What’s your Word?
I recently I had this wonderful little conversation with a couple of friends over a cup of cappuccino.
As we were sitting there catching up, my friend asked, what is your “word” for the year?
Ironically, I had been thinking about “my word.”
If this is unfamiliar territory, sometimes thinking of one word which represents you and your aspirations for the year can be useful. It’s a word that can be grounding and purposeful, and keep you on track - in spaces that you've identified as important.
The word I chose for this year is INSPIRE.
I realize that there are not too many things more gratifying than when I know my work with a client has inspired them to take productive, healthy steps forward.
I also want to look for inspiration in different areas:
Creating spaces that are comfortable and cozy, a respite to read a book, write, think, or share a conversation
Being outdoors - Nature and long hikes in the woods, skiing and snowshoeing through the snow, sitting by the water, a walk around the neighborhood
Travel and meeting new people
Prioritizing time with my family and friends, because I always know that when I find the time to sit down and have meaningful conversations or share an experience, I am fulfilled. I am inspired.
So back to our gal pal coffee chat. My two friends left the conversation noodling around with what meaningful word was going to present itself.
Within a couple days, they had both landed on their “words.”
Even though these declarations were coming through a stream of text messages, I could sense the excitement they both felt having landed on a word that was going to be their guiding mantra for the year.
And then came over the most beautiful poem - a representation of what one friend's word means to her, in a level of detail that lays-out a thoughtful roadmap.
With her permission, I’m sharing her “word” poem. Not only is it beautifully written, I believe many of you will feel a connection to this word.
As a Mom and a busy CEO, this friend struggles to find any meaningful time for herself. It’s a story that most of us are familiar with. We always have so many demands tugging away at us, we end our days pretty well depleted.
In recognizing that, she strives for self-care this year.
Her word is NOURISH.
NOURISH
I will be feeding myself in a different way this year.
I have been left feeling hungry, starved, really.
It's hard to be incandescent, rejuvenated and restored when there's no spiritual
or physical energy to draw on.
Quick to hand out to others, I have neglected to sustain myself.
I will slow down the outreach, not withdraw from it completely.
I will ask myself - What do you need? - first,
before giving away my energy, my thoughts, my heart, my time.
This year I will be giving myself offerings of:
Sleep, Delicious Food, Music, Singing, Piano, Harp, Symphony, Opera, Art, Painting, Sculpting
Visiting Museums to experience the Masters
Acting, Theater, Classes, Monologue practice, Creating, Writing, Collaging, Drawing, Love, Beauty
And Time:
Alone time, Meditation time, Workout time, Quiet time, Beach time, Snow time, Museum time, Travel time, Bird-watching time, Reading time, Friend time, Family time.
ALL IN GOOD TIME.
- Cathy Bonczek
CEO, CCB Communications, LLC
@copyright 2023
Now isn't that inspiring? What is your word for 2023?