@bethvogt
It’s that time of year again, friends.
What time of year? The time when I ask, “Are you a resolution kind of person or a One Word kind of person?”
I’m wrapping up my 14th year choosing One Word for the year and I haven’t missed New Year’s resolutions. At all.
Writing up a list? Don’t miss it.
Comparing my list to other people’s lists and rewriting it? Don’t miss it.
Losing said list within days of writing it? Don’t miss it.
The advantage of picking One Word to focus on? It’s difficult to lose track of a single word – even if I wanted to. And when my One Word is paired with a Scripture verse and a visual of some sort – a photograph or a plaque or a piece of jewelry I wear almost every day of the year – I’m reminded of my word for the year twice-over.
This year? Things are a bit different than in years past. How so, you ask? Am I going back to resolutions?
No and no and no.
But usually by this time I have my One Word for the upcoming year. And my verse. And my visual.
Right now?
I got nothing for 2020.
This year’s One Word was “Anchor,” and I looked forward to lasering in on that word. Anchor linked back to my 2014 One Word “Think,” where I focused on anchoring my thoughts on the truth. With the word Anchor, I wanted to do the same thing, spurred on by my anchor verses – specific Bible verses that I return to again and again during difficult times.
As the year progressed, I kept thinking, “Anchoring my thoughts is so much harder than I expected!”
Then I had breakfast with my friend, Starry, who likes to sail. We were talking about anchoring our thoughts and she said, “You know, it’s really hard to anchor a boat.”
Really?
And Starry went on to tell my how it’s easy to dock a boat. But how, when you anchor a boat, you’re working against the wind and the current – circumstances that can change so quickly.
Circumstances can change so quickly.
Ah! With her words, I finally understood what was going on. Circumstances – the reason it’s difficult to anchor a boat – are the same reason it’s difficult to anchor our thoughts.
I wasn’t failing during these past months. I was learning. Trying. Not quitting. Day in and day out, I was anchoring my thoughts, adjusting to the changes in my circumstances.
Starry changed my thinking about my One Word – and about the past 10 months.
Sometimes it takes the words of a friend to change our perspective.No, I don’t have my One Word for 2020 yet, and I’m okay with that.
And, even more, I am much encouraged about my One Word for this past year as I’m waiting for my One Word for the upcoming year. Listening with my heart. Praying.
What about you? Do you prefer resolutions or One Word? Or something else completely different?
When Words are Powerful Enough to Change Our Perspective http://bit.ly/32QHcIA #words #change Click To Tweet 'No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.' Quote by John Keating http://bit.ly/32QHcIA #quote #words #perspective Click To Tweet
Comments 21
I’ve One Word for the coming year
that I’ll be meeting sometime never,
enfolding every hope and fear,
and that One Word must be Whatever.
The dreams have now all leached away,
the hopes are wrecked upon the shore,
the future’s down to come-what-may
and everywhere’s a close-locked door.
I know that this all sounds so bleak
and sometimes looks that way from here,
but what you find ain’t what you seek,
and the undervalued is most dear.
So, whatever, come to me,
and I’ll embrace the Mystery.
Author
An early good morning to you, Andrew, and thank you for starting today’s conversation with such eloquent words.
I’ll take “whatever” because I know from you the word is backed with bravery, not diffidence.
Continuing to pray for you, my friend.
Beth, thank you so much for this, and for your prayers.
If you could pray for Barb, she’s heading to Indiana tomorrow for her Da’s funeral. She’s set to deliver the eulogy. It’ll be hard.
Author
Andrew: I will be praying for Barb.
Andrew, I have been so encouraged by your wordsmith ways so often. We seem to be on many of the same blogs/websites which makes the blessing of finding your words even deeper. This morning, I was looking for a specific topic to start my day. And there were your words again. I know you deal with many health and life challenges, but know that God is using you in a mighty way as you respond to so many blogs, which also is a blessing for the person who posted. God bless you today, Andrew.
Susan, I am so deeply touched and honoured by your words, that I am without words of my own!
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I am just so glad you’ve found value in what I have written.
I’ve never done a “One Word” resolution for the upcoming year, but your previous posts (and this one) has me thinking about it. I’m not much for resolutions these days; especially with my track record of breaking them within days of making them. Still, I like the idea of identifying a focal point for the year ahead. Will be thinking and praying Ms. Beth. Thank you for being such an encouragement. God’s blessings ma’am.
Author
Good morning, J.D. Nice to see you here again. And yes, I believe strongly in One Words over resolutions. Praying for you as you ponder the possibility, my friend.
Beth, great encouragement for today. I love the new perspective on the anchor and it encourages my heart as well. Have a very blessed day.
Author
Susan: I’m so glad you were encouraged by Starry’s sailing insights, too. It does make a difference to know that real-world anchoring is challenging. And that this truth translates over to mental anchoring.
I personally seem to do better with resolutions, sometimes supported by a few verses, than the one word theme but I totally respect the fruit I see this commitment and foundation produce for you.
Author
Dee: And I totally respect your choice to do resolutions. Whatever works best, friend. Whatever works best. 🙂
I don’t do a “one word” or resolutions or a bucket list. I do write a few goals. The goals can be for the year or over a couple of years. I feel like it’s more forgiving if I get off track, but it doesn’t mean I’m a slacker, either. Sometimes…life happens. And the goals are a reason to get back on track.
Author
Denise: A very forgiving, grace-filled approach to life. I like it. 🙂
Beth, to add to your wise friend, Starry’s analogy, the anchor is important, but it’s the weight of the chain between the anchor and the ship that holds you in place. Sometimes the wind and tides require that the anchor and chain be reset—as you say, circumstances. All those links in the chain have a purpose and I like to envision them as lessons I’ve learned (or more often re-learned) and grace that I’ve received. We had to memorize the following verse from a poem called the Laws of the Navy and I’ve always remembered them. Thanks for your always insightful post and a walk down memory lane.
On the strength of one link in the cable,
Dependents the might of the chain.
Who knows when thou may’st be tested?
So live that thou bearest the strain.
Author
Barb, my friend, thank you for adding your insights to my sailing lesson. And I, too, will be memorizing the verse you shared.
I do not have “a thing ” for the new year. Either resolutions or one word. I should! Will come up with something. Thank you.
Author
Have fun with the coming new year, Amy! 🙂
I don’t make resolutions. I set goals and I post them over my desk so I can see them every day. I don’t beat myself up if I don’t make my goals. I adjust them if they are too easy or too hard.
I don’t “get” the pick a word thing. I’ve read about it and heard people talk about it, but is doesn’t resonate at all.
Author
Jane: I love your idea of adjusting your goals — very grace-filled approach. 🙂 And if the One Word idea doesn’t resonate, well, that’s okay, too, right?
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