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Hello friends,
We are only seven days into 2023, and I have already created more “to do’s” on my list than there are days in the year. That’s not unusual for me.
I’ve always been a list maker. The problem: doing what’s on that list.
For the past week, I’ve come across numerous articles on the pros and cons of New Year Resolutions. I gave up on resolutions and now opt for one intention for the year.
My intention stems from identifying a word that becomes the focal point for my reading, photography, learning, and striving toward becoming a better version of myself.
In 2022, I focused on wonder. The aftermath of a worldwide pandemic left me wanting to find joy and hope in the wonder of life itself—smiles, sunsets, and moments with friends and family.
I don’t have a process for identifying the word, although I have taken suggestions from various sources. I discovered that forcing ideas never resulted in finding the concepts that mattered most to me.
If you’ve never heard of choosing a word for the year or found a need, that’s okay. Perhaps this is the time and year to explore the possibility. A simple search on Google will lead you to more than you would ever need to know to choose a word.
Me? My word finds me. Call it serendipity, magic, or crazy, somewhere around December, an idea, or a word, will start following me. No, I think stalk might be a better description.
Finally, I give the word life by writing it on paper and jotting ideas about the concept. That word won’t let go until I succumb and agree this is where I need to go in the coming year.
What chased me down for 2023?
Center.
This year, I will explore what it means to be centered, grounded in my beliefs and values, and make choices based on who I am at my core. I know that sounds way too deep and philosophical, and woo-woo.
Let’s back up. Maybe I’ll simply begin with a short list of actions and a poem.
Three actions:
Breathe deeply and pay attention to the wonder around me.
List what I’m grateful for every day.
Live in the present moment without regrets.
A poem:
And that list? I’ll tackle each “to do” one step at a time. What if some don’t get done? Maybe those weren’t important after all.
This is how wonder became a word worthy of a year in 2022.
Tamara Letter shares her One Word for 2023.
A song for coming to the world just as you are, “This Is Me.”
When it’s over, I want to say all my life I was a bride married to amazement.
—Mary Oliver
Happy New Year, friends, and I wish you much joy and peace at the center of your life.
With gratitude,
Kathryn
Thanks for reading. Feel free to forward this weekly note to someone who would enjoy a few words of inspiration. And I always welcome your thoughts, so, please do . . .
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New year, new list, new word
Enjoyed your newsletter, Kathryn. My word for 2022 was "YES"--say yes to adventure, taking risks, trying new things, being bold. I wrote about a few of these adventures on my blog. My word for 2023 also found me on New Year's day during a walk around the neighborhood. It's FOCUS and I expect my January post will elaborate on this one. Wishing you a centered New Year!
I’ve chosen a word of the year for a few years now. Interestingly, Yoga with Adriene on YouTube has their 30 days of yoga challenge with the word Center as their theme this year.
My word of 2023 is Flourish. It’s been percolating for a few weeks, popping up in different forms. I feel it in me! Embodying the word helps 💖 I’m enjoying somatic writing too, speaking of embodiment. Thanks for another thoughtful post 💕