Shout Out Your Word and Create Your Year Starting Right Now…
January 1st, 2009 by Christine Kane
Last year, I overheard a radio talk show. The hosts were discussing the most common New Year’s Resolutions and the average success rates of each one.
The Top Five were: Get Organized, Be More Spiritual, Lose Weight, Quit Smoking, and Spend More time with Family.
I don’t know about you, but this kind of To-Do List approach to life transformation does little to inspire me. And it doesn’t surprise me that the success rates were low.
Why Resolutions Don’t Work
The reason most resolutions don’t work is that they address only one level of your life.
The DO level.
It’s the DO-HAVE-BE model. It goes like this:
“I will DO this thing.” (i.e., Lose weight) “So I can HAVE this other thing” (Self-Esteem) and I can BE this thing. (Confident.)
Starting right now, however, we’re gonna turn that around. We’re going to start at a deeper level:
The “BE” level.
The best order for creating positive change in your life is the BE-DO-HAVE model. This means you start from the BE level. When you begin changing on the BE level of your life, then the DO level and the HAVE level follow effortlessly.
When you start only on the DO level, then the blocks on the BE level will often become the obstacles you can’t overcome.
A Better New Year’s Ritual
Several years ago, my friend Kathy and I decided that, instead of making resolutions, we would pick a word that would guide us throughout the year. It would be our touchstone. It would remind us of living our lives at the BE level.
This didn’t mean that we didn’t take action. It meant that our actions were inspired from the BE level. In fact, I took more action than ever with this new approach!
For two years, I’ve blogged about this inspiring way to begin the year. Now, I regularly hear from people who have created big changes in their lives because they focused on one word. To read some of these stories, check out all the guest blog posts from December. Start here.
How to Create Your Year in Five Easy Steps
1 - Look through the list below.
2 - Get quiet and listen to your Wise Self. (Resist the temptation to choose multiple words. This just splatters your attention.)
3 - Pick a word.
4 - Then shout it out in the comments below so it gets firmly planted in the universe!
5 - Hold that word in your mind throughout the year, and let your word guide you to take action.
Compassion
Delight
Generosity
Effortlessness
Wealth
Gratitude
Abundance
Creativity
Willingness
Change
Growth
Freedom
Mastery
Kindness
Health
Presence
Acceptance
Courage
Confidence
Self-Love
Action
Forgiveness
Forgive
Release
Trust
Knowing
Patience
Friendship
Fun
Grace
Laughter
Love
Expansion
Exploration
Adventure
Openness
Discipline
Awe
Awareness
Risk
Gentleness
Choice
Spirit
Prayerfulness
Power
Allow
Artfulness
Attention
Beauty
Joy
Focus
Ritual
Heal
Order
Clarity
Pioneer
Peace
Laziness
No
Yes
Deliberateness
Commitment
Savor
Integrity
Listen
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A Friday Night in One Lifetime
Right Outta Nowhere
Rain & Mud & Wild & Green
Live
A Thousand Girls
This Time Last Year
January 1st, 2009 2:29 am
I am choosing the word “Action”. I spend alot of time up inside my head but never seem to put my ideas into “action”. Thank you for helping me get moving!
January 1st, 2009 2:46 am
CAN!
As in, I can do it!
January 1st, 2009 3:20 am
GO!
January 1st, 2009 3:37 am
Create!
Fabulous concept!
January 1st, 2009 3:39 am
LISTEN!!
Listen to my inner guidance – keep the line open and act on it!
January 1st, 2009 4:17 am
DELIGHT!
Which means I’m in the moment, experiencing it in the now! I love your post on DELIGHT and I embrace 2009 with delight and joy!
January 1st, 2009 4:25 am
FULFILLMENT!!!
January 1st, 2009 5:14 am
Listen
I am opening myself up to actively listening.
January 1st, 2009 6:41 am
BOUNTY!
Oh, but I like all the others too… No, no, no, just BOUNTY! “just” he he he… what could be more bountiful than bounty?
January 1st, 2009 8:41 am
TRUST
January 1st, 2009 8:44 am
“Edit” is my word for 2009. Not only will it encourage me to work on my Nanowrimo novel from 2007, it has implications in many areas of my life.
January 1st, 2009 8:52 am
HEALTH!
January 1st, 2009 8:52 am
COURAGE
January 1st, 2009 9:18 am
SHINE!
http://tiny.cc/FFUj3
January 1st, 2009 9:20 am
Create!
January 1st, 2009 9:26 am
GODDESS!
January 1st, 2009 9:33 am
RELEASE!
January 1st, 2009 9:44 am
I have spent the last month trying to choose ONE word for this year (last year was organize). But there are two words that are equally calling me to listen.
RELEASE and FOCUS!!!!! Which somehow seem to go hand in hand in my heart.
January 1st, 2009 9:49 am
ABUNDANCE!!
I’ve been thinking about this word for some weeks now. I made myself some desktop wallpaper with “abundance” on it (a collage of images, plus the word). I wrote a blog entry about my word of the year. I say the word out loud and in my head several times a day. I like the way it sounds and the way it feels. Abundance. ABUNDANCE!!!
Last year, I sort of stumbled onto the “word of the year” idea quite by accident (long before I found this excellent blog). My word for 2008 was “Happiness”, and I ended up learning quite a lot about how to be happy and, more importantly, how to be joyful and what the difference is.
I’m quite interested to see what I’m going to learn about abundance…
January 1st, 2009 9:52 am
CHOOSE
Am tired of operating on auto-pilot and being governed by old habits and patterns. This year I am going to pause, breathe, and choose.
January 1st, 2009 9:55 am
NOW! As in, be here now.
January 1st, 2009 10:24 am
CLARITY!
January 1st, 2009 10:25 am
COMPASSION!
This word jumped out at me for some reason. A quick definiation check had me picking and choosing the meaning. For me, I am choosing this to mean “tender; merciful”. I am going to have compassion for myself and those around me. The days of being my own worst critic are over!
January 1st, 2009 10:33 am
I’m going with EXPAND!
January 1st, 2009 10:51 am
I cheated and chose two. – Oops.
Awaken and Focus!
January 1st, 2009 10:52 am
ACTION & COURAGE!
Sorry completely didn’t listen about the attention splatter! But I think these words complement one another well and will both serve me well this year.
Happy New Year
January 1st, 2009 10:56 am
LOVE!
&
COURAGE!
January 1st, 2009 11:00 am
I am waffling between delightful (delighted?) discipline and delighted commitment. I figured if I started making my comment here that I would have to decide (with delight, of course!). I love the alliteration of the first, but believe the second one is winning as I type because there are a number of things I am (re)committing to and my delight in all of them gives me the energy to enjoy (see? I still get alliteration, right?). Love and thanks, Christine, and Happy New Year to all!
January 1st, 2009 11:02 am
Ditto on FULFILLMENT!
January 1st, 2009 11:31 am
BALANCE!!! I incorporated my word of 2008 – Simplicity – as much as I could and in 2009 I want to BALANCE myself.
Happy New Year and thank you for being a continuous source of motivation!
January 1st, 2009 11:42 am
TRUST
January 1st, 2009 11:49 am
I put so many words into my God Box and decided to let the Universe pick for me. Nice idea but the first 6 words I picked didn’t resonate for me. I decided to do one more, but as I was mixing the papers around, one fell out in front of my legs. I threw down the one that I had chosen and thought, “This one really wants me to see it so I’m going to go with this one, period, end of story.”
ABUNDANCE!!!
And THAT is the word I wanted to pick to begin with but thought, “Oh how cliche!”
January 1st, 2009 11:55 am
[...] had a good series on choosing a “word for the year” instead and ended it today with a great post on resolutions and making a different choice: Why Resolutions Don’t [...]
January 1st, 2009 12:05 pm
HEALTH
January 1st, 2009 12:06 pm
MASTERY is the word for me. It embodies all I am becoming – learning and growing in order to master my profession.
January 1st, 2009 12:07 pm
EMERGE
After a lot of thought, this word EMERGED as the one to focus on this year. Let the various “me’s” emerge and become real!
January 1st, 2009 12:08 pm
Courage.
January 1st, 2009 12:19 pm
(formerly posting as Juju)
My word is POTENTIAL. For me, this means letting go of all the negativity in my life and embracing all the potential for happiness, love, goodness and beauty.
January 1st, 2009 12:25 pm
YES!!!
Last year was BE and I learned so much about be-ing me. This year I will say YES to more of what makes me be me!
January 1st, 2009 12:26 pm
We may either have a calm, low-key year, or we may have a year full of huge upheavals, like last year. Either way I choose Courage.
January 1st, 2009 12:29 pm
RELEASE !
January 1st, 2009 12:30 pm
Last years word was Relationship. This years word is Jubilee, as in the Year of Jubilee where property reverted to original owners, captives were set free and a new start with big celebrations.
January 1st, 2009 12:30 pm
Clarity — silky blue soft light-reflecting glass clarity.
January 1st, 2009 12:39 pm
Commitment!
Commitment to love and take care of myself. Commitment to the present tense. Commitment to follow-through. Commitment to do as I wish. Commitment to not let too many little things get in the way of “me.” Commitment to health and prosperity. Commitment to trusting the universe. Commitment to love, friendship, and family. Commitment to truth. Commitment to wonder, and fun, and enthusiastic happiness!
I can’t wait to see how this year unfolds for me.
Happy New Year to you all!
January 1st, 2009 12:44 pm
HEALTH! I realized that if I were operating on the old model of making resolutions they all involve health and self care: remove make up before bed, floss (!), lose LBS, drink less wine…
The idea of thinking of health is consoling. No long list of should and should nots…just a simple question for every action–does this sereve my health and self care?
Thank you, Christine.
January 1st, 2009 12:51 pm
Renew
It picked me about two weeks ago and I am going with it
January 1st, 2009 1:03 pm
Balance-step back and use clarity to honor my inner self and feel at one in the here and now. to be fully present to myself.
oh the joy of a new year and a new word. I will carry my 2008 word always and now expand into 2009 with Balance.
thank you Christine for giving us a place to declare our intention
January 1st, 2009 1:08 pm
DELIGHT jumped out at me this morning! I declare 2009 to be filled with delight!
I’m looking forward to how the Universe will fulfill this word.
Blessings, Angelica
I like this “word of the year” stuff — see my blog for December 5th … http://revangelica.blogspot.com
January 1st, 2009 1:14 pm
PATIENCE!
Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2009 1:20 pm
ENJOY!!! with a minor in NURTURE
This is my intention to lighten my too serious demeanor and approach each day open to finding the fun and joy.
January 1st, 2009 1:21 pm
PRESENCE
And all my reasons are in today’s blog entry: http://funkykim.typepad.com/funky_kim/2009/01/my-word-for-the-year.html
January 1st, 2009 1:37 pm
CONNECT!
January 1st, 2009 1:41 pm
EXPANSION!!!!!!
January 1st, 2009 1:50 pm
INTEGRATION!!
January 1st, 2009 1:59 pm
LOVE the concept of this post!
Authentic
I want to be me, fully. Instead of working from a list of “shoulds”. Instead of coming from a place of guilt. Just be totally, authentically, myself.
January 1st, 2009 2:01 pm
PASSION!
January 1st, 2009 2:15 pm
CLARITY!!
January 1st, 2009 2:19 pm
My word is CREATE ~ I look forward to where it will lead me. Thank you, Christine, for your gentle prompting!
January 1st, 2009 2:20 pm
WILLING.
It chose me two weeks ago and I’ve already made some small strides with it.It began as Willingness and has morphed into willing. The last two years I’ve tried using a word of the year and I guess I just wasn’t ready because I promptly forgot about it. This year I’m willing to make the effort to make the changes I need to in my life.
Thanks Christine!
January 1st, 2009 2:20 pm
CONNECT. not on the list that i could see, but it chose me a few weeks ago and i think it’s going to be a good friend in 2009. happy new year!
January 1st, 2009 2:24 pm
EXPANSION
January 1st, 2009 2:24 pm
Clarity – so I can clearly see – not what I think reality is.
January 1st, 2009 2:32 pm
FLOURISH!!!!
January 1st, 2009 2:45 pm
impermanence…..a reminder that nothing lasts forever
January 1st, 2009 2:50 pm
I was leaning toward ‘focus’, when all of a sudden ’strength’ came popping out of nowhere and said “choose me!”. And since my thoughts about strength include focus, I figured this was a good sign. So my word for 2009: STRENGTH!
January 1st, 2009 2:53 pm
ABUNDANCE!
I took the idea with me last night to a party and all our friends chose words too. It was so much fun and uplifting to see everyone make a beautiful intention for their year.
January 1st, 2009 2:59 pm
EXPAND.
i looked it up and the definition sang to me: to increase in extent; to spread or stretch out, unfold; to express something more fully, in greater detail.
January 1st, 2009 3:07 pm
Generosity. I have more than many others do and now seems to be the time to be generous with all that I have. But also generous in my interpretations — I plan to assume that people mean well.
And on the subject of New Year’s Resolutions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4ebAkIGqDE
January 1st, 2009 3:10 pm
REMEMBERING!
Remembering who I am. Remembering to trust, to ask, to go deeper. Remembering and embodying all that I know!
January 1st, 2009 3:13 pm
My son just joined the army, he left yesterday. I was going to use “SHINE”, but now I have changed it to “PEACE”. I got out my old peace necklace from the 60’s to help me remember.
Pam
January 1st, 2009 3:13 pm
SOAR
I am ready to soar to new heights. Soaring to me implies being full of bliss, joy…embracing the mystery, living life to it’s fullest. And in order to soar, I must let go…
Whi hoo!
January 1st, 2009 3:15 pm
GROWTH.
I love the power of the focused word as a resolution. Thanks.
January 1st, 2009 3:16 pm
INTENT & BOLD, but not always BOLD INTENT.
I’ve chosen INTENT to remind me to know what my intent is for the day, task, conversation, moment; to be clear I have an intent; and to help me focus on the intent.
BOLD is there because I have a great plans for 2009 and it’s going to take boldness to pull some of them off. I also love the quote about going boldly in the direction of ones dreams and how the universe will be there to support you in untold ways never before imagined. I’m paraphrasing (loosely) But that’s the meat of it.
Thanks again, Christine, for the opportunity to move forward one step, one moment at the time! Happy New Year to you and all who pass this way!
January 1st, 2009 3:22 pm
METTLE! What a great word. I just ordered a necklace with my word…as a daily reminder for me. Thank you for this. I’m off to make my 2009 vision board…(with a focus on my word). What a way to begin a new year. Happy New Year to all!
January 1st, 2009 3:33 pm
Thank you Christine — I did this last year and as I review my goals from last year I can’t believe how much change has come about for me in just one year. Last year I needed DISCIPLINE — this year I need COURAGE. Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2009 3:38 pm
DELIGHT!
I was having trouble picking a word when I realized what I was really looking for was “delight”.
January 1st, 2009 3:43 pm
TRUST! Trust in myself, trust in the process, trust in being in the right place at the right time, trust that my vision will manifest in its own way and pace and that I can do my work with good intention and not worry about the outcome.
January 1st, 2009 3:47 pm
EXPRESSIVE
I am unshackling myself, loosening perfectionism and letting go of my reserve.
January 1st, 2009 3:52 pm
Well my body said yes to Willingness although my mind wouldn’t have picked that. But hey, body’s wisdom is good .. so I’m going with WILLINGNESS.
January 1st, 2009 4:11 pm
[...] A Better Way to Begin than resolutions. [...]
January 1st, 2009 4:14 pm
I was working through “Find Your North Star” by Martha Beck in November when a picture of this highly decorated word appeared in my mind. Flourish.
January 1st, 2009 4:23 pm
Acceptance.
January 1st, 2009 4:33 pm
ENGAGE
This means getting out of my very large comfort zone and engaging with what is present and real, even if it makes me uncomfortable.
January 1st, 2009 4:48 pm
AWARENESS
Last year, my word was ‘creativity’ and I was very successful at bringing photography and writing back into my life. Yesterday, I spent my meditation session asking what my word should be for this year, because I couldn’t decide. Afterwards, I happened upon a blog post talking about ‘awareness’, then this morning I read an article in the Oprah magazine that had been sitting on my counter for three weeks. The topic was ‘awareness’. So I believe the universe has answered my question and this should be my word of the year!
Happy New Year to everyone.
January 1st, 2009 5:22 pm
ACTION
Wherever my stumbling blocks, engage in ACTION to dispel fears.
Thank you Christine!
January 1st, 2009 5:25 pm
effortless
January 1st, 2009 5:28 pm
I have spent so much time struggling against what is, and what cannot be changed, trying to ‘fix’ everything and everyone around me.
A few days ago, I thought about last years’ exercise, and the word ‘Acceptance’ popped into my head. Suddenly I realized that by not accepting what is, I’ve not seen situations for what they truly are. And that in some cases, it was time to let things (and people) go.
So, “Acceptance” it is… and let the decluttering begin!!
January 1st, 2009 5:29 pm
Rejoice! I’m aware that I have so much abundance, so much to be grateful for, so many gifts handed to me on a silver platter every day. I just want to be sure I remember and REJOICE in it!
January 1st, 2009 5:35 pm
Cultivate. My post about it is up now.
January 1st, 2009 5:51 pm
Release. RELEASE. R-E-L-E-A-S-E !!!
January 1st, 2009 6:21 pm
What a delight to read all of the words for this year. I am so looking forward to reading about them in months to come.
My word, Accomplishment.
Thanks, Christine, for injecting so much love and energy into our lives. What is your word?
January 1st, 2009 6:26 pm
openness
January 1st, 2009 6:47 pm
Really enjoy your blog!
WEALTH!
January 1st, 2009 7:02 pm
RELEASE!
January 1st, 2009 7:09 pm
Accept. Happy 2009 everyone!
January 1st, 2009 7:12 pm
My word is NOW. Right here, right now. There is no better time.
January 1st, 2009 7:13 pm
COURAGE
January 1st, 2009 7:20 pm
Vibrancy
January 1st, 2009 7:36 pm
Hungry
January 1st, 2009 7:52 pm
Mine is HONOR.
I find that I have a hard time honoring the body I’ve been given, my natural talents, my own self, and others. I want to show up and honor myself and others.
January 1st, 2009 7:57 pm
Responsibility. Reading through your list, Power was a word that resonated for me. I was reminded that with great power comes great responsibility. Power is something that I would like more of, but recognizing my responsibilities is something that I struggle with. So this year will be about accepting my responsibility in what I put out in the world, and what I choose to accept out of what comes to me. Maybe with greater responsibility will come greater power.
Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2009 7:57 pm
Hey Christine….some what uncharacterstically for a guy, my word for 2009 is BIRTH! As in, I want to birth something this year!
January 1st, 2009 8:14 pm
picking the right word was hard—but I choose Savor. I thought about using a symbol or line as inspiration. Savor means not rushing through life, not hurrying to get to the next thing but looking, touching, feeling, and incorporating the experience and let it percolate there until it comes out in art.
January 1st, 2009 8:20 pm
Courage! Courage to change my negative way of thinking, Courage to listen to me, Courage to be in the moment – not in tomorrow’s, and Courage to get healthy and strong!
January 1st, 2009 8:54 pm
Paradigm
Hello 2009: ‘Bring it on…’ let’s do some shifting!
January 1st, 2009 8:55 pm
FEARLESS!
January 1st, 2009 9:07 pm
Trust!
It has a lot of multiple meanings for me right now and will be a big part of 2009, I’m sure.
Here’s to a great year!
January 1st, 2009 9:09 pm
[...] I’ve been debating what word to choose for this year, as Christine discusses. [...]
January 1st, 2009 9:14 pm
I was all set to choose “Shine” but something that happened a couple of days ago , combined with listening again to your “overyjoyed” song the other day made me switch at the last minute to “Joy”.
January 1st, 2009 9:15 pm
I am choosing Gratitude – it feels right and is a place I need to return to and explore more deeply. health and happiness to all
January 1st, 2009 9:15 pm
I choose Release!
January 1st, 2009 9:18 pm
HAPPINESS!!!
November 11, 2006 my world turned to darkness my husband of 4 years was killed in a work accident. I have benn sad and lonely, spending days in tears and only seeing pitch black. I have had passing moments of being happy or joyful always returning to the gloom. After two years I can see this pin of light in the black My word for 2009 is happiness.
January 1st, 2009 9:21 pm
HEALTH! Emotional, spiritual, and physical.
January 1st, 2009 9:30 pm
I was in an Iyengar yoga class trying to hang upside down on a chair. This sort of thing was effortless for me as a child. This asana was taking a lot of work & effort on my part. In the middle of the pose it dawned on me that I am having some major issues w/ trust and that things don’t need to be so hard & difficult. So, two words for me this year and they can be used individually or in conjunction.
Trust
Effortlessness
January 1st, 2009 9:43 pm
NURTURE
Last year I RELEASED. This year I’m ready to NURTURE in as many ways as possible!
January 1st, 2009 10:22 pm
Motivation!
January 1st, 2009 10:28 pm
My word for 2009 is ALLOW.
)
Allow me to truly be me and all that entails
Allow my dreams to manifest
Allow my vibration to match my desires
Allow myself to attract love and friendship
Allow myself to connect truly
Allow the good stuff to flow to me because I deserve it!
To practice the Art of Allowing throughout the year
Allow the Universe to conspire on my behalf!
Allow those I love to pursue their own path
January 1st, 2009 10:41 pm
My word for the year is acceptance. Not only so I don’t get so frustrated with the things I can’t change, like other people’s actions, but also to allow the universe to give me what it offers instead of feeling unworthy or overwhelmed when what I really want just seems to fall into my lap unexpectedly.
January 1st, 2009 11:02 pm
INTEGRITY!
Before reading your post, I had chosen “true,” as in “authenticity.” But I think “integrity” encompasses everything that I want to strive for this year.
Happy 2009!
K.
January 1st, 2009 11:10 pm
Luck.
January 1st, 2009 11:11 pm
My word is Light…as a noun, verb, adjective…just Light.
January 1st, 2009 11:16 pm
STRETCH! as in, my body, my mind, my thoughts, my budget, my everything!
January 1st, 2009 11:18 pm
Freedom!
January 1st, 2009 11:18 pm
Christine,
I stumbled upon your blog through Madeline Sklar’s blog on Go Girls Music.
Your blog is truly inspiring. I wanted to thankyou for sharing your thoughts. You have a really cool site and I will be sure to tell others about it!
Francesca Lee – “Introspective Dream Pop.”
http://www.francescaleemusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/francescaleemusic
January 1st, 2009 11:42 pm
[...] the year, and let your word guide you to take action.” She gives a list of words and an invitation to SHOUT OUT our word to the universe. I guess my husband’s word would be change. Mine isn’t on [...]
January 1st, 2009 11:45 pm
My word is not on the list so I guess right off the bat I am “breaking the rules”! LOL!
My word for 2009 is RHYTHM. It is my hope is to create rhythm of creative energy in my life that will carry us from one loving moment to a living moment to another learning moment.
January 2nd, 2009 12:31 am
Expansion and Integrity
http://blog.lisacall.com/2009/01/expansion-and-integrity.html
January 2nd, 2009 12:35 am
“Magic” is my word for 2009.
January 2nd, 2009 12:41 am
Faith
January 2nd, 2009 12:44 am
ACTION!
January 2nd, 2009 1:11 am
RENEW
I don’t need a new me..just a recovered me.
http://www.demolay.com/2008/12/my-new-years-resolutionsort-of.html
January 2nd, 2009 1:20 am
FIRE is my word!
January 2nd, 2009 1:26 am
PASSION!
I’ve put this aside for the year…tending to other people’s needs, giving up my own to be more accommodating. I’m changing that this year. This year is for me to bring it back.
January 2nd, 2009 3:21 am
ACTION and KINDNESS
I spent 2008 “going to” do things and ended up doing none of what I had planned, so this year I am going to DO things.
Kindness because I feel I am kind now but will focus more and do little things for family and friends
Happy 2009 everyone
January 2nd, 2009 5:07 am
Moving – To always be found moving in the direction of my dreams…
January 2nd, 2009 7:27 am
LEARN!
Happy New Year everyone and good luck with your hopes, dreams, wishes, lives, words of 2009.
I have that tingling feeling in my toes – it’s going to be a good year!
January 2nd, 2009 7:43 am
MINDFULNESS!
Last year’s worth TRUTH made me realize that I do, say, eat, move so much in a year, but do it all on auto pilot and miss out on the benefits…or not…of what I am doing. So TRUTH led me this year to MINDFULNESS – be MINDFUL of food and exercise & their effects on my body; be MINDFUL of the clutter in my apt. & clearing out that which is just “clutter;” and money, as in being MINDFUL of needs vs wants in spending!
January 2nd, 2009 8:40 am
Well, I started quite early on my word – because I kinda start ideas when I think of them rather than waiting for the New Year.
So I didn’t know there was a list to choose from! oops. My words are:
Structure and Joy
http://tina-m.blogspot.com/2008/12/word-of-year-structure.html
http://tina-m.blogspot.com/2009/01/for-2009-structure-and-joy.html
January 2nd, 2009 9:08 am
my ‘09 word is Awaken. Here’s what i’m reminding myself all year -
Awaken possibilities that lead to probabilities.
Awaken that wise person hidden in your doubts.
Awaken that playful child buried under your guilt.
Awaken that attractive person who’s been trapped in the cracked mirror of your comparisons.
Awaken that style that’s yours and yours alone.
Awaken that healthy body that’s really in there.
Awaken that spark you thought you’d lost.
Awaken that silliness that’s given way to responsibilities.
Awaken that passion you thought you’d given away.
Awaken that sleeping giant that may now be your dream come true.
Awaken your commitment to being who you want to be.
It’s time to WAKE UP and smell the coffee (or tea)and be who you want to be.
January 2nd, 2009 9:15 am
[...] not with my fists up but with my arms wide open. And this is why – Christine Kane and her “Shout out Your Word and Create Your Year Starting Right Now” [...]
January 2nd, 2009 9:21 am
JOY
Actually I want to be greedy and have two words which have started to really resonate with me for 09
JOY AND PASSION
January 2nd, 2009 9:25 am
CREATIVITY!!
January 2nd, 2009 11:03 am
I have chosen 3 words (yes, I break rules) and ironically have selected mastery, discipline & attention because these 3 words resonate and relate strongly for me.
January 2nd, 2009 11:22 am
Simple
January 2nd, 2009 11:45 am
I started with a list of 11 words from your list and narrowed it down to 6. The word which first really called me was FREEDOM! (shouted in my best William Wallace character impersonation). I want to be free from the restrictions and expectations of a society which does not truly support those who live on the fringe.
But to be quite honest all 5 remaining words also speak to me.
Action, because I need to put more of my ideas into motion.
Focus/Discipline (I grouped these together since for me they are almost synonymous) because I need to stop dividing my attentions and instead narrow my efforts into one area.
Willingness, because I need to be willing to allow instead of control.
And of course ABUNDANCE, because I need to get out of my mindset of not having enough..ie believing I cannot have everything I want because my bank acct is too low to justify spending on art supplies or frivolities.
Thought-provoking post. Guess I need to work more on narrowing it down in my journal over the coming days!
Thanks
January 2nd, 2009 11:47 am
My main word is Self-love. I wanted to share the other words I am still wanting to use. I broke the rules in the best way I know.
Allow self-love with clarity and creativity. Release with effortlessness. Have the courage to trust abundance is there.
This is a great year to be with.
January 2nd, 2009 12:09 pm
[...] a couple of bloggers who thought this same thing last year — and then I saw the post for 2009 here where it talks about choosing a word to live by for the year. One word that could encompass all of [...]
January 2nd, 2009 12:12 pm
My word for 2009 is “CHOICE” – as in I always have one.
I have a choice about:
whether to get up and go run or to hit snooze.
whether to put the money in savings or to buy the new boots I don’t really need.
whether to eat the mac and cheese or the tofu and veggie stir fry.
whether to forgive the ex-husband or continue to carry the resentment.
whether to submit the novel to agents or to continue to sit on it and live in fear of rejection.
And so on. I want to make sure I know I’m making those decisions and I think that if I acknowledge I’m actually making a choice in each of those situations, even if that choice is for inaction, that it will lead toward positive action, because saying, “I’m choosing to hold on to resentment” sounds so ugh, really, as does, “I’m choosing new shoes over a European vacation.” Academically, I know I always have a choice, but I want to ingrain it at a deeper level this year and raise my consciousness of that truth of just what I’m creating.
January 2nd, 2009 12:21 pm
RELEASE!
January 2nd, 2009 12:25 pm
Attend.
BE Attentive. DO that which will make all things around you flourish. HAVE Peace.
January 2nd, 2009 12:53 pm
AWAKE!
January 2nd, 2009 1:37 pm
Abundance!
If I can only pick one!
This is a great idea! Thank you!
January 2nd, 2009 2:25 pm
Passion!
Do my work and live my life with passion.
January 2nd, 2009 2:37 pm
Reinvention — yep.
January 2nd, 2009 3:01 pm
…flow…
January 2nd, 2009 3:06 pm
Abundance!
January 2nd, 2009 3:11 pm
Progress, I choose progress. I like the idea of the nuance therein; PRO-gress or pro-GRESS, either way will land me further down my chosen road with a modicum of satisfaction at a job well done.
January 2nd, 2009 3:28 pm
RENEW
I’m so inspired by Charolette’s comment above:
“I don’t need a new me…just a replenished or recovered me.”
Charolette found this definition in dictionary.com:
“re.new
to restore or replenish ~ to revive; reestablish ~ to recover (youth, strength, etc.). ~ to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again.”
I feel really good about this positive spin on change, focused on me, on healing . . . I am going to go get it engraved on a bracelet or something.
Thank you Christine, Charolette, and all. Best wishes to you all!!!
RENEW 2009
January 2nd, 2009 3:38 pm
I was heading towards “release” when I saw “emerge” and felt an small ache in my chest.
Emerge it is!
January 2nd, 2009 3:47 pm
Ownership (in the metaphorical sense)
January 2nd, 2009 3:57 pm
CHANGE
January 2nd, 2009 3:59 pm
DETERMINATION!
January 2nd, 2009 4:31 pm
BEGIN!!!
January 2nd, 2009 5:09 pm
COURAGE!
January 2nd, 2009 5:11 pm
Abundance.
January 2nd, 2009 5:17 pm
BALANCE!
I love this idea of a word for the year. I’m going to put it on the bulletin boards over all my work areas.
January 2nd, 2009 5:55 pm
SHINE!
January 2nd, 2009 6:00 pm
DISCIPLINE! I just counted my UFO’s and I have 15 going back to 2003. I’m looking at my desk which has papers stacked all over the place…my sewing room is a mess, and I could go on. If I apply DISCIPLINE, I can get a lot done and bring balance into my life. Thanks for the inspiration! I love the idea of a word for the year – thanks so much!
January 2nd, 2009 6:43 pm
[...] the year. Expansion, Action, Trust, Calm, Movement, Health, Change, Revolution…check out Christine Kane’s blog for a complete list of words to choose from. Repeat the mantra or word to yourself often. Make [...]
January 2nd, 2009 7:27 pm
WEALTH! I pick wealth as I am looking forward to creating wealth!
Thanks Christine!
January 2nd, 2009 8:26 pm
CLARITY!!
January 2nd, 2009 8:52 pm
RELEASE!!!!!
It took me a while to choose ONE word, but after putting thoughts aside and quieting my mind – this word / feeling resonated with me. Thank you for this suggestion, it a great way to make change.
January 2nd, 2009 9:04 pm
[...] when I sat down. All that changed when I stumbled upon Christine Kane’s blog entry from yesterday. She inspired me to choose a single word intention for 2009: emerge. Then my eye was drawn to a [...]
January 2nd, 2009 9:53 pm
Oh my … I am not a blogger .. found Christine’s blog thru a friend’s blog… THANKS KERRI ! Everyone seems to be having so much fun with their “word” while mine feels so serious in comparison. I chose DISCIPLINE. I love my life – I am happy – I am blessed…. but I have NO DISCIPLINE. But check back with me December 31, 2009
January 2nd, 2009 10:20 pm
FOCUS!
January 2nd, 2009 11:26 pm
[...] year I followed Christine Kane’s lead in choosing one word to guide me through the year. Focus was my word for 2008. What I [...]
January 3rd, 2009 12:09 am
SELF-MASTERY!!!
woohooooo!
January 3rd, 2009 12:17 am
The word that is choosing me is “action”!
I like it!
Liz
January 3rd, 2009 12:39 am
[...] Posted on January 2, 2009 by iconolatrie So the concept of defining the new year with a word had been around a while. I’ve never done it before but have decided to this year. And the [...]
January 3rd, 2009 1:13 am
Abundance! In all things… money, happiness, nurturing relationships, beauty, fun times, meaningful work, positive thoughts and intentions. Abundance in all the good things!
January 3rd, 2009 1:59 am
Clarity!
January 3rd, 2009 3:48 am
Nurture and Align!
January 3rd, 2009 7:50 am
ALLOW!
January 3rd, 2009 10:01 am
I eventually settled on Gratitude as my word of 2009 a few days before the New Year.
I’m guessing the Universe approves because, within 3 hours of the year starting, my boyfriend asked me to marry him! That’s one huge great thing to be grateful for!!!
Happy New Year to everyone. Here’s wishing you all a wonderful year full of joy, love, peace, abundance, growth, and every other fantastic thing!
January 3rd, 2009 10:23 am
Confident. I almost chose fearless but I don’t even want the word fear or any form of it in my vocabulary–or mind set–this year. I AM confident!!!
January 3rd, 2009 10:34 am
Tenacity ~ as much as I resisted my word, it just wouldn’t be denied ~ ha! Thank you for the seed Christine…
Peace,
Lil
January 3rd, 2009 12:50 pm
Wealth.
January 3rd, 2009 1:34 pm
RELEASE!
January 3rd, 2009 1:49 pm
Abundance is my word again for 2009. Abundance and gratitude for me go hand in hand but you must first recognize the abundance to be grateful for it. Having just finished our major renovation, we’re feeling rather blessed by the space we’ve created and being able to share it with those we love. I want to do much more of the sharing part in 2009 and wish abundance not only for us but for everyone.
January 3rd, 2009 2:37 pm
My word of the year is TODAY. I have only today…and what an amazing 24 hours I can create.
January 3rd, 2009 4:54 pm
Self Respect.
January 3rd, 2009 10:03 pm
Abundance – there is abundance of love, of life, of everything.
I will live in abundance instead of scarcity in 2009.
January 4th, 2009 4:48 am
[...] Chistine Kane on Choosing a word for the year. [...]
January 4th, 2009 11:57 am
[...] began to think this might help me in finding my word of 2009. Many others have found theirs, for example here, here and here. I was getting a little [...]
January 4th, 2009 12:51 pm
The word that resonated the most for me was action. So I am shouting ACTION! and claiming it as my guide-word for 2009. It’s time to just stop sliding through life and claiming it for my own.
January 4th, 2009 1:18 pm
Serenity
January 4th, 2009 1:38 pm
Soften.
January 4th, 2009 3:07 pm
Commitment. I’ve great at starting, and horrible at finishing. 2009 is a year for completion and follow through. Thank you for this concept – and Jen Worden for leading me here.
January 4th, 2009 4:17 pm
DELIGHT! It chose me.
January 4th, 2009 4:18 pm
” DELIGHT “
January 4th, 2009 4:23 pm
RELEASE! Now I can be free!
January 4th, 2009 4:31 pm
[...] preparing for the new. Last year I did this but when I read Lilalia’s recent post about her Word of the Year (from Christine Kane’s blog) I thought that was what I needed: one word to serve as my [...]
January 4th, 2009 5:26 pm
[...] volta, per decidere l”oggetto” della mia attenzione per il 2009, ho preso spunto da un post sul blog di Christine Kane la quale fornisce una facile ed altrettanto interessante guida su come [...]
January 4th, 2009 5:43 pm
Confidence
In my actions, in my choices, in my self.
January 4th, 2009 9:48 pm
I just found your blog and I have to say: Great idea!!!
TRUST!
January 4th, 2009 11:06 pm
[...] Way better than a resolution… [...]
January 4th, 2009 11:08 pm
center
http://revkpd.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/new-year-new-word/
January 5th, 2009 12:58 am
FULFILL
January 5th, 2009 4:02 am
[...] year that I first read about from wonderful singer/songwriter/creative artist/guru extraordinaire Christine Kane. Here’s an excerpt….. Why Resolutions Don’t [...]
January 5th, 2009 7:31 am
FOCUS !!
January 5th, 2009 8:12 am
[...] resolutions – a concept by singer/song writer/blogger Christine Kane. The idea – to come up with one word to focus [...]
January 5th, 2009 8:48 am
SELF-LOVE!!
January 5th, 2009 10:58 am
LAZINESS
(as in “Being aware of it, not tolerating it and actively overcoming it — not, as my wife first thought, as in To Become Lazy, which illicited applause from her, saying, “You’ve already acheived your goal!”)
i have several post-its with the word “Laziness” with a red circle around it and a line drawn through it taped to various spots where only i can see it. i found that by not having my word written down where i can see it on a daily basis helped me to forget it over time. this is too important for me this year to allow that to happen.
best of new years to all of us!
…
January 5th, 2009 12:03 pm
HEALTH & EFFORTLESS
January 5th, 2009 12:40 pm
I love how when I find my word, my whole being just tingles all over.
My word for 2009: Leap!
January 5th, 2009 1:02 pm
ACTION!!!!
January 5th, 2009 1:07 pm
GRATITUDE!
I’m so thankful for everyone who purchased my iPhone app, Gratitude Journal.
January 5th, 2009 1:44 pm
Harvest
January 5th, 2009 3:53 pm
Remarkable!
January 5th, 2009 6:54 pm
RELEASE!!!
It’s time to let go of old things so that I can move forward in my life.
January 5th, 2009 7:43 pm
GROWTH!!
Thank you, Christine, for sharing this incredible concept. 2008 was definitely a trying year for my word (courage) but it definitely served as that touchstone all year. Thank you!!!
January 5th, 2009 9:04 pm
Thanks for this, I really like the orientation. I blogged about a similar topic – in somewhat less detail – here on my blog. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!
http://sashadichter.wordpress.com/2009/01/01/welcome-to-2009-my-namesake/
January 5th, 2009 11:43 pm
DELIGHT-code name, supported by Operation Smile
I’ve been fighting it, respect/honor was on my mind, then I was interested in Practice–but its a DO word. but delight made my heart jump when I read the list. I love Joy but its not the same–I need to delight in my kids, delight in my job (and that I have one) and my spouse. Rekindle the delight I used to feel about research (before children distracted me). Plus, I’m starting to see my face settle into frown lines. Not cool.
delight it is!
January 6th, 2009 8:05 am
[...] Lance and Christine, my word for 2009 is [...]
January 6th, 2009 8:09 am
Abundance! We have everything we need in life to make us happy but simply lack the conscious awareness to appreciate it. Thank you for nudging me into this journey.
January 6th, 2009 9:43 am
INTEGRATE
It’s time to bring all the parts of me together in a cohesive whole, no more separation, no more hiding this part of my life from the other part.
January 6th, 2009 2:41 pm
Happy New Year Christine!
My word last year was effortless. This year am going for the gold – with
‘unprecedented’.
Thank you once again.
January 6th, 2009 9:47 pm
FIERCE It found me a bit early this year but I’m stickin’ with it!
January 6th, 2009 10:28 pm
This is great. I read about this article in Lance’s blog Jungle of Life and before I clicked to come over here I had a word in mind, Serenity. My word is not on the list but I must keep it as it is what rings true for me this year and I believe will bring together many of the goals I have set for my life. Thanks for the inspiring words.
January 7th, 2009 12:15 am
Decide!
http://happymoonmoon.blogspot.com/2009/01/word-of-year.html
January 7th, 2009 3:59 am
Create!
I used it last year and feel I could use it even more fully this year! I was dealing with a number of new challenges last year and felt creativity was the best response. The word became more expansive with each application and I am very excited to go with the broader, deeper active elements this year.
January 7th, 2009 4:24 am
ALLOW!
as in, to allow the flow of Well-Being in all areas of my life…family, music, fun!
Peace & Abundance, Cid
January 7th, 2009 9:25 am
HONESTY
Being truer with my feelings and actions. Not allowing myself to fall into situations I don’t wish to be in.
January 7th, 2009 9:40 am
Well-being!
January 7th, 2009 12:36 pm
Release!!!
I made my new vision board for 2009 and pasted the word RELEASE in the middle!!!
January 7th, 2009 1:22 pm
DELIGHT. DELIGHT. DELIGHT.
The word just made my heart jump.
It seems to contain all the other words.
DELIGHT. DELIGHT. DELIGHT. It will be my mantra for the year.
January 7th, 2009 1:50 pm
Perspective.
This year I want to focus on maintaining perspective within my own life and ensuring that I don’t lose sight of those who are less fortunate than me.
January 7th, 2009 1:58 pm
FUN!
I realized that I focus a lot on work and not on FUN, and it is causing my life to be boring and lacking color. So when I was looking through your words, the word FUN picked me and now I am finding myself searching for the fun in different things.
Thank-you for a better way to face New Year’s goals and resolutions.
January 7th, 2009 4:05 pm
This is a great way to start my year. Reading through the post, I thought change would be my word for the year. I read further and did the 5 steps.
The word that held me was WILLINGNESS. I’m not sure of the depth this word has for me, but I’m looking forward to finding out this year.
January 7th, 2009 6:36 pm
DANCE!
January 8th, 2009 1:33 am
[...] matters. Singer-songwriter, public speaker and creativity consultant Christine Kane, in her Resolution Revolution message, suggests we pick one word that will guide us throughout the year. Please check out her [...]
January 8th, 2009 2:56 am
[...] you read the comments on my blog post on New Years Day, you noticed that many people chose the word “Courage” to guide them through [...]
January 8th, 2009 8:18 am
I’ve picked two:
- COMPLETE – because I need to either complete or finish with the projects cluttering up my life, and because I hope that clearing the ground and focussing on things I want/need to do will help me feel more complete
and
- ENJOY – to remind me to live in the moment more and enjoy all the wonderful things that are happening around me
January 9th, 2009 9:52 am
EFFORTLESS ABUNDANCE
January 9th, 2009 7:13 pm
[...] copied the long list of possible words that Christine Kane posted and pasted them into a Word document, so I could enlarge them. I stapled [...]
January 10th, 2009 3:01 pm
I found this post from Marsha’s blog (http://mfisteach.blogspot.com/). It was the first time I had visited her blog and she wrote about this and used the word, “Revival”. That word resonated deep within me. My husband died suddenly a year ago and I really need a revival this year.
But then I decided to go to your post and look over the list (I didn’t want to “steal” Marsha’s!). As I looked at the list, over and and over, trying to find a word that would speak to me, it occurred to me that “my” word wasn’t there ….. in that list. It was all over your post and all over the comments and it finally jumped out at me.
CHOOSE
This year I want to choose many things, especially because this past year has been full of so many things that I had no choice in. I am grieving and I have no choice in that. I also have no choice in how and when and how hard it will hit me.
But there are some things I can choose — or start choosing — or re-choose:
Choose joy, whenever possible.
Choose to look up, while in the darkness, and see a sliver of light.
Choose to try to step outside of my grief, even if only for a moment of two.
Choose to remember how blessed I was to have him in my life …. for as long as he was.
Choose to show my children that this “darkness” will not win. I/we will survive and move forward.
I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you.
But thank you.
So very much.
Janine
January 10th, 2009 3:24 pm
[...] è di Christine Kane, cantante e counseling in [...]
January 10th, 2009 8:05 pm
[...] a huge list of suggestions over on her blog, or you can come up with some yourself. (Actually, from a writerly perspective, it struck me how [...]
January 12th, 2009 7:27 pm
[...] Persistance. I love this. I have been following Ms. Kane on her blog since last year, and her words are always right on time. She’s blogged all about what happens when you really reach your true self, and intend on what you want to bring into your life. Thanks Christine Kane! [...]
January 13th, 2009 7:39 pm
CREATIVITY
Be more creative with my crafts
January 15th, 2009 10:43 am
[...] Christine put out a new post on January 1 with a call to create your year now I decided to give it a try. Reading through the post I kept thinking about how I wanted [...]
January 15th, 2009 2:31 pm
RELEASE!
January 23rd, 2009 1:39 pm
[...] those of you unfamiliar of the concept of Intention, Christine Kane does a wonderful job of explaining it over at her place and I highly recommend that you go there for [...]
January 27th, 2009 5:04 pm
FREE!
Personally I want to feel the freedom of movement. I want to learn to bike, ice-skate and play badminton. I want to feel confident doing those sports and have the freedom of movement required to do them.
Professionally I want to feel the freedom which comes after a job well-done or during a structured creative/working process. When I break things into small steps and achieve little bits and pieces every day I feel free to move on to other parts of my life and enjoy my free time. I want to be free from procrastination and from feeling stuck. I want to enjoy the free time, which comes after doing what I need to do.
February 20th, 2009 10:34 am
‘Allow’.
November 14th, 2009 1:20 am
[...] the concept of defining the new year with a word had been around a while. I’ve never done it before but have decided to this year. And the [...]
November 19th, 2009 4:41 am
Christine,
My word for 2009 was serenity. And although I am still struggling sometimes with the concept in day to day situation (I am a seven after all and need action around me), I have managed to find serenity in my overall vision of life.
And I already have my word for 2010. It will be CREATE. After reaching the serenity state of knowing what I want, I will now go and get it. Create as in being creative (painting, taking photos, etc) or as in being creative (setting up my own business, creating the workshop concept so I can sell it, creating the charity etc).
I think I will have to use this word for two years though
M
November 19th, 2009 5:46 pm
ABUNDANCE!!!
December 14th, 2009 12:03 am
[...] had never heard of the “Word of the Year” idea before I began to read Christine’s blog on the recommendation of another blogger. Her idea appealed to me and seemed much more doable than [...]
December 16th, 2009 5:36 pm
[...] the past two years I have followed Christine Kane’s lead in choosing one word to guide me through the year. Focus was my word for 2008. What I [...]
December 24th, 2009 12:50 pm
Courage.
December 30th, 2009 1:04 am
HEAL.
December 30th, 2009 11:04 am
“WELL-BEING”
For months I was set on selecting “health” as my 2010 Word, because to me, health is fundamental to quality of life. This morning, I saw something, I cried, and realized I must go one step further. That is when I decided on well-being. Defined as: ‘the state of being happy, healthy or prosperous’ I redefined the word to: ‘the state of being happy, healthy AND prosperous’
And with this definitive step taken … my head is swirling and off I go on a new and exciting adventure with my “one word” …………
December 30th, 2009 2:44 pm
[...] Check out Christine Kane´s post for sample words of the year. [...]
December 31st, 2009 2:45 pm
[...] if I had to choose a focus word for the next 12 months, it would be [...]
January 1st, 2010 12:26 am
[...] blog about choosing a word for the year really resonated for me. What a fabulous idea, I thought, and a great replacement for the New [...]
January 1st, 2010 1:49 am
ACCEPTANCE x
January 1st, 2010 3:51 am
Initiative.
January 6th, 2010 11:05 pm
Gentleness.