Word

To your mother. 

 (source)

(Sorry, I couldn't resist a Vanilla Ice reference.)

Word: 

" a speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a meaning usually without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent use"(merriam-webster)

Words are something we very often take for granted. We read, speak, hear and write them on a daily basis. We use words to express our feelings and emotions both good and bad. We use words to describe the beautiful and the horrific. Sometimes, we are at a loss for words. Sometimes, we should be at a loss for words. But how often do you stop and think about the true meaning and implication of the words you put forth? Our brains (and society) are on autopilot most days and spew words without truly digesting and appreciating their meanings. We say things like "Hi, how are you?" to people at the grocery store without missing a beat. Sometimes without even stopping to hear the response. Or "Thanks, you too" as a response to the cheery "Have a great day!" the checkout person threw at you at Target. Word spewing without second thought.

But words have meaning. Often significant meaning. Meaning that deserves a second thought. Meaning that deserves daily thought.

Last year my sister-in-law proposed a new tradition in our family. Each family member was to pick a word to focus on throughout the year. A word we felt that would impact our life in one way or another (She came across the One Little Word idea on this blog if you care to read more). And being the adventurous sort that we are, we obliged. And when we gathered for our annual January Birthdays Dinner, we shared them.

My word for 2010 was Enjoy. Simply put, I wanted to enjoy the heck out of life. I figured it was a safe choice because I generally do enjoy the heck out of life. But i wanted to purposefully focus energy and thought on doing so. And since I was in the midst of "morning" sickness, I was trying to do whatever I could to not focus on the 24/7 puke-fest feeling I had going on. So enjoy, it was. 

And i did. I enjoyed 2010 immensely. Some parts more than others but that's life. But, did I intentionally and purposefully focus my energy and thoughts on that enjoyment? No. To be honest, I forgot what my word was halfway through the year.

This year when we decided to embark on the word challenge again, i was a bit hesitant. I had a list of words but couldn't narrow it down to just one. I really wanted to find a word that I could be successful with. But I couldn't figure out what that "success" should be or look like.

One word kept coming back to me again and again. It was actually the word I had chosen for last year and then forgot about until about March. So I picked it. Or maybe it picked me, I don't know. But i am hoping it is a word that I can focus on, think about and embrace. A word that will inspire me to truly enjoy (ha!) all that I have and all that is. And bring that enjoyment to others. 

So without further ado, I give you, my word. 

Abundance

1: an ample quantity: profusion

2: affluence, wealth

3: relative degree of plentifulness

(merriam-webster)

I am going to focus on the abundance I have in my life.  In all areas of my life I am blessed and more often than not I take it for granted. It is so easy to focus on thoughts and feelings of scarcity or negativity and pretty soon all that I do have is no longer "enough".  I don't know who made the rules as to what is "enough" but they can take their "enough" and shove it.  But not only do I want to focus on my (and my family's) abundance,  I want to create/share abundance in other peoples lives as well.

So there you have it. Nine letters, one word. BIG implications. Endless possibilities.


Care to join us? What is YOUR word for 2011?