A few days ago I sent out a tweet asking some friends, “What should be my #oneword for 2014?” Instead of making the traditional “resolutions”, I want to select a word to focus on for the year.
My Friends, Practicing My Word
Here are some of the suggestions offered by my friends in response to my tweet:
Courage
Intentional
Proactive
Awesome
Relevant
Delight
Abide
Present
Faith (in yourself and God)
Forward
Trust
Soon J
One friend emphasized that no matter the word I choose, “walk in it boldly!” Good point. To focus on one word for 12 months, one should certainly be bold about it. This also reminded me to choose wisely.
One word for the year is a big deal.
For the last 8 months or so of 2013 I attempted to focus on the word “intentional”. My life was turned upside down at the end of April. (You can read about that HERE.) I needed to work on some major changes in my daily life. I’m sure I’ll continue to focus on being intentional in 2014, but I’m at a place to add on to it and grow more as well.
While I pondered my “word” and read the responses to my tweet, I was also reading “Love Does” by Bob Goff. As the tweets came in, I was reading Chapter 21. The chapter title is “Hearing Aid.” As I read, and as the tweets came in, one word continued to roll around in my head.
LISTEN
I thought about the word for a few days. Would it work as a word to focus on for the year? What does it mean? Can it encompass multiple aspects to help create movement in my soul?
In his chapter “Hearing Aid”, Bob writes about “selective hearing” (married folks, you know what he means). He also writes about how we often have selective hearing when it comes to God speaking to us. Are we being lazy? Not trying to determine what God is saying to us? Do we need to listen harder with our heart?
I’ve been in that situation. Listening with my heart was not happening. At some point this past summer I realized I wasn’t listening, or living, with my heart. (You can read about it HERE.) As I intentionally searched my head and heart, I began to discover I was lacking quite a bit when it came to my heart.
Now as I look to 2014, I’m going to be intentional with my listening. I believe I can learn how to listen. Not only listen to God, but also to everyone around me.
Wife, Sons, Family, Friends, Co-workers, Mentors, Ministers, God
As for the words offered by my friends in response to my tweet, I’ll use them too. I believe each of those words ties in well with “LISTEN”. Over the coming months I’ll write about each of those words and how they have worked in conjunction with listening.
Here we go! Happy New Year! I’m ready to “LISTEN”!
What word did you select for 2014? Share it in the comments. Join the conversation.
Better.
My word for the year is thrive. I’ve been just hanging on for dear life as changes have come hurtling at me for the past year. I don’t have it in me to do this any longer. I need to learn how to THRIVE in the midst of changes and sorrow and joy and grief and seizures and family and work….and just breathe.
My word for 2014 is “Exceptional”. Way too often I get too many plates spinning. I have a good idea and think I must act on it right then. This has left me with way to many unfinished projects. My plan for 2014 is to pick just a few and do them exceptionally well. Anyone can be good at many things. I want to be exceptional at a few.
That’s a great word! I chose “CREATE” for many reasons – and I believe this year will be the creation of a new “me.”
“Focus” is my #OneWord. Whatever it is I’m doing, I want to be present in it. Initially, I want it to pertain to my business as my goal is to retire from law enforcement in five years; however, I think it can apply to every aspect of my life.
Mine is LISTEN as well! Maybe you weren’t listening when I mentioned this to you about a week ago! LOL. I guess this year we’ll be listening more to God and each other. Watch out! We may actually hear something.
Listen is a great word. I think you’ll be surprised at what you’ll hear, and to find out who is willing to share.
Mine is Letting Go. Soaring higher, with open hands and free shoulders 🙂
LOVE this! I am close to my word, but it hasn’t come quickly. Excited for you, Rick!
My one word is change.
And that scares me.
Love your word! Listen. Great one. We should all do that. I don’t have a word yet or sure that I will end up picking one. My 2014 will involve a lot of changes. Maybe Change will become my word.
Listen…there is so much we can learn when we really listen, so what a great word for the year…I know there are times when I tell myself that I HAVE to stop talking or thinking about how I am going to respond to what someone is saying and just listen to them or to a situation…when we take ourselves and our needs/pre-dispositions out of the equation things can become a lot clearer…
hope you are having a great time on your cruise!
here is a post about my One Word
http://carelessinthecareofgod.com/new-year/