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Word of the Year – 2013

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I keep a little book in the drawer next to my bed. It’s called ‘Mom- Share Your Life With Me‘ and it contains 365 pages of questions and places to share thoughts. I gave it to my mom a while back, and after she wrote something on all of them, she gave it back to me…complete with cutie pie photos of her when she was little…

…and hand-drawn visual aids, too:

I love seeing more than just her answers like that. (And who knew I was a clumper?!)

Anywho, like the date in the photo above says, today is December 26th- which means 2012 is coming to a close and it’s time to choose a new Word of the Year! This past year, my word of the year was UP.

I knew from the minute I chose it it chose me that I would fly on an airplane (a.k.a- “scare-plane”) again this year. I knew it, knew it, knew it. But there was something kind of peaceful about committing to UP even though I had that feeling. It made me feel like it was the right time to try again, and that I could do it, and that I’d be okay if I did.

Long story short, I did fly this past November, and I’m really grateful for that, and for all the other positive ways focusing Up inspired and encouraged me throughout the year, too.

In 2013, my word of the year is going to be JUNE.

It’s means so much more than the month to me, for multiple reasons, and I look forward to sharing more about why I chose it it chose me around this same time next year.

Are you choosing a ‘Word of the Year’ this year? I’d love to hear what it is if you feel like sharing it here!

PS- New to the ‘Word of the Year’ concept but want to give it a whirl? Just choose one word that has the potential to inspire you and create intention in your life, and have fun incorporating it into your thoughts and goals all year long!

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Comments

  1. Laurel Seabrook

    I gave the same book to my mom and dad many years ago. I don’t think they have written in it… Thanks for the reminder, I just may have to give them a boost and get them going.

  5. faye

    What a great idea – to have a word of the year and to try to implement it into our lives daily. My word of the year is simply – I hope that it will remind me to simply love my family and myself; simply share kindness with others; and to simplify our lives by shedding things that are simply taking up space. Thanks for this wonderful idea – I think I will go print my word of the year out and hang it in a couple of prominent places to help remind me of goal to simply be me.

    • Barbara

      Rachel Carson – a fav of mine (look her up!) said that if she were the fairy godmother present at the birth of every child, she would give them a sense of wonder. LOVE that quote!

  8. kelly

    Find….
    I’m at the age where i seem to be losing things..literally and physically. This word i hope will inspire me to slow down, focus and find the moment…

  10. Michelle

    Can’t wait for the details, but I think I have a hunch. 🙂

    My word for 2012 was “pray”. My word for 2013 is “seek”. I need to seek the things that I’ve been putting off.

  11. nicole

    How darn cute is that book! What a fantastic idea! I got a good chuckle when you called yourself a clumper! Hmmmm my word would be….grow! Great inspiration!

  14. Kristen

    I’m thinking on one that needs to find me. One is stirring in my mind but I need to sit and listen to it and maybe it’s the one I need. You inspire me so much and so does your yearly one word posts.

    I can’t see what your word shall be for you. I bet it will be wonderful.

  15. Debra

    Hi Layla,
    You know I belong to about 100 blog subscriptions, but you are the only one who has a folder for back issues. I also think I know ( possibly!?!..maybe…it could happen ya know?!) So I’ll just wait
    (un)patiently til you fill us in. Hey did you see the new color of the year? I love your new house and neighborhood. Happy 2013. d.

  17. Donna Lohr

    INSPIRE and all its forms? inspiring inspired inspiration

    Yep. That’s my word. Now, I should probably go write about it on my own blog. 🙂

  19. Heather Patterson

    Can’t wait to hear more!!! FYI, you look just like your momma in that pic of her as a little girl, precious! I will have to think about my word of the year….. I will get back to u on that one!! Thanks for the inspiration:)
    Fondly,
    Heather

  21. leanne

    This past year was focus…thinking the next one might me something like create. Hope you’ve had a beautiful Christmastime! xo

  22. Patti

    This will be my fourth year for a WORD. I’ve used awareness, intentional and connection. Couldn’t think of one for this year til I clicked on this blog post. My word will be SHARE. Yep ~ it found me! I can’t wait to see where it will take me. And I’m excited to hear where JUNE will take you.

    Wow…. The power of words

  23. Marie Claire

    Hi Layla,
    I’ve been reading you blog every day since you painted the kitchen cabinets in your old house black. I’m saying “hi” now ! 🙂 Sorry for being a “lurker”. I”m really not a creepy person. 🙂

    I’m chuckling right now because I realized a few months ago that I FORGOT MY WORD! How lame is that? I’ll give this another go and I’ll be sure to display the word, or write it down somewhere.

  25. angela

    June is when my mom and i were born and it is her middle name so June has a lot of meaning to me.

  26. Brandi

    LOVE this idea and plan on making a post about it soon. My word will be “YES.” I need to say this word more often in my life.

  29. Sharon Hermens

    My word of the year will be ‘right’. I chose it because I want to do and think the ‘right’ things. Philippians 4:8 says (in part) whatever is right let your mind dwell on these things. Being ‘right’ will apply to all facets of my life. Thank you for the prompt. I’d never thought of doing this (choosing a word) and I like it!

  30. Crunchy Diva

    I think my word will be “quiet” — my type A personality needs to slow down and enjoy more of life’s details.

    June is a wonderful word. I was born in early June and I love the month. The word itself is nice to say outloud, too – it is like a breath.

  32. Kimberly VanDyke

    My word for the year is CHANGE.

    My life is going through many changes in 2013. I will write about them and make sure the changes that take place have a positive impact on my life. I remember a song from when I was young, the chorus said, “I’m so tired of being stirred but not being changed. But this time, LORD change me, let the work begin just now. This time, LORD change me, please change me, somehow. This time, LORD change me, let my life be rearranged. I’m so tired of being stirred but not being changed.”

    I will allow change to take place this year.

  33. Angie

    This is my first year with a word, but mine is “Simplify”. I bought a pillow with this word on it 2 years ago, and I have yet to heed it’s advice. This is my year to do just that. Simplify.

  35. Annie F.

    Funny that you chose that word, because “June” has meaning for me this year too. Had my first real lesson in disappointment, waiting and trusting in 2012. Praising God for June of 2013!

  36. Anele @ Success Along the Weigh

    My word for 2013 is HEAL. I’m knocked down with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome and it has taken a hit to my confidence and whole life right now as well as a nice cold to top it off. I want to heal physically but also heal what seemed to be a broken or stuck approach to the rest of our weight loss and this temporary injury is hopefully a blessing in disguise.

    I’m betting I know why June is so special to you! 😉

  37. Melissa

    In 2012 my word was Discover. We had just moved to a new state, with new jobs and all the things that all that “newness” entails! It truly has been a year of discovery. This year the word I have been given is “home”! From buying a new home to building homes through habitat for humanity, I’m totally looking forward to coming home

  39. Jody

    I’m excited to see what 2013 brings for our family and can’t wait to see how JUNE will change your lives ! Happy New Year!

  40. katie goldsworthy

    Love that book you gave your mom. What an awesome idea. Last year my word was serve. This year’s word will be TRUST. Trusting in God as he leads us down new paths.

    –Katie

  41. Baileywife

    I can’t wait to share my word…..LIGHT. This has so many meanings to me and I plan to write about “Light” once a month for the year 2013.
    Thanks Layla…I hope others join in and follow along! ~Kim

  43. Jude

    Maddox is a clumper, too! Have Justin send you a picture of their treetop 😀 I’m thinking about THE word and will let you know soon. Love ya’ MOM

  44. Lisa W.

    LOVE it, kinda sorta thinking “why” you chose that word, but like you said you will tell us more later:) It is a GREAT month, I was married AND born that month. My word is “create”! I figure I can “create” my own destiny, “create” happiness when all the world (lately) has been so glim. And simply “CREATE” as thats what we like to do!

  45. Anne

    I am so excited for you! I believe June carries happiness, hope, expectations and much joy for you and Kev. My word this year is beautyfull. God’s never ending blessings for me are full of beauty and love.

  46. L

    I love this word, and hopefully you choosing it is a good sign for me as well. My husband and I have been trying for almost 2 years to get pregnant and haven’t been able to conceive so far. But if we are lucky enough to have children, and have a girl, my name choice for her has always been June. So I’m going to take your selection of this word (and me being a loyal follower of your blog) as a positive sign. Thank you.

  47. Sharon

    My word for the year will be “HOME”. We moved back to Michigan to be near our children and grandchildren and it feels so good to be home.

  48. rae

    I have a funny feeling I know what June means…..I only hope I’m right….
    HEALTHY~~~my word for 2013…..was just recently diagonised with diabetes and really struggling with it, have a lot of weight to lose and feeling very over-whelmed at this moment……
    Happy New Year!

  49. Kristin

    My word is HEAL. I keep praying God will heal me, deliver me, and give me the abundant life he promised. I know he keeps his promises so I’m looking forward to my complete healing this year. I’m so ready for it!