One Word: Inspire

It's that time of year...the time we arbitrarily close the cycle of days that has come before and look forward to a New Year.  One filled. one hopes, with promises, joy, and many good things.  As I've written about before, I'm not much of a one for resolutions, I prefer goals.  Each year I do sit down and think about what I would like to accomplish for the upcoming months.  To set out a roadmap that I can at least use as a guide to moving forward.

This year, a random post by my friend Trudy Scott posed the question what would you pick as your defining word for the upcoming year.  She heard about it over at Intent.com.  I was immediately struck by how powerful this could be.  The idea of focusing in on just one word.  One defining concept and trying to achieve the goals set by that word.   After much thought, writing and crossing out, saying aloud, and defining, I've hit on a word.  Inspire.

The dictionary defines this as:

inspire - verb (used with object)

1.  to exert a stimulating or beneficial effect upon
2. to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc)
3. to guide, influence, or impel
4. to take or draw (air, gas, etc), into the lungs; inhale
5. archaic to breathe into or upon

I find myself motivated by this one word.  I see so many permutations of how it might be used as a focal point over the next 12 months.

As a nutrition educator and real food advocate I am always seeking to help those around me.  To support them so they can make educated choices for themselves and their loved ones when it comes to their food and health.  Through my work, my writings, lectures, and connections I hope to inspire people to make those choices for health.

I frequently 'shout out' about a wide range of topics all related to food, nutrition, and holistic health in an effort to motivate others.  [An example is all those who are now aware (and disgusted) about the use of chicken poop as cow feed - if this bothers you please tell the FDA how you feel by signing this petition].  While it's often upsetting information, I am very sincere in my desire to share this not as a means of upsetting people but in the hopes that they will be, indeed, inspired to make different choices and to speak out in their turn, to have an impact.

Inhaling, breathing, is a good thing.  I believe we all need to do more of that.  Especially deep breathing.  Taking a moment in time to draw air deeply into our lungs has a beneficial effect when it comes to lowering stress.  We should all do more of that, myself included.  Breathing in sharply can be a sign of surprise, of interest, an aha! moment.  I hope to find, and share, more of those moments throughout the year ahead.

But inspire is a word that I chose not only because of how I hope to use it to connect with those around me, but because of what I hope that focus can mean for me.  I want to be inspired.  I want to find that surprise, those guiding, influencing moments that I know lie ahead.  To do that means I need to be aware, open to the possibility, to the gifts that bring those moments of inspiration.  I also need to be open to the opportunity to share, to give, to be inspired.

It turns out that other people are interested in the idea of a one word focus.  You can connect with them through the OneWord365 website.  You can find a word that speaks to you, connect with others who share your word, or just set your intention for the year.  I'd love to hear your word and why you chose it, leave a comment below and share.

Wishing a healthy, happy, peaceful and joyous New Year to you all.

Be well.