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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You have us thinking!!
My word is ‘home’ this year 🙂
Layla, I can’t wait to hear more about your word!
I’m pretty sure that my word of 2013 is strength. It’s what I’ll need to listen and follow God, to exercise and lose a ton of weight, and to beat my depression.
I can’t wait to post about my word as well!!
Believe. I have to admit, this is not a new word for me. This has been my word off and on over the last couple years and it’s working for me 🙂
Oh, I’m thinking I might know why June is your word of the year. 🙂
Layla, your “word of the year” concept is genius! I jumped on board last year with the word DO, and I saved an image of DO as my computer wallpaper. This reminded me every day to quit dreaming and start doing. And I did!
There is so much more I plan to do this year, but I find I often play it safe and sometimes (a lot of times!) my perfectionism cripples me. Therefore, this year, I’m adopting the word DARE. It kinda intimidates me a little, but at the same time I’m excited to step out of my safety zone and see where a little daring do will take me.
Great idea. I think my word is REACH. Hope I do.
xoxo
Cindy
My word of the year for 2013 is Faith
My word for 2013 is LIGHT.
Last year, my word was Lighten – I wanted to lighten my load, lighten myself, lighten up, etc. I did it in many ways: let go of stress, lost weight, let go of tons of clutter. It was good for me, but it was all about me.
This year, I want to move outside myself and concentrate on the Light of the World, on bringing light to those around me, on shining a light on the corners of my world that I *cough* might have been happy to leave in the darkness until now.
Last year a word never picked me. I never picked one either. Today “BEST” picked me.
I will strive to think the BEST of others, be my best, do my best,
Hmmm…seems like a very sweet *baby girl name* to me! 🙂
This is the first I’ve heard of a word of the year and I like it so much more than a resolution. I think for 2013 I will live with the word Enough.
Can’t wait to see how your 2013 word is going to affect and give new meaning and beginnings to your lives….my word ….”Celebrate”
Can’t wait to see what June means or does for you, Layla.
My word this year is: FOCUS – man do I need focus.
http://www.queenofthecreek.com/2012/12/2013-word.html
=)
I thought about it after reading this post and the work Bible came to me so fast that I nearly hit the floor! Now as I think about that word a peace and all kinds of stories, images, and verses come to me.
My word this year will be LIGHT — I plan on living and walking in the light, being a source, and blocking out the darkness. I’ve joined Ali Edwards’ wonderful year-long class – One Little Word 2013. Maybe y’all would be interested in exploring your word in a creative way with us!!
http://nothing-but-blue-skyes.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-little-word-2013.html#links
Contentment…thats my word. Enjoying what I have, not wanting for what I don’t have.
My word will be “STICK”. As in stick with your plans, stick to your guns, stick with family. I’m gonna go find me a stick to hang on the wall to remind me of my word.
I never heard about this “Word of the year” thing… but I´ve started associating people to words because they started giving me words as presents…
Anyways… for next year I am not decided yet… I´m in between “acceptance” and “challenge”… We´ll see which one picks me!!
thank you Laila and I wish you the best for this 2013!!!
Mine is CONNECTION.
For many reasons….the main one- we’ve been waiting almost two years for a birthmother to pick us.
Trying to stay positive and hopeful!
RENEW
Romans 12:1 speaks of renewing our minds by transforming it in God’s Word. Which allows us to open ourselves for His changes, His ways and His Purposes.
We are ready to go forward when God calls us into ministry, until then we (my husband and myself) are renewing ourselves in His Presence in ancticipation of all things possible in Him….
Blessings for June to you and Kev….
Hello Layla,
My word for 2013 will be HOPE !
Las year was COURAGE and I have to admit I lost my courage sometimes. This coming year might be even more difficult that is why I need to keep HOPE in my heart ! Hope that my life will shift in the good direction. Hope that I will be able to find a job and make ends meet !
I am French and enjoying every article you (and Kevin) are writting on this blog since… a few years now. Love all of them !
I wish that JUNE (whatever it means) will bring you all the happiness you both deserve !
I love JUNE – it’s the birthday month of both my husband and a nephew. I can’t wait to read all about the significance of it for y’all. 🙂
This word concept (I remember it well from last year) is awesome and definitely inspires me to have my own word for 2013. Thanks!
Layla, I have been an avid reader of your blog all year. I came to you via your closet doors in the other house. I stayed because your relationship with GOD and your hubby inspire me. I work a high finance stress job, I have an autistic son and my life is a constant stress.My 2013 I my word will be “release”. I will release myself from blame, stress, I will release my self to god, I will release the things I cannot control and release my fears( they are many). Thanks for all your do. i feel like your my good friend do wn the block. I come here read, talk to you and somethings, your post echoes exactly what I think your answer would be in a conversation.
My word will be PURPOSE. =)
Thanks for the push I hope you don’t mind I mentioned your blog as encouraging me to try this word for the year concept on my blog. My word is trust.
Last year my word was CONTINUE. I was content with where I was in my life and wanted to continue on that path.
This year I am embracing CHANGE. I have decided to retire from a 32 year teaching career in June. It will be a big CHANGE. We will have less money so I will have to change my spending habits. It will be a change to be home with my husband who is a full time artist. It will be a change to be able to work in my garden all year round and not just the summer. And, it will be a change to start an Etsy shop – still deciding what to focus on.
Last year I did a blog post on my word, but I have to keep my retirement secret for a couple more months. So many people want my great job that he wants to have some time to choose my replacement without having people adding their two cents.
I do know your birthday is in June. Hopefully it also means that you and Kevin will be adopting in June.
That book is a lovely idea, might give my mom one too.. 🙂
My word I think will be “Smile”. Amazing if you just smile at yourself in the mirror how it changes your day – because you tend to continue to “smile” often.
FAMILY
I love your word June…my daughter Ellison and my Mom were both born in June and they are my 2 favorite people in the world and happen to look just alike! 🙂
I also LOVE your word of the year concept. I have already been writing many posts for January about one word…just didn’t think of it as my “word of the year” but now thanks to you I do!! So I am very grateful to you for the concept.
And now for my word…Inspired. As in Inspired Business, Inspired Life, Inspired Design~
And I am looking forward to an Inspired 2013 and wish you one too!
xo, Tobi
I should probably come up with a new word but for me it always comes back to GRATEFUL!!
I don’t think I’ve ever left a comment on your blog before, but I’ve been a follower for a while! My birthday is in June and I’m REALLY hoping, but I don’t want to say it, so let’s just say I’m excited for you! Happy New Year!
🙂 –Fran
I also gave that book to my mom a few years back and it was the best gift when I received it back, completed, the following Christmas. I found it to be such a great way to have new conversations about the person she is and to see little glimpses about her more private self.
Happy New Year to you.
My word for 2013 is try
I love the Word of the Year idea and this will be my 5th year. Some years are more effective than others…
For 2013, my word is PRESENT. I like that it has multiple meanings and is both a noun and a verb. So far the verb is what calls to me but the noun whispers too in numerous ways.
I wonder if JUNE will bring you a little JUNE of your own… Hope so!
The word that found me was SELF. I tried to focus on another word but this one keeps coming back to me. 2012 word was Simplify and 2011 was Organization.
Hey Layla !
I’m not positive, but I’m thinking of “grow”:) thanks for sharing.
Debbi
As each year passes and I now find myself fast approaching 60 years old, I realise that there are less years ahead than behind me. Time goes so quickly and somebody very close to me died very suddenly. I am a terrible procrastinator and her sudden passing caused me to take stock and realise that tomorrow is not promised to us. Therefore my word for 2013 is NOW.
I have liked the concept of choosing a word of the year for a couple of years now, but just never got around to doing it. Decided this would be a good year to join in.
My word this year is ORGANIZED. We moved a year ago and are still not settled. I really do need to get more organized.
I’m still working on my word for 2013, but my word this year was “OPTIMISM” – it made a difference. Can’t wait to hear more about your word. Happy new year to one of my favorite bloggers!
Warmly, Michelle
Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust
The word that ‘chose’ me is GRACE. To live in grace, to handle situations with grace, pray for grace, and it also provokes a sense of peace to me, which is what I want for me and my family this year. Thanks for allowing me to put this out there!!!!
My word: GIVE.
My word is FOCUSED…
Like many here, I hope the word June means what many of us hope for it to mean!!!
I would say I am coming into the 2012 word thing late, but if I had to choose it would have been HOPE and 2013 is going to be Beginnings!
My word for 2013 is “no”
I will learn to say “no” to unhealthy food and lifestyle choices, and “no” to peer pressure.
I really like that you chose the word “NO” for the year. It can be so hard to say it when you are a people pleaser, like I am at times. Best Wishes!
Yay! I finally chose “my word” and blogged about it. My word is Strive. Thanks for sharing such a inspiring idea.
I chose grace this year. I need to remember to give it to those around me as well as myself! I hope 2013 is an amazing year for you!
Wow, June has a lot of meaning for me this year, too. I will be retiring after 37 years of teaching!!!!!! I’m happy, scared, apprehensive, overjoyed….yup, every emotion there is! Mostly scared!!! I’ve started my own little upcycle/antique business on the side and after being divorced for a few years now, I’m looking at change for myself, my home and my business. So JUNE is one of my words, but I think my big word will be CHANGE!
Love your web site and blog, Layla. When I get down and really worried about things, I take a break – call my daughter usually in tears – and then look for your new words of wisdom and ideas.
Debi
How cute, a “clumper”!
What a neat idea to have a word of the year. I thought it would take me forever to find the right word but it found me not even a minute later. It shall be move/move forward!
Thank you for the inspiration and happy happy new year. Glad I found your blog by following your link on twitter. Excited to reading more tweets, getting to know you and learning from one another,
hugs and cheers to 2013!
Franziska
@FlavorDesigns
My word for 2012 was SMILE, as in a smile is catching. I wanted to see everyone smile.
I am not so sure yet what my word for 2013 will be. Still pondering upon a few words that have caught my attention recently.
Happy New Year!
Love your word choices and the meanings behind them.
I also think it’s fabulous that you gave your mom that book and that she filled it in with such wonderful things for you to cherish. Very special!