Note: December is Word-of-the-Year Month at Christine’s Blog. As we roll into another New Year, each day will feature a new guest blogger who chose one word as a way of setting intention for her whole year. Today’s guest is Kerri Peterson-Davis.
Last December I met a wonderful colleague who pastors a UCC church in the Charlotte, NC area. She shared with me her mantra-of-sorts that she uses when she finds herself dumbfounded by the choices people make, the situation surrounding her, or life in general:
Turn from Judgment to Wonder.
I love that phrase and, I must say, it did come in handy when she and I traveled with 18 other pastors for 15 days through Palestine/Israel last winter. (You know why, right? 15 days is a long time no matter how much you enjoy the company!)
At the same time she shared this phrase with me I read a blog from Christine Kane about new year’s resolutions. I had read it about it on her blog previously but decided to take the plunge for the year ahead. The concept is to choose a word to guide your thoughts for the year.
So my word this year has been Wonder.
It is way too easy for me to fall into judging. I don’t like that about myself mostly because it points to my own insecurities that seem to rise to any occasion, especially when I’m tired or stressed. I put Wonder as the word on my screen saver. I’ve posted Wonder on post it notes in my office and on my bathroom mirror.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
What I’ve discovered is that it is a reminder to confess – to literally turn from judgment to wonder. You Hebrew scholars remember that “repent” means to turn around as does the Greek “metanoia.” In that prayer of confession we often use each Sunday morning we are literally reminding ourselves to turn around. To turn away from the stuff that keeps us from God (judgment) and turn to God (wonder).
So I’m wondering:
* why I felt the need to give that scowl to the woman who decided to stand in the middle of the Target aisle chatting with her friend and blocking my way. Could I have not just said “excuse me” with a smile rather than the scowl?
* why McCain chose Palin. (Seriously.) I know what my cynical self says.
* why we can’t give credit to those who deserve it and instead take the acclamation for ourselves.
Today I’ll be doing my best to turn my judgment to wonder.
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
this is a great word Kerri- thanks for sharing a different approach to turning around the judging part of ourselves.
wonderful word !
Thanks Cher and M… I’m still “wondering” what my word will be for 2009.
For some reason my bio didn’t make it into the post… here is my website with more info
http://www.revkpd.com
Hi Kerri,
Wonder!
One of the truly magnificent words. Super choice. Love your judgment examples. Here’s an idea ~ next time any of us feel a judgment coming on perhaps try doing the opposite. Why not join in with the two women talking in the aisle and make new friends! Why not give away as much credit as we can! We’d be so busy wondering all over the place there wouldn’t be time for judging.
Enjoy the wonder of 2009.
G.
Finder of Genius
Wow, thanks Kerri. That phrase ‘Turn from judgement to wonder’ is powerful. What would happen in the world if we traded judgement for wonder? It’s a challenge worth taking. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Kerri – I’m in Charlotte! I didn’t even know we had a UCC here! Had to google it. I really enjoyed your post!!
Hey Caren
Holy Covenant is the name of the church my friend pastors. She is wonderful.
I do love the passion that your feature writers bring, and of course Christine is wonderful… why are there no guys? I say that all knowing that your retreats are women based, and frankly I admit I struggle to find guys out there who want to correspond about writing. Oh I have a few gay and straight … though the straight guys really have to be “Comfortable” with themselves to be out and about in this world.
It’s a shame… keep writing you beautiful women, and I’ll keep reading.
Dave
thanks SO much, Kerri! your wonderFULL post is helping me step into this New Year with new eyes and a more open heart.
gotta love that!
Everyone’s words have been so inspiring. When I first read about this idea I didn’t think much about choosing a word or think it was something I really wanted to do. But I guess reading everyone’s posts has made a word choose me. It just started dancing around in my head over the past few weeks. So my word for 2009 is Authentic. I have tried too long to follow the Do first model, and it has gotten me to places I just never wanted to BE. I just turned 40 so it’s time to BE who I want and DO what fits how I want to be, not how I think I should be or how I think someone else wants me to be. I’m excited about what 2009 has in store and I am grateful to Christine and everyone else for sharing their dreams and intentions.
I loved reading the month of words by the guest bloggers. I didn’t have to think too long to arrive at my own word for 2009: content. You can read it with stress on either syllable. I decided I am conTENT with what I have and where I’m at in life, and will strive to continue to BE content, but I will be mindful of the CONtent I put into my work, my words, my thinking. Happy New Year!
What a “wonder”-ful word!! I have the same issue with judgement and now (thanks to you) have a practice to help turn it into wonder!! I am going to use it to help myself “soar” this year (my word for 2009).