For the last few years I have a claimed a word as my “word of the year”. It is a word that becomes my mantra and the light I filter every decision through. It is also a word that usually encompasses something I suck at and need to improve on…{giggle}!
In 2010 my word was “Together”. See I liked to be a lone ship, a self-made woman, in control of my destiny, etc. What I learned was that God never intended life to be lived that way. He wants us in community with others – caring, loving, working through conflict, and relying on one another. That same truth also applies in blogging. So in 2010 I did just that, I linked arms with like-minded women in my personal life and also in my professional (blogging) life. In the end, I was stronger and better because of the women I surrounded myself with.
Last year my word was “Balance.” I worked my butt of on my blog in 2010 — to the detriment of my family, marriage and health. I knew I had to make some changes to find stability and longevity in working and being a mom, wife and child of God. So I set work hours, I lost 20 pounds, had consistent date night, and I was more intentional about my time with my family.
So 2012 my word is “intentional”. Intentional is an adjective which means “done with intention or on purpose; intended.” I want to live life on purpose this year, how about you!?!?
![be intentional[4]](https://knockoffdecor.com/85d9bdde8614_1312D/be-intentional4.jpg "be intentional[4]")
I want to be intentional with my family — My husband and I want to create one meaningful experience with our kids each month. It will be something that we plan and don’t just let happen. We want to be intentional about making memories, teaching them values, and having fun together.
I want to be intentional in my relationships — I have done a really crappy job this year with creating the space for time with my girlfriends. I think when you are a mom of little ones, a devoted wife and a blogger there isn’t much space for anything else. I have missed that girl dynamic in my life and I am choosing to be intentional with cultivating those relationships that push, strengthen and stretch me.
I want to be intentional with my health — This past year I lost twenty pounds and I want to keep it off. I am sick of being the human yo-yo with my weight. I want to be intentional about what I put in my mouth and the amount of time I spend exercising. I also want to run a 10K and a 15K this year.
I want to be intentional in my blogging — I want to use my platform to speak to issues that are close to my heart, mentor young bloggers, and inspire women to create. I also want to be intentional with my work hours setting a plan of action so that I can use my time wisely and efficiently.
This word is going to challenge this “Fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants” kinda girl. I love to be last minute, go with the flow and despise mapping out my days. But I also realize to be effective and leave my mark on this world I need to be intentional about doing that.
What is your word this year?
I am linking up to:
I really love the meaning behind your word this year. They are reasonable and attainable goals but require mindfulness. I have had a word for the last few years as well. This year’s is reduce. The goal is to reduce the physical clutter, to let go of unnecessary obligations and to find joy in the empty space. Good luck!
Love your word, Beckie! I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you & forming a friendship. So looking forward to a wonderful new year with all my blog buddies. xoxo
Your word is great. My word this year is “Focus.” and then the tagline after it is “Reducing the “Squirrel!” Moments.” (I have far too many moments when I get distracted like the dogs on the movie UP. My husband even calls squirrel when I turn to something else. It’s quite comical, but it’s a great reminder for me to focus on what I’m doing instead of doing thousands of things at once and never finishing anything. 🙂
I love that you share your reasons for choosing each word and how it worked out for you. I think “Intentional” is a word that could work for many of us! You are a wonderful presence in the blogosphere, and I know you must be in your personal life too. 🙂 Good luck with “Intentional” this year!
I like intentional. I think it could be a great motivator.
My word this year is RECLAIM.
Hoping to get back some things that are important to me, like order, etc 🙂
Posted about it here
http://craftingintherain.blogspot.com/2011/12/word-of-year.html
What a fabulous word! I love that it covers lots of areas in your life and doesn’t limit you! Congrats on sticking to your goals last year and working towards that this year!
Saw your post over at Layla’s link party – seems we picked the same word this year! Good luck meeting your goals. Take care, Laura
Ryan and I decided that our family motto for this year would be “Be Intentional” too… in all aspects of our lives, just like you said. Intentional in our habits, our food intake, our exercise, our use of time, our parenting, etc. Looking forward to seeing what benefits we can reap from it!
My word is “intentional,” too! I told my hubby on New Year’s Eve that I wanted to be more intentional this year, and then Layla talked about her word for the year and I was excited, because I already had one picked out!
Here’s to a lovely, intentionally lived, year. 🙂
Eeek! Intentional is my word, too! And although I didn’t go into detail – my “intentions” are almost the same as yours!
I also chose the word Intentional and for many similar reasons. Living life on purpose rather than just existing in life. Good luck for 2012!
I have picked the same word, and I know of one other person who has done the same. I am totally with you on doing things on purpose or with purpose! You say you want to mentor young bloggers, I hope you only mean “young” as in having been blogging long and not age. 🙂 I know I could use all the help I can get!
Wonderful sentiment behind your word choice. Blessings on being intentional in all your desired areas.
Great word choice and it feels so relevant to all aspects of life. 😉
Intentional was my “one little word” in a project on big picture classes last year. It is a GREAT word. Good luck with it as a compass in adventures this year.
Yes young as in newbie not young as in age.
Thanks Rhoda! Me too…super excited for 2012 and where it takes us. So glad to be on this journey together.
I love your word B! Intentional. It’s just so solid and meaningful! This is the first year I’ve participated in a one word resolution type activity. It’s been a very thought provoking experience. My word for 2012? Courage.
I chose an inspirational word each year also! I choose FLOURISH
Forgive myself and others
Love deeply for myself and others
Optimize my Well-being
Urge others and myself to teach and not judge
Revel in my own personal power
Irrigate old non-serving thoughts
Sustain my soul
Heal my Health
DETERMINATE should be my word this year. I have good and doable plans laid out in front of me and all need to make them real is to be determinate and go through with them
I am so happy to have stumbled upon your blog as I was going through Pinterest.
I have made 2012 the year to reinvent myself in various aspects of my life (and blog) and needed this motivating post to keep me going.
Thank you!
Yay thanks for stopping by. I sure hope you will feel at home here.
I already do – thanks to you and your great ideas I have woken up the crafter in me. =)
Smooches Jessie!!!