The new year often begins with a time of looking back at the previous year, quickly followed by looking forward to the new one, with both anticipation and a desire for something (or things) to be different.
Many of us (you) will choose a word to focus on for the year. A word that reminds us of ways in which we hope to do things in a brand new way.
Today, some of my sweet friends from around the blogosphere and I are sharing our WORDS for 2013. Grab a cup of tea, sit back, and be inspired. To read more about why each friend chose the words they did, just click on their chosen words.
And I knew at that moment that my word for 2013 will be CREATE. I realized that every goal I had jotted down was a leftover creation from the past year (or more) that I had not done a good job of fine tuning. I had created these goals and plans for a purpose, and now I need to continue to shape, mold, plan, scheme, and give new form to these areas of my life.
When I wait on the Lord (which is who I’m really waiting on . . . not doctors or employers or case workers or government officials or donors), my strength will be renewed. As I wait, I give up my will and long for His.
This year God has prompted me to cultivate a heart of contentment in Him. God is teaching me what it means to be content in Christ alone – He is my source of joy. He is teaching me about being content with the blessings He has given me – not always wanting more. I hope you’ll join me on my journey to contentment this year!!
For Sam at Sam’s Noggin, the word GIVE will define her year:
I didn’t even think about a word for 2013, it just came screaming at me, GIVE.
And I began to evaluate the year, and my heart was grieved for the many things I had let go, unaware of the impact that was having on the rest of our lives.
So as I pondered 2013 I knew I wanted to do things differently, but there were so many things that needed attention, how was I going to choose the most important.
Nicole at Journey to Excellence shares how the word LESS found her:
Do you have a goal for 2013? Not a resolution, but a goal. Each year I try to come up with one word to describe what I hope to accomplish in the coming year. This year’s word was actually easy. I didn’t search for it, it found me. And, it really all started this past summer.
Chris at Army of 5 is resolving to be more QUIET in 2013:
One word? How can that long list of resolutions end up in only one word?
I think simplicity has it’s place, and success often lies in sharpening our focus.
So here goes.
At Angels of Heart, Nikki shares why JOY is her word for the new year:
I think of all the little moments of happiness that outweighed any of the struggle. Sometimes I feel like I’m wading through but then those little moments happen. You know the ones I speak of.
For Audra at Simply Audra Marie, INTENTIONAL is the chosen word. You can hear more about why by listening to a video about her One Word for 2013.
Jen at Our Journey is learning to focus on GRACE this year:
I do not know why this word stuck out to me but when thinking of my one word it came to the forefront. It’s entwined with words like joy, peace, patience…
GRACE is also the word Carey Jane, at enCouragement chose for 2013:
Readers tell me that my writing is very visual. After reading After the Snow Falls, numerous people have told me that they can see the story like a movie in their minds. So when it came time to choose a word for 2013, the picture the word evoked was just as clear as the word itself.
Julie at Creatin’ Classical Chaos will be PROACTIVE in 2013. Here’s why:
Being proactive is about making conscious choices based on our guiding principles and values, which for me is Christ Jesus.
It is NOT being reactive, making choices based solely on feelings, wants (desires), and circumstances.
As I continue to face these tough challenges in life, I am reminded I still have hope no matter how bleak things may look at times.
“Jesus understood that if you want to experience victory, you must start in surrender.” John Ortberg. What a timely quote.
The idea of a word, a single thought as a focus for a whole year can seem a little bit daunting. But I want to spend a long, long while exploring this idea, sinking deep to the idea of living an intentional life, a life lived deliberately, on purpose, for a purpose
Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure in 2008, the battle for being healthier has been a roller coaster ride.
The pursuit is not dependent upon my strength alone but instead, dependent upon my weakness. It is my weakness that brings me strength. The less I am, the more He is. The more He is, the closer to the desired treasure of the soul because I am carried there within His enabling. Carried, even as I also make the action to advance in the process. Because that is the freedom of choice He has given me.
Well 2013 is upon us and in thinking about how 2012 went, I need a word to help me get through this new year! My word for the 2013 year is CAN.
I pray 2013 finds you seeking JOY and finding FAITH each and every day. May you be ever blessed.
At Following Him Home, Apryl desires CONTENTMENT for the new year.
Am I satisfied with the lot God has given me?
I know that growth and change can sometimes be painful, but I’m looking forward to seeing how God grows our family this year.
DRIVEN is the word that will drive Dane at LuvN’ Lambert LIfe in the coming year:
This year, in 2013, my word of the year will be Driven. This year, I will be driven to complete the tasks I have put off. Driven to make choices in life and religion, faith and love. Driven to do better for my family, better for myself.
Clara at A Slice of Homeschool Pie desires to SERVE more in the new year:
The greatest example was Jesus!
For Melinda at Weiser Academy, FIT sums up her hopes and dreams for 2013:
One word to sum up our hopes and dreams for the coming year is . . . an amazing little word and is an adjective, a verb, and a noun.
Kristi at The Potter’s Hand Academy chooses COURAGE for the upcoming year:
Courage doesn’t start the war. Courage keeps going when things get tough.
Linda at Homeschooling6 plans to ponder, pray over and use the word JOY this year:
It’s something I have been working on but haven’t at the same time. I am using a capital ‘J’ because it’s important to me.
Clarinda at A Jewel in the Making will add more THANKFULNESS to her life this year:
Thankfulness. This year I intend to be more thankful for everything no matter if it is bad or good. Because God has given me these trials and blessing to grow closer to Him.
I had not planned to have a “one word” this year, but the more I thought about it, the more this word kept popping up.
For Rebekah at There Will Be a $5 Charge for Whining, HOPE is the word for the new year.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what kind of words I use in my own life. I’ve been guilty of using words that are negative and self-serving. And sometimes I’ve allowed words of others or my own negative self-talk to take root deep in my soul.
I want to be the passer of hope. I want be a builder of confidence. I want to have the courage to give courage.
I plan to be more diligent in my pursuit of peace this year. I will seek peace and pursue it in three main areas: in my heart, my home and my community.
Family. My precious loved ones. The people who will most likely remember my life and what I stood for when I am gone. My greatest chance to make a difference in this world. Family is going to be my focus in 2013.
This year, I only want to please and hold my accountability to the Lord. No one and nothing else. Just Him.
I am not good with time management. I tend to underestimate how long a task will take. And I procrastinate. Not only that, but when I get started on a project, I get immersed in it and lose track of time. In other words, I too often find myself buried in a to-do list that has grown unmanageable because I was distracted and interrupted and unmotivated.
How can one word stand for everything I want to do?
What if you aren’t feeling motivated in 2013? What if you don’t want to organize like everyone else? What is your “word” then?
Last year my word was faithful or faithfulness. During 2012, I have seen God’s faithfulness in my life and my family’s life, close and extended, but can I say I have been faithful?
I’ve pondered and prayed about this new year. I’m so hoping that 2013 will be a year of feeling settled, finding routine, and establishing new family traditions.
This year’s Word was almost a question. Thankfully, I found both a fitting word and a corresponding scripture lying on my desk.
My one word for 2012 was Love. Over the year I did a study on 1 Cor. 13 the “love chapter” and learned quite a bit about love. In November I started thinking and praying about my word for 2013.
I’m looking for JOY and I’m committing my heart to seeking JOY.
Looking to 2013, what would I want to focus on within myself and permeate more to those around me? After much thought, I came up with OPTIMISM.
It’s a noun, it’s a verb, it’s our Word of the Year for 2013!
I prayed over the list, but nothing jumped out at me as the one. I knew I had to choose a word that really meant something to me or there was no point in choosing a word at all. So I slept on it. Or rather, I didn’t sleep . . .
At A Learning Journey, Tracey is looking for a little CHANGE in 2013:
So I got to thinking … one word? Could an indecisive and wordy person like myself possibly pick just ONE word? The answer was YES! ABSOLUTELY! This was especially true after I read a blog post telling me not to put too much time into thinking about the word – to just pray and let God lead me to my chosen word. I just had to listen to Him.
I’m tired of being a procrastinating perfectionist paralyzed and overwhelmed who gets nothing done.
Debbie at Debbie’s Homeschool Corner will be focusing on JOY this year:
My goal for 2013 is to keep Joy as my focus, ending the year as a more joyful person and with a more joyful home.
I am going to complete all the projects that I’ve started and make sure things get done and not delayed.
Freedom is my Word for the Year – freedom to be myself and to discover who God wants me to be.
…I did not dig deep or pray for something profound. I looked at what I hoped to do last year and where and how I fell short. The word that kept coming up was DO.
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