Tag Archives: word of the year

Word Of The Year

by MiraUncategorized2024, new year, word of the year

Back in 2013 I was challenged by a business coach to pick a word of the year. A single word that would encompass my goals and guide me for the year ahead. Each year since then I've continued to go through the process of picking a word.

This year word that resonates the most with me is Clarity.

2024 Word of the Year: Clarity
ˈklarɪti

noun

the quality of being coherent and intelligible.
the quality of being certain or definite.
the quality of transparency or purity.
the quality of being easy to see or hear; sharpness of image or sound.

2023 was a very full year. Who am I kidding? The last few years have been over-full, challenging, and more than a little overwhelming for everyone. I think we all have been through a maelstrom, and are just now beginning to wake up from the chaos and confusion that started in 2020 with the advent of Covid.

As I look back over the previous year, I am noticing a pattern. It's become apparent that I have narrowed my focus on certain things in my life, both personally and professionally. I realize, in this narrowing down, that what I am doing is making the way clear for what is to come next. I am making room to be more focused and more present. I’m also making room for opportunity and change to show up and be available in my life. By simplifying, by clarifying, I'm essentially unmuddying the waters of my life.

So much of the work I do in sharing about ingredients, focusing on preparedness, and sharing holistic health and wellness information is already about helping others like you learn and see and notice what's impacting them and their lives. It's about educating and equipping you to make informed choices. It's about making things clearer and more transparent. Plus, I believe the more you know the more you notice. That has an echo of clarity to as well.

Focusing on clarity and what lies ahead will, I think, help make life less stressful. It feels like clarity also brings the promise of abundance. I'm excited to see how clarity will show up for me in the year that lies ahead of us.

As I learn to open up to the light of clarity in my own life, I'm also looking forward to sharing what I learn with those in my community and supporting them on their clearer and more defined wellness journey.

I think it's going to be a beautiful year ahead.

Previous Words

PS If you have celebrations that are joyful and warming to your heart, or books that resonate with this theme for you I'd like to hear about them. I'd also love to know if you've chosen a word for 2023 and what it is. You can drop a comment in the online community.

Celebrate Is The Word Of The Year

by Miraholidays2023, word of the year

Here we are on the other side of that magical divide that makes up a year. And, like each of the previous years, I’ve picked a word to be my guiding focus for the year ahead.

Thinking about last year

Last year, 2022, my word was Illuminate. I was astonished at how many different ways the word showed up for me throughout the year. Certain things were made clear, or illuminated, for me as I moved through the year. Then, on more than one occasion, I realized the word was at work when people told me I had helped them to see things from a different perspective. In effect lighting the way.

Although at times 2022 had its fair share of challenges, (doesn't every year?) overall when I look back I do see a clearly illuminated path and feel grateful that we managed to navigate a number of difficult situations.

I was once again struck by how very powerfully a word can show up in your life and business when you choose it to be your primary focus for an entire year.

Choosing a word for 2023

Now for 2023! I had thought I had my word but then realized it wasn't resonating or sitting very well. I picked another word and during a gathering of a sisterhood of amazing women I belong to shared it with everyone. I was positive that this new word was the one and now that I had spoken it aloud in the presence of others it would be so. However it soon became clear that wasn't my word either.

Feeling more than a little off-kilter I decided to stop trying so hard and trust that the word would come to me. It's amazing sometimes what happens when we let go and let flow simply move through us and the situation at hand.

While it didn't happen immediately, my word did eventually reveal itself. For me there's a sense of “click” or rightness that happens when I somehow stumble on the word that I believe I'm meant to focus on for the year ahead. This year it's

Celebrate.

Definition of Celebrate verb (used with object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.

to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities:to celebrate Christmas; to celebrate the success of a new play.

to make known publicly; proclaim:The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines.

to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels:a novel celebrating the joys of marriage; the countryside celebrated in the novels of Hardy.

to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies; solemnize:to celebrate a marriage.

Thoughts about Celebrate

When I think about Celebrate I feel infused with a sense of joy. An almost it's-about-time feeling. I've realized that the last few years have been so challenging for so many of us on a number of different levels that perhaps we've not been celebrating as much as we should. Plus I know stress levels are high. A number of clients have expressed a sense of blah and frustration with what is going on in the world.

Having chosen Celebrate as my word of the year my initial thinking is to make room in my life to celebrate every thing. The big things, certainly, but even the little things. To find ways to incorporate more celebration into my everyday.

I'm also creating a goal for myself to be more mindful, to help family, friends, my clients, and others I'm working with to celebrate more. Perhaps we'll create celebratory rituals or find ways to help us all infuse that sense of celebration into life. I really can't say what will show up. But I do know I'm excited for the year ahead and cannot wait to see how this world reveals itself throughout 2023.

2021 Word Of The Year: Illuminate

by MiraUncategorizedword of the year

The tradition of a new word

It is mind-boggling to believe that we have arrived at the end of another year. I find myself astonished to realize that on a number of levels I am standing at yet another cusp in my life.

Time, of course, is a human linear construct. But even though I tell myself that I still find myself honoring and responding to the rhythms of the seasons and the shifts that come with the calendar.

One tradition that for me has become a truly powerful practice is choosing a word of the year. Just one word that I can call in to be my touchstone, my guiding force. I find myself referring back to it frequently as I go through the year. I also find that when I choose a word, all brand new and sparkly at the beginning of the year, it often has unexpected resonance. I have always found myself astonished by how powerful and impactful the word becomes. In ways I couldn't even have imagined.

Choosing My Word

Although in some years my word flows to me, choosing just one word is never easy. This year was no exception. I was feeling stuck between two words and wound up having a conversation with a friend. She was helping me noodle out why I was considering the words. Then in the middle of our conversation she mentioned the word illuminate and I felt a resonance that let me know that was the word I had been seeking.

As always I turn to the dictionary to find the meaning of the word.

il·lu·mi·nate - (ĭ-lo͞o′mə-nāt′)

To provide or brighten with light.
To decorate or hang with lights.

a. To make understandable; clarify

b. To enlighten intellectually or spiritually; enable to understand:

To adorn (a page of a book, for example) with ornamental designs, images, or lettering in brilliant colors or precious metals.

I'm drawn to the interpretation of brightening with light, both personally, to seek illumination in a variety of ways, and also for the gift of illuminating a path for others, helping them to understand. As always I'm intrigued to see how this word will show up in my life for the year ahead.

Prior Words

Each year as I chose my new word of the year I take a moment to reflect back on the words of prior years. This year I was introduced to the concept that the words stack on top of each other, creating layers or strata, amplifying and supporting the other words in the list. I really like that thought and I'm enjoying looking through the journey of the years that these words represent.

I'd like to encourage you to find a word of your own for the year. If you're looking for a community or for a list of words to choose from, one of my favorite resources is OneWord365. I'd also encourage you to sit quietly with a nice cup of tea, or have a conversation with a friend, and simply ponder. Chances are your word will find you. Then be open to the possibilities that word will bring into your life in the year ahead.

What's your one word?

2019 Word Of The Year: Simple

by Mirahabitsword of the year

Since 2013 I have picked a Word every year to be my focus for the upcoming year. As I've written about before it's never an easy process.* As a matter of fact, it can be downright difficult to pick one single word that becomes the guiding focus of the year. And oddly enough it's amazing how much that word will resonate throughout your year and your life. Last year's word, Change, for example, turned out to be really powerful on a lot of different levels both personally and professionally.

New Year New Word

This year, as I was going through the mental gyrations that I go through each year, I was beginning to despair of ever finding just the right word. I usually start by reading the words from previous years. This allows me to revisit my thought process and to reconnect with my intention setting goals. I then reflect back on the previous year; giving myself a report card of sorts.

Luckily I'm not the only one who does this. At an end-of-year wrap-up meeting with some colleagues, we wound up discussing how challenging it can be to narrow your focus for the year ahead to just one word. One of my friends, Kirstin Nussgruber, mentioned that her word of the year for 2019 was going to be Simple. As soon as she said that it really resonated with me. I announced that I was borrowing it and we were going to be word-buddies for 2019.

The Meaning of a Word

Part of the reason that picking a word is so difficult is that, for me, it that it has to truly have meaning. There has to be some deep reasoning behind it to make it my word. This is because for an entire year I am going to sit down and regularly focus on this word. It's also going to start showing up in my life in a lot of different ways.

Sometimes, like this year, it's an internal "click" which lets me intuitively know that I've found the correct word. Once I've found the word, whatever it is, I then need to absorb it on a number of different levels in order to really make it my own. I start by looking up the meaning and then doing some journaling and introspective thought around the word.

According to the dictionary some of the meanings of the word simple are as follows:

Simple
[sim-puhl]
adjective,sim·pler, sim·plest.

easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools.
not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.
not ornate or luxurious; unadorned: a simple gown.
not complicated: a simple design.
not complex or compound; single.
occurring or considered alone; mere; bare: the simple truth; a simple fact.
free of deceit or guile; sincere; unconditional: a frank, simple answer.

A Personal Journey

This resonates with me on so many different levels. First, and foremost, I am craving some simplicity in my life. After dealing with the last 16 months since Hurricane Harvey life has, quite frankly, been a bit of a roller coaster. Simple sounds really good right about now. There are a lot of areas of my life, home, work, relationships, personal development, that could all benefit from a focus on simplicity.

I also find myself really loving the idea of simple as not complicated. What I do, as The Ingredient Guru, can sometimes be very challenging for a lot of people to get stay abreast of. There is so much misinformation, conflicting information, and partial truths that staying on top of what's really in and on your food is a full-time job. I'm lucky, I love what I do, the research, delving into the information, and sharing. I'm also tremendously grateful that people see me as a trusted resource. I like taking what can be an overwhelming topic and making it simple, i.e., easy to understand and to implement.

Find Your Word

I encourage you to adopt the practice of creating an intention word for the year. You'll be amazed at how powerful it can be to condense the focus for an entire year down to one single word. If you'd like you can even join in the fun with others over at OneWord365 and see who else is in your word tribe.

And whatever the upcoming year brings for you I wish you warmth and wonder, joy and health. Be well.

* Prior words of the year: Inspire, Focus, Mindfulness, Balance, and Change.

Word Of The Year: Focus

by Mirachange, habits, holidaysword of the year

New day, new year, new word. Each year I pick a word of the year. One word that I use to help me pay attention to my goals and to give me a touchpoint to refer to throughout the year. It sounds simple but it's harder than you think to pick just one word. To think about the overall goals for the year ahead, to find something meaningful that resonates within me as my inspiration.

This year I've chosen the word focus. Last year's word was balance and I certainly put a lot of thought and effort into staying mindful with that word. I feel like I did better with the whole work-life-spirit-me-others balancing act (although there is always room for improvement). But being in balance and being focused are two very different things.

When I chose the word focus I had not really thought about all of the different meanings. I was concentrating on the verb, to become more focused. I meant it to be more attentive to things and to narrow down on what's important. To try to winnow through some of the distractions and what I call "The Octopus." You're probably familiar with it. The Octopus is where you feel like you have everything under control, then you get distracted by other things but you fold them in to what you're doing. Then you start spinning another plate or two and the next thing you know you're overwhelmed, trying to figure out how to corral everything back under control.

But it's a noun as well, bringing something into focus and I like that idea as I begin on the path that is this delicious new adventure of a new year. And it turns out I also like another definition as well. To become a central point. I see that as being your resource, your go to person for reliable information about ingredients, food, nutrition, and health. That loops back to the first time I did the word of the year challenge and chose the word inspire (you can read about that word here).

If you'd like to pick a word of the year consider writing it down. You can even go online to OneWord365.com and find others who are using the same word as you are. Whatever your goals are for this new year I wish you many good things along the journey.

focus

[foh-kuh s]

noun, plural focuses, foci

1. a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity: The need to prevent a nuclear war became the focus of all diplomatic efforts.

2. Physics. a point at which rays of light, heat, or other radiation meetafter being refracted or reflected.

3. Optics.

the focal point of a lens, on which rays converge or from which they deviate.
the focal length of a lens; the distance from a focal point to acorresponding principal plane.
the clear and sharply defined condition of an image.
the position of a viewed object or the adjustment of an opticaldevice necessary to produce a clear image:
in focus; out of focus.

4. Geometry. (of a conic section) a point having the property that the distances from any point on a curve to it and to a fixed line have a constant ratio for all points on the curve.

5. Geology. the point of origin of an earthquake.

6. Pathology. the primary center from which a disease develops or in which it localizes.

verb (used with object), focused, focusing or (especially British)focussed, focussing.

7. to bring to a focus or into focus; cause to converge on a perceived point: to focus the lens of a camera.

8. to concentrate: to focus one's thoughts; to focus troop deployment in the east.

verb (used without object), focused, focusing or (especiallyBritish) focussed, focussing.

9. to be or become focused: My eyes have trouble focusing on distant objects.

10. to direct one's attention or efforts: Students must focus in class.

Word Of The Year: Balance

by Mirachange, family, healthword of the year

Last year with the encouragement of my friend Sue Painter I chose a word to focus on for the upcoming year. It was the word inspire. And last year was definitely a year of inspiration, change, and huge personal growth.

I enjoyed the process so much that I decided to do it again. Oddly enough it's not that easy to pick a word. When you stop to consider that this word is a guiding focus for the year ahead, to think about how to condense all of your goals and hopes into one single word, it can be a bit overwhelming.

After much careful consideration I've chosen the word balance. The dictionary defines it as:

bal·ance (ˈbaləns/Submit)

noun

1. an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.

synonyms: stability, equilibrium, steadiness, footing

stability of one's mind or feelings.

"the way to some kind of peace and personal balance"

SAILING
the ability of a boat to stay on course without adjustment of the rudder

2. a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.
synonyms: fairness, justice, impartiality, evenhandedness, egalitarianism, equal opportunity

ART
harmony of design and proportion, the relative volume of various sources of sound.

3. an apparatus for weighing, especially one with a central pivot, beam, and a pair of scales

synonyms: scale(s), weighing machine

the zodiacal sign or constellation Libra

4. a counteracting weight or force

synonyms: counterbalance, counterweight, stabilizer, compensation

the regulating device in a mechanical clock or watch.

5. a predominating weight or amount; the majority.

6. a figure representing the difference between credits and debits in an account; the amount of money held in an account.

the difference between an amount due and an amount paid

synonyms: remainder, outstanding amount, rest, residue, difference, remaining part, an amount left over

verb

verb: balance; 3rd person present: balances; past tense: balanced; past participle: balanced; gerund or present participle: balancing

1. keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall

synonyms: steady, stabilize, poise, level

remain in a steady position without falling

2. offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another

synonyms: weigh, weigh up, compare, evaluate, consider, assess, appraise, judge

As a word nerd, I love the fact that it's both a noun and a verb. But even more, I like what it stands for and how my focus in the year ahead, my intention, is to seek balance, find balance, be balanced, and to provide balance for others.

As part of how I practice I assist people with their health goals, that brings them into balance with their bodies. As a holistic health practitioner I support them in looking at all aspects of their current state of being, that brings them into balance in many different areas of their life, a "way to some kind of peace and personal balance." That really resonates with me; I hope to be the rudder that helps others find the balance they need.

On a more personal note is the idea of balancing so that "different elements are equal or in the correct proportions." As I focus on the year ahead I need to be mindful of balancing my own healing journey with my food sensitivities, my personal commitments, my clients, time with friends, spiritual growth, focus on family, and personal development. That balancing act is never easy, but I believe it's worth focusing on.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, peaceful year ahead!

One Word: Inspire

by Mirachange, habits, holidaysword of the year

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.

Tag Archives: word of the year