One Word

Are you the kind of person who has a laundry list of New Year's resolutions? Or do you subscribe to the one-word philosophy? Or do you eschew all new-year resolutions altogether? Last year I picked one word to meditate on: rest. I tried to incorporate it into the regular rhythms of my life. Let me tell you, it was hard. I'm still not very good at it. But I'm much better at thinking about how to integrate it into my life and recognizing my need for it. That's a step in the right direction, isn't it?

I've been thinking for a while about what my word for 2017 should be. I think that's a better way for me to move forward instead of setting a dozen goals that I'll likely forget about or give up on shortly after the new year begins.

In thinking about what words I want to describe me and my life, I've realized that what I really want to be known for is love. I want it to emanate from me and be painfully obvious in how I live my life.

I read a post by Jen Hatmaker a while back that really stuck with me (despite the fact that I can't seem to track it down now). It was kind of a play on words to begin with (hello! already something I love!), starting with the word beloved. It was punctuated, broken up in a way that intrigued me right from the get-go. Jen broke it down into a few different concepts that really hit home with me.

1. Beloved. It's who we are.
2. Be love. It's what we're called to do.
3. Be loved. It's how we're related to by those closest to us.

That's what I want to remember. That's how I want to live. It's all too easy to forget who we are in the chaos of daily life, losing our perspective and misplacing our priorities. This year, I want to remember who I am and what my purpose is no matter what curveballs life throws me.

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I got a necklace from my parents for my birthday that has the same message on it. It's from my friend Cambria's new business, She of Noble Character, and I adore it! It's so cute, and it's truly a great reminder that I am beloved and that I am to be love, called to live like love to the world around me.

So that's my word for 2017. Beloved. I want to remember each day that I am beloved by the Creator of the universe, my Heavenly Father, the King of Kings, the One who wins in the end. And I want to be reminded that it's my purpose in life to live like love, to be love.

Did you choose a word for 2017? I'd love to hear what it is and why you chose it!

Further reading:

Choosing Your Word for 2017 - Part 1 by Danielle Allen, One Foot Coaching

Choosing Your Word for 2017 - Part 2 by Danielle Allen, One Foot Coaching