it is not a resolution, but a mindset. to be intentional about one way of thinking for an entire year. here is his sageness:

whenever you find yourself at a crossroads, difficult decision, or otherwise not knowing how to respond/act/be/do this year, ask yourself:

what would [enter word of the year here] do?

he.is.magic.

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