Tuesday, December 31, 2013

In a Word


For the last couple of years, I've eschewed resolutions and instead have chosen a word to guide my year.  What I really need is something to come back to during the year -- all year.  An idea more than an action. Something simple, but sturdy.  Something to get me out of my tangles -- not create more.  A re-grounding, a re-centering.

So, 2014, you are about Beginnings.

A friend and I were talking about parenting recently, and she said, "Beginnings are hard."  We hadn't been talking about something that I'd even seen the "beginning" in, and it stuck with me.  When something is hard: is there a beginning in there that I have to catch up to?

I started seeing beginnings.  Other kinds of beginnings.  Some are big and profound and observable by everyone.  But, maybe even more importantly, there are lots of little beginnings.  So many are small, subtle, overlooked, invisible.  These beginnings give us the chance to choose -- if we can see them.

A beginning can be as simple as a deep breath or a new sun rising outside our window.  It can also be as complicated as forging a new path through the brambles.  But, what if even these beginnings are just series of the the deep-breath, sun out your window beginnings?

We live old patterns.  We play out old dramas.  We forget to update our files.
We stop seeing what's really in front of us.  We get caught up.  We stumble and trip over the past tangled around our ankles.

If we can remember to see beginnings, to use beginnings, to explore the possibilities, to notice where the old script has been set in motion but no longer applies, we get a fresh start.  We can use all that we really have at our disposal -- today, in this moment.

Beginnings give us more options.  They say, "Start here."

If you have a word for 2014, please consider sharing it in the comments!  I'd love to know about your journey through 2014!


15 comments:

  1. This is really great, Jen! I love the way you see beginnings!
    I have chosen "receive " and my hubby has picked "rise" and I think they compliment each other nicely!
    This is our first year picking words and I think you describe the practice of a word as a guide is wonderful!

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    1. Oh, Dawn, I love that! Gives me goosebumps thinking about you two working on that individually and together!

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  2. "Start here" <3
    You chose wonderful word, and this is a beautiful post. XO

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    1. Thank you, Angie! It's such a good practice, isn't it? I'm looking forward to hearing about your year -- adventures bring us so much!

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  3. I'm also thinking about all that you've said about the new year, too! Hey, would you consider replying with a link to your thoughts on starting a new year?

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  4. You know mine: Serenity: http://amyhoodarts.com/2014/01/01/hello-2014/

    More thoughts about the new year brewing in my head...

    And yes! On the bear hunt story. I always think of that too. Can't go over it, can't go under it, can't go around it. Have to go through it. Life is like that.

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    1. Which reminds me - I need to pull that book out for "casual reading" by all family members : )
      Looking forward to the more thoughts!

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  5. My word this year is Create: http://inspiritedmama.com/my-2014-guiding-word/

    Love your word, and love beginnings, they hold so much promise :D

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    1. Thank you! I loved your post - great snapshot of where you've been and where you're going!

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  6. That's a wonderful word. It makes sense. Beginnings can be wonderful, as can the chance to begin again.

    You already know mine: Savor. http://chocolatenotprunes.com/2014/01/01/my-focus-word-for-2014-savor/

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    1. Such a great word and a great post. I'll be coming back to it again and again. Thanks, Misa!

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  7. My word is courage: http://chamomilepunk.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-word-for-2014.html

    I love beginnings. So much hope and promise. Embracing some of my own this year, too.

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  8. I think our words go hand-in-hand. I'll be embracing plenty of yours, too! Good to have fellow travelers -- we won't get too lost this way ; )
    To 2014!

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  9. hiya, my word is 'now' & i've blogged about here - http://mamacrow.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/word-up-for-2014.html

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    1. I had just been thinking about you! Heading over there now to check out your word...
      Thanks so much for sharing it here!

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Share your ideas, too!