Finding My 2026 One Little Word

Dear Lord,

It is late at night, and I still wonder why it is taking me so long to find my 2026 One Little Word. I usually find my guiding word before the end of December. Other times, the word finds me. You know that this past year was a series of ups and downs, so I need assurance that one of the six words surrounding me (space, healing, restore, peace, quietude, forward) will be a positive guide for 2026. The following poem has undergone numerous revisions. God, can you please help me choose a word to kick off this new year? 

Searching for My 2026 One Word 

winter white snowfalls

mask earth's terrain

silent thoughts call

from nature's domain

in this sacred pause

nothing agitates

sweet stillness because

it is time to wait

soft clouds slip away

swaying in sky's glow,

and without delay,

prepares a grand show

one little word nears,

restore, stands with pride

ready to lead and guide

I offer it loud cheers

draft ©cvarsalona, 2026 

God, I think I understand now. Restore is an effective, actionable guiding word. With your intervention, my OLW will inspire me to make meritable choices daily. The task of restoring my mind, body, and heart is challenging but essential. I turn to Psalm 51:12. "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." 

Now that I am starting bereavement therapy, I feel hopeful beyond tears to continue my spiritual journey. As a faithful traveler who believes, I can successfully restore my joy of living. With your help, I will be able to rise from the chaos of loss. Thank you for listening and supporting my spiritual journey. You know that it is difficult for me to enjoy winter with a fractured ankle and grey skies, but I am trying.

_Carol

winter blues chaser

wanted to restore sunshine

gift of warmth

©CVarsalona, January 2026

Spiritual Journey 2026

Logo: Margaret Simonn

Photo:: Molly Hogan

This week's host of Spiritual Journey is Margaret Simon, who offers a beautiful original poem that floats with peace and her OLW.

AND

This week's host of the Poetry Friday Roundup is Ruth Hersey. She is sharing a poem, "Soulful Warming" by J. Drew L:anham.

Connecting with My One Little Word - SJT 2022

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.

one word tip-toes

through winter's quiet hush

new year greetings

©CV, 2022

 "Life is full of delightful treasures if we take a moment to appreciate them." - Oprah Winfrey

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I am grateful that my one word, appreciate, is my guide this year. I plan on finding the ahhh moments as Oprah says. Join me at Poetry Friday this week. I am hosting this week at my blog with extended thoughts on my one word. 

Embracing My One Little Word

The chill of winter is in the air. The earth has hardened in the garden beds and the neighborhood cat is searching for porches to sit upon. Nature is embracing its seasonal change as I ready myself for a new year. 

one simple word

special in its intent-
greets 2019

©CV, 2019

Each year, one little word guides my journey. Last year, 2018, was one of ups and downs but my one word, hope, was working in the background to support me. I recall poet Mary Lee Hahn sending me a lovely sticker and pin, Embrace Hope, that highlighted my OLW. Little did I know that the word embrace would wait a full year for its turn to be a change agent. 

My choice for a 2019 OLW was validated during December, as the word embrace popped up several times in conversation and text. The final affirmation came when I read Mary Lee Hahn's December 28th Poetry Friday post. She stated, "Next time we gather it will be 2019 so early best wishes for a new year full of dappled things and the embrace of change." That statement was an "aha" moment. Embrace could take on different forms, both as a noun and verb and I could combine it with other thoughts to extend its reach. The basic intent will be to move forward journeying onward to become a better version of me.

 

Now, I am ready for a new year full of wonder and the embrace of change though it may be an uncomfortable prospect. The following thoughts will be starting points. Wish me luck!

• "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
• "Don't be afraid of new beginnings. Don't shy away from new people, new energy, new surroundings. Embrace new chances at happiness." Billy Chapata, writer and poet 

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I am joining the Spiritual Journey first Thursday community for our monthly writing get-together. This month, Ruth Hersey, is today's host.

Reflecting on My One Word

In a year of challenges and small triumphs, my one word, hope, journeyed with me. Sometimes, hope led me when I needed support. Other times hope lingered behind waiting for me to pause to notice new possibilities and routes to follow. Hope was there when I needed a listener and gave me the strength to wipe away tears. It brought me smiles and the confidence to forge ahead. 

Oftentimes, hope stayed in the background but there were many times it popped up to remind me of its commitment to guide me on my journey. I found hope in many places, in images, positive feelings, my grandbaby's smile, and small triumphs. Hope nudged me to stop worrying about what needed to be accomplished. It signaled me to relax in the presence of a new day but life has its way of causing interruptions and bringing uncertainties to the forefront. Meeting those challenges takes strength, faith, and hope.

This week, I leaned on my one word to accomplish what I needed to do. There were doctor, dentist, and physical therapy visits, and also yoga classes to de-stress. Autumn decorations needed to be replaced by Christmas items. It seemed as if there was hardly any time to pause. I needed time to relax, write, and reflect. The opportunity came after another trying visit to the dentist. 

As I walked outside, I noticed the pond across the street. It called me to stop by. Granted it was very cold outside and I had many errands to run but I knew I would regret not pausing to catch my breath and observe nature. It was when I made the decision to stop that I realized hope was leading me toward the pond. There was a mass of ducks huddling together, probably trying to keep warm. All was peaceful on the pond. The ripples were gentle. I felt calm and relaxed taking photos of the scene until an intruder came in honking and flapping his wings. I started thinking, "Isn't that what happens in life?" Distractors are all around. 

For several days, I have been thinking about the pond and the photos I took. Then at the beginning of yoga today the teacher asked the class to think about the sounds that may be distracting us. She added that it is up to us to put aside the distractors and focus. I know that I have been distracted by interruptions and to do lists. I have questioned my ability to persevere. I called upon hope to become my support and I wrote as a cathartic act.

Hope continues to be present in my life as a gentle, supportive guide that exists in this world of challenges and triumphs. 

Life is fragile and uncertain but possibilities wait around the bend if we have faith. 

Tonight I join my writing friends at Irene Latham's blog for Spiritual Journey first Thursday. We are reflecting on how our spiritual journeys have been impacted and influenced by our one little word. 

Wait

As practitioners of life, 

we all wait for various events 

We anticipate and look forward to them. 

Waiting is difficult for many 

but it has its rewards. 

For months in my community, we have watched the amazing work of the renovation of the diocese's cathedral. The structures surrounding the church have been wonders of might, rising high into the sky. Each week I look up marveling at the work of rebuilding and refurbishing our giant cathedral and remind myself that what is happening before my eyes is the clearing of an old path making way for a new one.

When my family first came into town we joined St. Agnes' faithful community of believers and went through one church renovation. When my children were young the newly renovated cathedral had a ceiling filled with colorful rubrik's cube-like boxes. The children often laughed when they went to church and looked up onto the high ceiling of many colors. Now we hear that the ceiling will look totally different. The parishioners wait in eager anticipation. The structure that you see below is one that will clear a path to a new look for the cathedral and the community. 

St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, NY waiting for its renovation

Today is both Two Writing Teachers' Slice of Life, March SOLSC and Spiritual Journey Thursday under the direction of Holly Mueller, a member of the Slice of Life community. We are writing about Holly's one word, wait. When drafting this post, I decided that I would capture all the one little words of the Spiritual Journey Thursday bloggers in a poem that describes my thoughts while waiting during the period of reconstruction. 

We wait in earnest anticipation
with faith guiding our days.
We wait as true believers standing 
in the presence of a Master Guide, 
who delights in our journey 
toward a mindful state.
We wait with intent and delight
for Resurrection Sunday when
the bellfry chimes will ring with 
a bold sound calling all to 
worship and community. 
The long wait will be over.
The cathedral will shine with
the wonder of newness. 
We will be present in faith 
as we pause and rest in 
gratitude for the wait to be over.
©CVarsalona, 2016

Lent is the time to simplify life as we wait in quiet stillness
and admire what is before us.
Selah!

Psalm 27:14 says:
Wait for the Lord;
Be strong, and let your heart take courage.

This post marks Day 10 of my Clearing The Path series. Please visit Two Writing Teachers to read the Day 10 March of Life Story Challenge posts here and Spiritual Journey Thursday here to read what the other bloggers are writing in response to the word wait.

Delight

In the past weeks, Nature has delighted herself with her artistic talents. Canvases of white splashed with greying raindrops, brittle branches, and splashes of snowsun have created tapestries of varied hues. I've noticed a quiet hush settling over the landscape during the winter storms and there is anticipation and sometimes anxiety over what is to come. From below freezing temperatures to above average ones, the weather has been a topic of conversation. But let's flip the thoughts to this beautiful one by Daniel Boone.

Nature is a series of wonders and a fund of delight.

I delight in the photo opportunities nature provides for me but many grumble about the chain of events. If only the world could see beyond the darkened skies to notice the snowsun warming life and providing a measure of quiet winter solitude. If only there was a sense of positivity and delight in what we have, then perhaps winter whisperings could be heard above discontented voices.

How can we access feelings of delight in the midst of confusion, discontent, and avoidance? Do we find delight in our beliefs and in the quiet hush? Can we even find delight amidst our turbulent feelings? 

Imagine little children running into the wind and filling their lungs with the pure air of life that holds all their desires. Isn't that sight something to hold onto as we seek delight? Let's run like the children, feeling the freshness of nature all around us and the warmth of faith in our hearts.

When you want to find the delights of ordinary life, you can turn your thoughts to Psalm 37:4:

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

and in Psalm 36:7-8:

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They rest on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights.

Each week the Spiritual Journey Thursday community gathers under the leadership of Holly Mueller to discuss topics that guide our walk through life. This week we are discussing Irene Latham's one little word, delight. Since Irene is a poet of gentle stature, I thought that Robert Frost's quote would be a fitting one to create a digital inspiration around. 

A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom.

May you find delight as you run toward the snowsun with praise and thanksgiving for what is offered and ultimately find the wisdom to bring a positive perspective to everything that is before you.

Please visit Holly Mueller's blog to read the other posts about Irene's word for her 2016 journey.

Special Invitation:

Join me in a delightful conversation at IsteLitChat on a topic that delights me: The Power of Poetry. Let your voice rise as we discuss the beauty of language.

Beginnings

When one door closes another opens is a common phrase that signifies endings and new beginnings on our journey of life.  As I researched songs that discuss this theme, I found one, Brand New Sun, that is termed "an ode to embracing a new chapter in life." Jason Lytle provides a breathy song that is uplifting and hopeful, as all new beginnings should be.

On the endless journey of life

endings bring closure

signifying: 

a fresh start

a new chapter
new beginnings

a journey of faith-filled forevers.

With a focused, positive frame of mind follow the path.

Meander through gardens and byways 

turning your gaze upward

listening for breathe's cues.

Then,

gently spread your wings.

With perseverance and patience,

fly to greater heights than you knew.

As each step leads you on,

read the road.

Still the chatter. 

Steady any restless steps.

Look for guideposts along the way.

Dive into refreshing pools waiting ahead.

Carefully stretch your limits. Find the challenge

that will shape your tomorrows and bring you rest.

Reach into the vast open spaces of possibilities. 

Your new journey awaits.

Carol Varsalona © 2015

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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.   

Jeremiah 29:11

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Today the Spiritual Journey Thursday writers under the direction of Holly Mueller, explore the topic of Endings/Beginnings. The poem above incorporates the one little words of the original group of writers. 

What is your perspective on endings and beginnings?

Please visit #Spiritual Journey Thursday to read the postings.