A few weeks ago I got an invite to the Christmas party for my part-time gig. Included in the invitation was an ornament with the word ‘Be” written on it and instructions inviting me to come up with own special “Be” word for the holiday season. At the same time in my blogging group Pushing Lovely, my friend Amiyrah asked us if we had thought about how we would be an “asset in the blogging community next year (2014).” Amiyrah mentioned that some bloggers had a word for 2013 that they stuck with throughout the year and asked if we had thought about words we wanted to use for 2014. Since then, there has been a fabulous discussion about our intention as bloggers and for our personal and professional lives for 2014. I have been rolling words for my head, reflecting on what I want my upcoming year to look like and have finally, finally decided on a word.
This year has been pretty good. Effin Guy and I are doing well…very well. While it’s been a challenge raising a teen, the road isn’t totally bumpy and there has been some good moments with The Bee. I have yet to be sent to jail and DHS hasn’t been called so I’d call that a win. My mom got a new kidney and so far it has been working well. She has had a few other complications but for the most part a woman with so may illnesses has been getting on fairly well. Work has been going well and I am feeling very excited about what is coming up next. But there is always a “but” and that three letter word is where I find the inspiration for my intentions for 2014.
The words I considered were purpose, fearless, determine, growth but I finally settled on flourish.
flour·ish [flur-ish, fluhr-] verb (used without object)
1. to be in a vigorous state; thrive: a period in which art flourished.
2. to be in its or in one’s prime; be at the height of fame, excellence, influence, etc.
3. to be successful; prosper.
4. to grow luxuriantly, or thrive in growth, as a plant.
5. to make dramatic, sweeping gestures: Flourish more when you act out the king’s great death scene
For so much of my life I feel like I just make do and settle. Instead of living a juicy life I procrastinate, I wait, I duck and dodge and just live in fear. I settle when I get in a bind, I settle when I’m afraid, I do just enough and then I stop.
No more self sabotage, worrying, keeping myself out of the game because I *think* that something is going to go down and that thing is something I will not be able to handle. I don’t want this to come off as a resolution that is going to be forgotten by mid February, this is a way to grow, to leap, to live.
So I leave you with a quote from America’s favorite family, The Simpsons. In Deep Space Homer, Homer has been tapped to go into out of space but at the last minutes loses his nerve. He calls Marge for encouragement:
Marge: But on the other hand, when you don’t take advantage of an opportunity, you can end up regretting it for the rest of your life.
Homer: You’re right, Marge. Just like the time I could have met Mr. T at the mall. The entire day I kept saying, “I’ll go a little later. I’ll go a little later.” And then when I got there, they told me he’d just left. And when I asked the mall guy if he would ever come back again, he said he didn’t know. Well, I’m never going to let something like that happen again! I’m going into space right now!
Blast off time.
-r
What will 2014 bring for you? Linkup with bloggers from Pushing Lovely by joining the link up hosted by Mrs RKFJ or share your words in the comments.
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2013 was not so good for me hope 2014 will be much better than 2013,Let’s see.
Looking forward to watching you flourish, Friend!
i’m hoping 2014 is better than 2013 when it comes to my overall attitude as well as my happiness 🙂
I am not sure what 2014 will bring for me. 2013 is ending on a rough note for both myself and my friends-I’m hoping this is the end of the bad news! I guess that will be my word for 2014 -HOPE-(and it is my middle name for real)-
Prosper. Mentally, Physically, Spiritually, Emotionally, Financially, in Relationships.
I had my share of good and bad this year, here’s hoping that 2014 will be so much better for all of us. 🙂
I probably won’t be an asset in the blogging community, but I will still be here plugging away.
My Hubs is getting knee surgery in January, so most of my time will be spent caring for him until he can get around on his own.
LOL @ DHS! I look forward to watching you grow.
I know a lot of people were worried about 2013 being unlucky, but I had the best year of my life in 2013 & it’s going to be hard to beat.
All I probably want is more happiness and contentment for me in 2014. 🙂
What a lovely word for the year – it even has a ring to it that is wonderful.
The end of 2013 has been a disaster so I’m really hoping for a better 2014. x
I think maybe my words for the year will be overcome fear and take advantage of opportunities.
2013 helped me learn so much about myself. I hope 2014 teaches me even more. I do think my resolution will be to stop the self sabotage though. I always find a few to get in my own way and ruin the good things going.
My word for the year would be grow. My family continues to grow and while it makes me sad that my kiddos are getting older, I love seeing them grow into their own little personalities.
my word for the year is going to be BETTER—I hope it’s a BETTER year, I’m a BETTER,wife,Mom etc
I say yes to the word “flouish” – I saw that somewhere else and thought the same thing. Oh yea, it was at a women’s conference at achurch .
Flourish is a great word! The word that first came to my mind was “love” not necessarily in the romantic way, but just be a more loving person.
I am glad your mom is doing well. I have never heard of picking a word for the year but I really like your choice.
I think flourish is a great word because it leaves room for personal and professional growth. I will have to think of what word will be my theme in the New Year.
I love your choice. Flourish. I am saying that 2014 will be the year of all Imperfect Women. May we all flourish.
I have to say 2013 was nothing like I planned but my biggest blessing that came was my daughter born in August. 2014 is going to be a year full of purpose for myself, my blog and my family.
I really haven't put much thought into the new year and slowly it is creeping up on me.. I think my big thing will be overcoming fears and moving forward…
I am always planning ahead. I've already start doing stuff for the new year back in October
Love this word! A great word for 2014!
i love your choice as well. my word will be MOTIVATE
I love your choice. I think mine might be motivation.
What a great word, I hope you do flourish!! My word would probably be focus — I’m too scattered with my time.
I have been too caught up with this current year to think of the New Year. If I had to choose a word for the New Year, it would have to be “Ignore”, like in Ignore the negatives or the naysayers.
Such a great choice of words. I think I would have to say for me either Organize or motivate…. Because right now i have lacked both…
What a great word of the year! I haven’t thought of mine yet but I’m leaning towards Joy.
I love this word!! I think mine will be planning.
I am always trying to plan ahead and be more prepared.