Saturday, January 10, 2015

Words of the year, the whole story

I started my “Word of the year” feature after reading this post by Ali Edwards in 2007. The Word is a compass to guide my actions to get me where I want to go next. This is my story from 2007 to 2014 so you know what worked and what didn´t. You can find 5 tips on how to choose your own word here in this post.  
2007: NOW
Because it was time to start doing instead of only planning. It took me in the right direction.
That´s my hubbie and myself in 2007 as seen by our boy
who was 11 years old at that time
My first choice was ABUNDANCE, just because everybody was choosing something similar and I wanted my share. You may guess what happened with this “everybody else is doing it” thing. It didn´t quite work out because it was not really MY word. I gained some perspective though. A “there is enough ” feeling that allowed me to give to others which led me to my true word: community.cousins 2008
Some of my cousins and their kids in 2008
2009: AWARENESS
By March I had to ditch it as it was driving me crazy, too much awareness was overwhelming. Be careful with what you wish for, you may get it.
Took my journal to the jungle in July 2009
My best experience so far. I found my word at the enchanted girl lake. I actually “heard” the word whispered by the rocks. I paid so much attention to what I was told and the opportunities offered that nowadays we call 2010 The Year of Change. 
It had a great beginning, making myself heard and taking painting lessons to express in other ways than with words. About September it diluted and the mad dash to the end of the year drowned everything. Lesson learnt: revisit your word on a regular basis, keep it present.
Deeper than the ocean, higher than the sky. Keeping it in mind I expanded my tribe, joining new projects like Sunday SnippetsMy month in Numbers and Blogtoberfest , launching my blog in Spanish (which I closed later), connecting with new people on Facebook (come and play with me!) while going deeper with Jamie for Wishcasting Wednesdays and Full Moon Boards.
2013: ENERGY
All the fast forward movement in 2012 left me on the verge of burn out. I wanted to be more careful with my energy cycles. My energy was going to be my focus this year, starting by a “renewal” stage in January.
2013 was high energy but also high strung with my headless chicken crash and burn style taken to the limit. It became a “reactive” year with long To Do lists. Click here to have a look at all I did in 2013.

2014: PROSPER

It all started with Jamie Ridler´s workshop Prosper.
Mmmmmmmm. Nice. Prosper. Delicious word, isn´t it? A positive “be better off” thing that leads to a “feel better” situation. I wanted that. Still I wasn´t that sure.
The investigation part began, starting by the definition:
1.- To be fortunate or successful, especially in terms of one’s finances; thrive.
2.- to thrive, succeed, etc., or cause to thrive, succeed, etc. in a healthy way
So I can use it for me AND others? This word was getting better and better. 
It is a verb, an action word. Looking for synonyms I found: succeed (I was looking forward to this), advance (good compass), progress (ditto), thrive (sounded awesome), make it, flower, get on, do well, flourish, bloom (another good compass: does this make me bloom?), make good (easy to see and measure), be fortunate, grow rich.
Being the Scy-Fi fan that I am  “Prosper” became “Live long and prosper”, which coming from Mr. Spock, half over analytical Vulcan and half emotional human ( any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, well … why deny it 😉 ) seemed so fit.
What did “prosper” mean to me? My own planner gave me the answer. words of the year
During 2014 I hosted my first local on line workshop, created my own dot com websites and posted for myself and other blogs, got chosen for the International Bloggers Association board, wrote a series of 30 interviews with international artists, participated/moderated groups and more.
What´s next? Choosing a Word for 2015!

Have you chosen a Word of the Year for 2015? Have you set an intention?

Come by next week to know what I´ve chosen this year!

40 thoughts on “Words of the year, the whole story

  • January 7, 2015 at 7:32 am
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    These are great tips for choosing what works and what doesn’t. This year is the first year I have really started making goals for myself. The word I chose is commitment. I have made a commitment to myself to be the best I can be and finish what I start. Thanks for sharing.
    Reply
    • January 7, 2015 at 1:51 pm
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      Commitment is a powerful word Rebecca. You can use it each time you feel you are leaving a project behind to get you to finish it. It also implies a strong sense of intention on doing things.
      Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 7:55 am
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    I’ve heard so much about the words of the year, and I love the idea behind it. I’ve been trying to come up with a perfect word for my year, but it is so hard to decide!
    Reply
    • January 7, 2015 at 1:55 pm
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      Start by a long list Samantha! 😀 That way you get them all out. After that, write how you want to feel this year, what you´d love to accomplish and even what is important for you. Then go back to the original list and circle those words that describe what you wrote. You will see the trend and you´ll be able to discard all those words that are not yours or right for you at this point. You can go through this a couple of times until you have one main word and maybe two/three others as support. :)
      Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 10:29 am
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    It’s great to have a word to describe your years. My word for 2015 is positivity and I am really trying to make this year as happy and positive as can be for my family and I.
    Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 11:08 am
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    Your Family looks strong keep it up. Looks happy family. Thanks for sharing, and this is a great idea!
    Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 1:07 pm
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    Prosper is a great word for 2015 and it would push people to do better. Having a word for each year is really a unique concept. Maybe I should start a similar tradition.
    Reply
    • January 7, 2015 at 2:04 pm
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      A guiding word keeps you focused and on track Franc. For every choice you have to make, you check what takes you closer and what takes you further from your North. Have you set goals for 2015?
      Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 1:37 pm
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    This is actually a really interesting concept. I hadn’t heard of doing a theme word for a year until last week and now I’m seeing it everywhere. It’s really interesting about how focusing on one thing can bring all sorts of new things into awareness and put a new perspective on life.
    Reply
    • January 7, 2015 at 2:07 pm
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      It is getting wider spread along the years Erin. For me, the word works better than a hard set of resolutions. It gives me freedom to act and at the same time it focus me on my goals.
      Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 2:30 pm
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    This is such a great practice, choosing a word for every year. I’ve never done it myself, but I think it’s such an awesome concept. Go you for being so successful at it for so many years!
    Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 3:12 pm
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    I love this idea of choosing a word for the year, my priest mentioned it at church and this year the word Joy. 2014 really sounds like was a great year for you
    Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 5:12 pm
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    Ahhhh loving the word prosper for your 2015 word! I keep telling my self I should do this every year, and well it never happens lol….
    Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 6:25 pm
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    I keep seeing post about words and goals and I’m determined to have a word a month to go by. I just have to figure out what they are going to be, lol.
    Reply
    • January 12, 2015 at 11:29 am
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      Sometimes the word comes to you “just like that”. Sometimes you need to work to undig it from your fears and “shoulds”. Great point about having the word for a shorter period.
      Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 7:44 pm
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    You have picked some really great words over the years! I still haven’t ever chosen one word. I just don’t think one word encompasses all that I need to do!
    Reply
    • January 12, 2015 at 11:31 am
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      I get what you say. When there are too many things to change/do it can get overwhelming. Focus on one and then another and then another and then … you get my drift. When you shower you use shampoo and soap but you do not apply them at the same time. One first, then another. Life in general works the same way. One first, then another one.
      Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 9:08 pm
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    I love that you have carried this tradition for so long! This is the first year I have had a word and it’s healing. We’ve had a rough time of things lately and that;s exactly what we need right now.
    Reply
  • January 7, 2015 at 10:40 pm
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    It’s great to see your growth through all the years! I love the words you’ve chosen. They really show your dedication to your family.
    Reply
  • January 8, 2015 at 1:10 am
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    Hi Paula, Happy New Year to you.
    This was a great post – it was so interesting to see your journey on word choosing.
    It will be interesting to see what word you have picked for 2015 and then see how you progress with it through the year.
    Wishing you all the best.
    Toni xx
    Reply
  • January 8, 2015 at 11:43 am
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    Happy New Years! I must say I have enjoyed looking at your blog today. The word Idea is great. And what a great way to reflect. Thank you for sharing
    Reply
  • January 9, 2015 at 3:12 am
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    I love this! This is so sweet and I love all the pictures of your family. I think my word for this year would be ‘proactive’.
    Reply
  • January 12, 2015 at 12:40 am
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    I never knew there was such a thing as words of the year. I love this concept thought. This is a powerful post and I am so glad to know this.
    Reply
  • January 20, 2015 at 9:04 am
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    Great word Paula. Mine for this year is peace…not something I thought I’d choose but already proving to be perfect. X
    Reply
    • January 20, 2015 at 11:07 am
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      So happy to read you are finding your word a good fit! My vision of the year is still developing. It´s the first time I´m so late in choosing. I feel I´m missing the “real” one.
      Reply
      • January 20, 2015 at 11:59 am
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        I think I chose one in April once because I’d forgotten to do it earlier! 😀 And some I’ve chosen early I’ve forgotten about by February. Trust yourself to be right about the timing and right about the word…or right about the word not being quite right! You’re allowed to change your mind…lol. xx
        Reply

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