2011 in a Word

It would be easy to choose an inspirational word as the intended theme for the coming year. Something like "soar"..you know to great heights and all that jazz.

Did you almost gag at the sweetness of it?

Another option could be something superhero-esque like "attack". Take charge of the year--tiara, sparkling superhero underwear, and magical wand at the ready.

But, like my pay it forward series I wanted to choose a word that I could find a way to incorporate every day. So, for 2011 I have selected the word "present" as in "Be present.". It will be an enormous challenge for me to quiet the ever constant chatter in my head, pause, take a deep breath, and simply focus on the moment. It is rare for me to be truly "present" in a moment, as I am always thinking forward, anticipating, reflecting to the past.

I think some of the magic of life is lost in that, I know my entire high school years were lost in my rapid need to "get-out-of-dodge". It's something I'd like to teach Liam, being present, and what better way than by example. Here's to hoping that this time next year, I'll be able to tell you that I was really able to embody this word, this concept. I think I know my life will be richer for it.

What one word would you like to use to describe the coming year?

Click here to see how I described 2010.

One Word

Reverb '10 is a project that asks you to reflect on the past year and manifest what is to come in the new year. In my mind it's a project that asks you to find your center if you've lost it and to strengthen it if you know exactly where you are.

After a month of prescriptive blogging during November with my Pay it Forward project, I didn't want to commit to daily blogging about a particular theme in December as well. But, I thought I'd select some of the writing prompts that spoke to me and single them out.

One of the writing prompts was written by Gwen Bell who asks how you would describe 2010 in a single word. If I had to chose a single word to define my 2010 it would be "dangling". This entire year has left me feeling a little like I was a spider hanging at the bottom of a single flimsy thread of silk. Not firmly attached to anything, just sort of bobbing and swaying in the breeze--never firmly attached to any thing or any place.

I don't think this is always a bad thing, sometimes you just have to float along and see where the winds take you. Sometimes that's how you find new opportunities or new people--new experiences. For me though, I think it's been a bit of an aimless year. I have always defined myself by work. Since I was about 7 or 8 years old, I have always known that the world of work would be a place I would find success and personally be rewarded. I do still work in the evenings and on weekends (and I am very thankful for the work I have), but it's not the same. It's not the same kind of work. It's not the same caliber of work. I miss the clickety-clack of heels and the feel of a smart suit. But, I wouldn't trade working with people I don't know for the experience of raising my son...ever. That said, it doesn't mean that I'm not still struggling to find my footing in this new world.

What would be the "one word" you would use to describe your 2010?

Click here to see how I anticipate describing 2011.