As the glow from Christmas lights retire and the new year is blanketed in winter magic. I reflect on my previous one words. Openness, listen, believe, joy, hope, embrace, and balance were great guides on my journey from 2014 to 2020. Since last year was a transition time for the family. I chose the word begin. It honored my pathway to a new life in Virginia. This year, I desire to find one word that recognizes a need for wellness, peace, and quiet. It should be a word that awakens my spirit and opens channels of joy for the gift of life.
As I write this post in concert with my fellow Spiritual Journey Thursday community, I ponder words I gathered for this month's topic, One Little Word. Our host, Margaret Gibson, chose this prompt to start the new year with a powerful word that guides our journeys. I realize that my one word does not appear readily as it has in the past. What I start with is a full page of words on my desk, a recent dream that ends with appreciating life, and a short piece by Mike Robbins with a burning question that pops out at me.
But what if we took the time not only to appreciate but also acknowledge the simple things in our lives all the time in an authentic way?
I experience an aha moment! My one word appears:-APPRECIATE the small, simple, and ordinary aspects of life in an authentic way. I listen to Mike Robbins' TEDx video, The Power of Appreciation. One line speaks to me. "Appreciation is also an important element in effectively dealing with the stress of challenges and uncertainty that so many of us are facing these days."
With my new one word, I commit to pause and appreciate the small, simple, and ordinary aspects of life. I hope to awaken my spirit to see life through a clearer lens this year, focus on the positives of each situation, and be filled with the spirit of abounding joy for the gifts of life, family, faith, and friends.
"Life is full of delightful treasures if we take a moment to appreciate them." - Oprah Winfrey
Carol, the word "appreciate" seems to sparkle like the snow crystals on those boughs. It has just those layers of wellness, peace, and quiet that you seek. Love thinking of it tiptoeing through winter's hush. I appreciate YOU, your beautiful galleries, and every uplifting, artful thing you write! Your blog is a place of peace for me, always bright and sparkling like fresh snow in the morning sun.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate is a wonderful guiding word. Closely related to notice and gratitude, but different, more passive. I imagine you sitting back with a cup of coffee and looking, observing, enjoying what surrounds you. Thanks for linking up today and being a steady hand in these trying times.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I have a new chair in my great room, a gift from my sister. It is reupholstered and filled with memories of family. I enjoy sitting in it so the next time I do, I will think of your line, "I imagine you sitting back with a cup of coffee and looking, observing, enjoying what surrounds you," as I sit and relax. I appreciate your stopping by and leading our group again this year.
DeletePerfect choice! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteCarol, this is a great word with so many applications. Appreciate goes beyond just saying "Thank you" or enjoying the view in front of us. It makes us look at the reason for someone one's kind words or actions. It allows us to see the beauty before us and not just take it for granted. It is as important to be appreciated as it is to appreciate. Know that I appreciate your continued kind words and encouragement on my blog posts.
ReplyDeleteBob, this line, "It is as important to be appreciated as it is to appreciate," is such a truism. I try to wake with my OLW on my lips or in my thought.
Deleteoooooh! What a wonderful word! I love the stance that it puts you in as a writer and me in as your reader. It's just what I and we all need this year. Thank you. Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol, for a beautiful post and a beautiful word. I look forward to your thoughts and I especially appreciate your one word tip-toeing through winter's quiet hush. We expect some quiet hush here tomorrow... or is that slush? Ha...
ReplyDeleteCarol, I hope you and "appreciate" become dear friends this year. It is always a joy to read your thoughts and your poems.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully uplifting word for your 2022! My first thought is that "appreciate" is the action of gratitude, in a fashion...maybe one step before being thankful, for one must pause to appreciate something before one can be grateful for it. I hope your OLW is a magnet for many things to be appreciated this coming year.
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