Every year I pick One Word for the Year. This year’s word is…….POWER
For so long I thought I lost that power. I gave a lot of it away. Along the way I have done that and reclaiming that power is my focus for 2018. This past year has been one of new friendships, new directions, travel and adventure. It was one that taught me I never lost the power but I was just straddled by the struggles. The #1 thing I learned in 2017 is that it is all going to be OK. No matter what you are going through it will be OK. It will take time, hard work, steps forward, many steps backward. It will take a village to raise you sometimes but if you look around people who care are there.
People who have had similar struggles are there too. People cannot guess your struggle so let them in. The right ones will stay by your side. I have learned about standing up for myself, my family and those who I care about but sometimes standing up means staying quiet, sitting on your hands and seeing how it unfolds. I have learned there are not so good people out there but if you surround yourself with the good ones that is the most important. Everyone has stuff on their plate and their responses may be based on what they are going through. Be there for others but remember you cannot fix their issues. Be that soft place to land. Taking on other’s problems is not what you were set out to do but you can support, stand by, and uplift them. Remind them that everything will be OK. Stay away from the drama, remember there are always two sides to the story. You never know when your story may help someone. People will come and go in your life. They are there to teach you a lesson. Trust yourself to know you have the power to let them go, ask them to stay and more importantly kick them out. I will always be learning. I will make mistakes. I will fall but I will get up.
I will forever know that humor is my way of making those around me smile, laughter is the best medicine and sometimes you cannot hide behind it. DO YOU as I always tell the kids. There is no need to follow what everyone else is doing but listening to what YOU are about and taking those actions. Life goes in full circle sometimes and make sure to keep your eyes and heart open because when one door closes there are more doors and windows to open (sometimes you have to beat the door down). You may not always know where you are going but forward momentum is key. Get up, get out, meet new people, drink wine (or grape juice), smile and know you just are not for everyone. That is OK too. Still be nice, gracious and mindful.
Some days you will feel inspired. Some days just getting up and moving takes effort. Let both happen. Being creative is not always about the masterpiece or applause but about the little things; the good dinner you cooked, writing, starting a book, coloring, family time. You need to define creativity for you.
Some things I want to focus on in 2018………finding what makes me happy. I have discovered I know what I like to wear, decor in my house, what I like to eat, etc. but what makes me happy and speaking up is hard. Simply having those around me happy is wonderful but there is more to that. The next lesson is in relaxation. Going 100 miles per hour every day takes it’s tole and I need to enjoy the down times. Juggling is hard to do and unfortunately most most have to. I try to relax but in the background I have 100 things cooking and 1000 things on my mind. Anyone want to join me?! I will not use the word Balance. Mine is one of more mindful moments, going to bed early if it suits me just to see the sun rise.
No New Year’s resolutions for me but I do know being outside and hiking makes me happy so moving my rear will be a priority. Spending time with my ever growing kids and being good at my job are priorities.
I hope you will share your ONE LITTLE WORD with me. I am prepping for CHA and have a cool prize pack I will send out to a random winner just for leaving a comment on this post! I will award that the first week of February!
Leave a comment as I would love to hear your thoughts, insights and your lessons. Thank all my friends around the world who are with me on this journey daily! Happy Near Year to all!
Let go of the fantasy that you need permission to move forward with your life. – No one is going to give you the permission you need. Don’t wait to be chosen or blessed by someone else. The chosen and blessed ones choose and bless themselves, with heart-centered focus and consistent action. Your life is YOUR choice! Know this, choose wisely, and take action.”
Power is an interesting word. When I associate power with you Tracy – I don’t see the type of power such as a Queen on a throne, demanding and expecting priority. To me – the type of power you portray is like the little engine that could. You power yourself with that ‘can do’ attitude. You power others – like me – with encouragement and inspiration. You power your family and friends like an engine powering a fan blade – sometimes on high and sometimes on low – blowing instruction and direction. And even as you proceed this year to reclaim power in some areas of your life… you are not the type to grab and run. You always look at the options, choose and then run – eheheheh!!!! It’s exciting to think of you realizing a new sense of power – new momentum in a more relaxed (less driven) way. And, as always, I will love watching you walk through another year of your life’s adventures!! Happy New Year my powerful friend!!! Xj.
You could of wrote this post for me!!! you captured the meaning for me my special friend! I certainly don’t want the power to rule the world lol. ♥
My word is sanctuary. I want to create spaces either in my home or my mind that give me peace.
I love that for your corner of the world! ♥
A very interesting post Tracy, certainly food for thought. So sorry I was unable to see you when you came to New Zealand
me too Glennis ♥
Determination. 2018 is the year that I will get up from the sidelines, and get more involved in my life. I know that sounds odd, but I haven’t been doing anything but working and watching TV. There are so many more things to do in life. With crafting in my big, fully stocked craft room being one of those things. Planning more activities with my husband of 32 years another. I need to want to be involved in my life. So determination to WANT to do these these things is most important to me this year. Wish me luck!
oh I love this ! get off the sidelines. Time to be in the game ♥
Patience
I spent the entire month of December thinking about this. I narrowed it down to three words – “balance”, “simplify”, or “less”. “Less” was winning out until just yesterday when “balance” smacked me on the side of my head.
lol balance it is then 🙂
Wow what a strong word. Great to read your post. Thanks
Thanks Lynne!
My word for this year is Action!
I need to move more, and move forward.
I need to take Action, in my life, stop taking crap from family and some supposed friends!
So you can call me Kim of Action in 2018
love it!
My 2018 is Enough
I love your word. Here’s to a happy empowered year!
cheers to that!
I have been struggling with my word. I think I have chosen play. I tend to stress too much over the creative process as well as the outcome. Is it good enough? Does it measure up? For me, I need to let go and play and enjoy!
Thanks for another fun year!
bring it on!
Thank you for explaining why you chose Power as your word. I can identify with a lot of it. Last year my word was Voice (I found it & used it). This year my word takes me to the next step: Live. I am more than halfway through my life and I want to live the width of it, not just the length.
I can tell you have put your word into action just by reading your first post of 2018! Love knowing that you are strong again and ready for whatever 2018 throws at you. But also knowing that if it throws you the occasional curve ball that you already know who your true friends are if you need a shoulder to lean on once in awhile! And I have 2 of them if you ever need them! ????
you have the two best shoulders. Your word for 2018 is Grandma! ♥
No word for me this year. Haven’t really thougth about it. Interesting and heart felt read. Power is a great word. welcome 2018.
Thanks my friend! I hope all is good! are you going to CHA?!
My word has not made itself apparent as if yet. I know it will and I wait patiently for the reveal. Power a very interesting choice and I like it. Good luck on your journey of power in 2018.
I enjoyed reading your post. My word is Organize. I picked my first word last year which was Plan and I can’t tell you how it helped me pull things together during the year. I’m hoping I can take the plan I put in place and finish this year putting it all together in an organized way. The plan is to retire by 2919 but need to be organized in a way that everything is in place (if that makes sense). Happy New Year!