#OneWord2019

For the past three years, I have chosen not to make a New Year’s Resolution. Not only does it feel inauthentic to declare huge changes on this particular day, and not only do I feel like a failure when, inevitably I fail, but I am also very aware that I am making huge life changes every single day. This blog and my 45 things project has shown me that when I try something out of my comfort zone, I learn and grow and change, and these changes last. They are not arbitrary. They are intentional.

So, in 2017 I began the new year with a word. The #oneword challenge is to choose a word that can inform how we choose to live, not what we will do. My first word in 2017 was courage. It reminded me to live bravely. When faced with something I fear, I can feel the fear (courage is not fearlessness), and do the thing anyway. In 2018 I chose the word be. I wanted to appreciate who I am in the world, and not just what I do in it. That was tough, but I learned that who I am is enough. I learned that I don’t always have to be the hero of the story. Maybe I am the author. And sometimes, maybe I am the reader.

For my #oneword2019 challenge, I am choosing the word fierce. This very intentional word reminds me to show up, to live fiercely, to love fiercely, to give my all to the people I cherish, and most of all, to show myself the same fierce love, kindness, compassion and wholeheartedness I show to others.

2019 is going to be a great year. I already know that. I can feel it. I have been courageous. I have been present. I am still intentional. I have overcome challenges and been on the hero’s journey. I am a warrior. I am fierce.

What will your #oneword be? I encourage you to take some time as 2018 closes, to reflect on your own journey. Where has the year taken you? Who has supported and edified you? What choices have you made to get you closer to where you want to be in your life? And then consider where you are going? How do you want to show up in the world?