Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Word of the Year 2013


Wait.

No, not you. Me. Yep, “wait” is my word of the year. Didn’t see that coming.

In fact, I was pretty sure it was another word. I spent the last week savoring that other word, looking up quotes, imagining it, exploring it. And then, as New Year’s Eve moved from afternoon to early evening, and I was starting to get ahead of myself a bit by thinking of my post today, I was reading another quote about that other word, and the word “wait” glowed on the page, calling my attention to it, gently nudging the other word away.

Hmm, I thought, not a very sexy word. A bit dull, even tedious. Not glittery and exciting like my word for 2012, Shine. Waiting well is not something I’m known for. On the contrary, I’ve more often heard myself described, even by those who love me, as, well, impatient.

But I’ve gotten so much better, I protested to this word. I can belly breathe when I get stuck in traffic. I can entertain myself while standing in line to check out. I can almost stay calm when I get handed off through a series of recorded messages to end up still not talking to a real person. Almost.

Really, I don’t think this could possibly be my word, I thought. The word waited. (The irony of that is not lost on me.)

Well, there was that time last summer, which still haunts me, when I reacted quickly and forcefully in fear. I still wonder what would have happened if I had paused to breathe and think before doing what fear told me to do.

And what about all those times when I interrupt? I’m so eager to speak my piece, to move the conversation along, to get things resolved, to override the other person’s opinion.

I have been thinking a lot lately about how scattered I feel, how my mind kittens are high on catnip, how I fidget restlessly while trying to settle in prayer or meditation, how multi-tasking seems to be my default mode because I can’t focus on one thing at a time, how I’ve been yearning to deepen my spiritual practice.

But waiting is not what I had in mind. The word smiled.

So I said the word...and waited. The effect was immediate. My body relaxed, my mind calmed. Like sinking into a soft pillow or warm water. I felt alert, filled with quiet anticipation. My soul expanded, open.

I remembered my word of 2011, and yielded. My new word, Wait, glowed happily and settled in.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.  –Psalm 130:5-6

Do you have a word or phrase that will guide you this year? If you have written about it and would like to include a link to your post, I invite you to do so.  May 2013 be a year of abundant blessings to us all.

62 comments:

  1. Oh, wow, Galen! Talk about coincidence! I just finished writing my Friday blog all about my word for the year (I'll reveal it then). I was inspired by you and another blogger I follow for having a word to define your year. I think you have chosen a wonderful one for 2013 or, to be more precise, it has chosen you just as mine chose me. :)
    Blessings, my friend!

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    1. Martha, I hope you will come back and include a link! I'm having trouble "waiting" with suspense to know your word!

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  2. Oh, the power of words! I love your description of your "mind kittens" being "high on catnip" - a very apt phrase for the way it feels inside my head at times...

    You're right - your word for the year doesn't seem sexy or exciting - but I trust that it will be calming and hopeful for you.

    I read a quote on Goodreads yesterday: “Men trust God by risking rejection. Women trust God by waiting.”
    (Carolyn McCulley)

    Have a glowing year, Galen.

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    1. Alexia, I think it will be. I've been finding some inspiring thoughts and quotes today about waiting, including the intriguing one you mentioned. I think it will be exactly the right word for me this year. Hope your year glows with joy.

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  3. Ah, the humor of the Universe! I can only imagine your initial reaction; mine would have been voiced aloud, ala Captain Kirk, "Dammit, Jim!" I think our personality types are closely aligned, so I'm going to be observing and perhaps imitating your efforts as you WAIT through 2013.

    Yes, I have a word for 2013 and will reveal it in my Thursday B Here Today post. Happy New Year, my blogging friend!

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    1. Beth, Yes, that Universe is very funny! The word has been growing on me through the day. I have a lot to learn from it, I think. Can't wait (ha!) to know your word. Please come back and add a link if you want to.

      Happy New Year to you, too.

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  4. Hi Galen,

    Like Alexia said, words are powerful things. They are filled with meaning and emphasis. Some demand, others suggest, some prod and others comfort and console. Some rouse and some instigate and inspire.

    To have a word to define and shape a year's worth of experiences is such a wonderful idea.

    We wait for life to do what it does, for people to grow for our own lives to respond to the actions we take and produce the results we hope for.

    May the New Year bless you in your waiting, Galen, and fill your life with beauty.

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    1. Ken, Thank you for your blessings on the new year and on my word. I look forward to another year of your wisdom and friendship.

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  5. I had no intention of having a word, New Years resolutions, or even a year end post. Fate had other plans. Awaken.....read about it and my friend Bethany's journey that sparked it at
    One word, one goal, many paths

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    1. Dan, I will read this for sure this morning. Your comment reminded me of the saying "Man plans, God laughs."

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  6. Hi Galen,
    "Follow thru"
    be good to yourself
    David

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    1. David, Yes, I could use a bit more follow through in my life, too. Maybe waiting will help me do that.

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  7. I love how your word "found" you.

    My theme for 2013 is "letting go." I wrote about it yesterday at http://bringingalongocd.blogspot.com/2012/12/looking-forward-to-2013.html and will write even more in my post tomorrow (Wednesday).

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    1. Tina, That is a wonderful guiding phrase. I look forward to reading your posts later today.

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  8. Oh, I think that's lovely - it's a word of mindfulness and receptiveness, and of letting the Universe guide you someplace beautiful that you might never have come to on your own. I know you'll have a gorgeous year, and I look forward to hearing about it.

    I think I've decided on my word, and I'll probably be writing about it shortly too. Happy New Year, and many blessings to you!

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    1. Jennifer, Thank you for your support and inspiration. I look forward to hearing about your word. Come back and add a link to your post if you want to.

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  9. I love the story of how you came about choosing your word. May you seek it boldly in 2013!

    My word is "peace"... for the obvious reasons. http://www.cberryonline.com/2012/12/one-word-2013-peace.html

    Happy New Year, friend!

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    1. Chrissy, Yes, peace would be a good word for you and for many of us! I look forward to reading your article this afternoon.

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  10. Oh gosh, I could resonate with each word of this post! We have impatience in common. Wait could also be a perfect word for me despite all the same protestations.:)

    My word for 2013 is "nying je", which could be translated as "compassion" but is actually a blend of love, compassion, gentleness, kindness, forgiveness, tolerance, and all that makes up a good heart. Compassion is the way to slowly eradicate self-clinging and self-cherishing and that's where i want to go in 2013...at least a bit in that distance!

    Here's my article with a super long url on the topic.

    http://alwayswellwithin.com/2012/12/16/the-secret-to-one-powerful-word-the-simple-alternative-to-new-years-resolutions/

    Wishing you the very best new year!

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    1. Sandra, We have a lot in common, don't we, including impatience apparently! I love your word and enjoyed your article about it.

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  11. I absolutely love this idea. I'm going to mediate on the idea a bit more but the word joy has been on my mind a lot lately. I've had two incredibly difficult years where survival was possibly the word of the year but this year I am truly ready for joy. Blessings to you!

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    1. Lynne, You can't go wrong with joy! May this word guide your heart and spirit this year and fill it with with overflowing joy!

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  12. Hi Galen----my word for this year is going to be love. I want to continue to build my life around this word/quality and keep it in the forefront of my consciousness! I want to ask myself questions about it in various situations----for instance, " Did you act from fear or love or something else?" If I am not acting from love, then I want to explore why that is, but with love and compassion for myself. It sounds like a full-time job to me! And well worth doing! Happy New Year to you!

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    1. Jean, Like Lynne's word Joy, you can't go wrong with Love either! And I like your question about the source of your actions. Personally, I believe that fear and love are your only two choices. Everything is rooted in one of those. And I also love your recognition that love and compassion begin at home with ourselves. And yes, that is a full time job! I wish you much love this year, especially for yourself.

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  13. I don't have a word yet. I am waiting. :-) I am sure it will come to me and I'll know it is just right when it comes. I suspect it might be explore. But let me wait a little longer and see.

    :-) Hugs! I love how you describe the experience. I always have the happy image of the nunchuck nana. :D May you be blessed with all that you wait for!

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    1. Vidya, Funny that you are waiting for your word. You are modeling my word for me! Let me know when you know what your word is. Blessings to you, my friend.

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  14. So nice to find you here through Savira. I don't know if I have a word for my blog, but I have a theme for this year! It's called INSPIRATION and this year I'm writing 365 Inspirations. http://www.lessonsfromthemonkimarried.blogspot.com Happy New Year!

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    1. Katherine, Welcome! My word is not just for the blog but for my life, so it's like a theme for the year. Inspiration is a wonderful word, and I look forward to reading some of your daily posts. I'm doing something similar on my FB fan page with a daily post about joy. Between the two of us, we should have it all covered--ha!

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  15. humility
    verse Micah 6:8

    "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?"

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    1. Nan, I love that verse, one of my favorites. Humble was on my short list this year for words. It is a beautiful concept.

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  16. Amen to this post, Galen. I hadn't thought of one single word to describe my year ahead. You have spurred me on. I will get back when I have my word.

    Joy always,
    Susan

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    1. Susan, I look forward to hearing back from you!

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    2. As promised, here I am, dear Galen. My word for this year is 'aware.' I find that increasingly I have been letting out words spurred by reckless thoughts. Though the thoughts and words are definitely mine, I think I should be aware and restrain caution in certain situations. For me to restrain caution means that I have to be aware of what goes inside my mind and what comes outside my mouth. So, the word is 'aware,' and this word is not for words and deeds but also to every sphere of my life. Thanks for this post. I did work on this and came up with this word. Now, off to be aware and blissful.

      Thanks again.

      Joy always,
      Susan

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    3. Susan, I'm so glad you came back. Great word! I can see that you have given this a lot of thought and clearly you show some awareness in choosing the word aware! I wish you all the best with your word this year.

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  17. Wonderful, I recognize myself in your words and have started the waiting. In waiting my own Spirituality was revealed to me, (I thought I had none), growth stemmed from simple waiting. Thank you for sharing this. and your love. Love Jan

    "spread your arms in love and soar above the storm". Anonymous

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    1. Jan, I'm pleased to hear that "wait" has been a deepening word for you. I think it will be for me, too.

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  18. Hi Galen,
    Been following for some time but not commenting. This did it! My word for 2013 is MOVE. It is multi meaningful. Move as opposed to sitting and thinking anymore. Like I know what I want and just have to get some movement going. It also means move, as in relocate. This is in the plan for 2013. Move also inspires me to work on all the half-finished writing projects - move the fingers on the keyboard and do it! It also means move the crap out of this house so when you do really MOVE it will be lighter.

    I'm overjoyed at the word - yes, it is smiling at me now!
    Moving
    Hugs
    SuZen

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    1. SuZen, I'm glad I "moved" you to comment! Last year had a lot of moving in it for me, so I wish you the best this year with all your projects. Thanks for reading whether you comment or not--you are always welcome.

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  19. Thank you for sharing your word in 2013 - I loved your word Shine and now you wait....it's all good to shine, to wait, to live, to love......

    My one word this year is BLISS.....Ananda..... Why not live in BLISS......expanded awareness in the collective consciousness...

    In love and light
    Much Bliss,
    Nancy

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    1. Nancy, You pick some great words! Splendor was your word last year, wasn't it? I love your description of bliss as expanded awareness in the collective consciousness. I might borrow that phrase! Blissful blessings to you this year.

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  20. Galen: I am patient, but although Dickens modernized the phrase in Modern English, the Old English phrase, "And te tide and te time þat tu iboren were, schal beon iblescet," has been around for two millenia: "Time and Tide Wait for No Man."

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    1. JJ, So glad we don't speak Old English anymore! Ha, I'm sure people in the future will say the same about our English. So if things don't wait for man, maybe man must necessarily learn to wait? Hm, we'll see what this year brings.

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  21. You could always paste a few sequins on it and that would gussy it up a bit. No, only kidding. It's rather akin to patience and that is a virtue that cannot be denied.

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    1. Manzanita, That's a great idea! I put little post its around where I will see my word. I'll decorate them! And yes, waiting goes hand in hand with patience. I have a lot to learn this year.

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  22. In prior years it's been a phrase that set the pattern of my life that I'd post on my refrigerator,such as: Forgiveness is good for your Soul; No Regrets-Only Gratitude (the year after my husband died); Happiness is Home grown; If not Now, When? I like the idea of setting the tone of the new year with only one word. The word that keeps coming to me is EMBRACE. Embrace where I am in my life's journey and enjoy all of the new adventures and challenges that are to come.

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    1. Embrace! What a great word! It takes acceptance a step further. I think you will have a wonderful year with this word. Keep in touch and let me know.

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  23. Galen,
    Love your word and the scripture you referenced. It has always been a favorite to recall when I am feeling impatient.

    My word is "Perspective." It came to me yesterday after I recovered from the news that my blog had been compromised by a link to another blog which is a host for Malware. If you are not familiar with the term Google it. Seriously bad stuff.

    Anyway, instead of removing the cancer I decided to avoid further problems by removing the limb.

    Later while I was writing about the incident in my journal the word came to me. Once I put things into perspective the decision to delete the blog was much easier than I had thought.

    Malcolm and I will face many decisions during the new year as we move forward with our plans to downsize. This word will serve me well as we weigh options and seek guidance.

    Best wishes for a wonderful new year.

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    1. Suzanne, I was shocked to read your comment. I went right over to your blog address, not believing it was gone...but it was. I am so sorry this happened to you, and I would appreciate more information if you want to comment or email me. I know others would like to know what to watch out for, too.

      I will miss your blog. I would love to chat with you (email if you want to) about how this decision is affecting your life and what the transition is like for you. Your focus on perspective is critical and so very wise.

      Thank you for all your blog has contributed to blogworld. You are a wonderful inspiration and a terrific writer.

      Please don't disappear from my life! I hope you'll stay in touch and let me know how you're doing.

      All the best to you in this new year and may your perspective keep you happy and grounded.

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  24. Can't wait to see how it all comes together. for it always comes together if we are patient! <3 Happy New Year!

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    1. Jodi, as the guy says in the Best Marigold Hotel movie, it's always all right in the end, so if it's not all right, it's not the end. I can't "wait" to see what gifts waiting will bring. Happy New Year to you, too.

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  25. I like your word. .i think it will refine your already disciplined and introspective self. I think I'll pick the word " do" for me. It's not too complex, but meaningful to my procrastinating self. Have a great year.

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    1. Myrna, You and I will be opposites this year. I'll be waiting and you'll be doing. We will balance each other very well, I think.

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  26. What a lovely, lovely post. I could feel myself moving with each paragraph as you dwelt on the word, "wait." The ending with the Bible verse was a pleasant surprise. I'm a Christian too, but I often forget and I shouldn't make God "wait" for me. Thank you for sharing:)

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. I hope that the practice of waiting this year will make me much more attentive to the voice of Spirit, by whatever name, that speaks to all of us.

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  27. Galen -- great post that captures perfectly how I'm trying to approach the coming year, but I didn't have the word for it until now. Reminds me of one of my favorite books -- Trappist by Michael Downey -- which explores how the central occupation of the monk is simply to wait. We can learn more than a few things from those monks -- and from you!

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    1. Stephen, I love that idea. I will check out the book and learn how to wait from the monks.

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  28. Wait is a wonderful word Galen (and no, I didn't see it coming!) Rather than "Patience" which feels like a demand, a chore, wait is peaceful and calm.
    I blogged about words today - choosing 5 for the year (greedy me!) and mine are joy, flow, intuition, abundance and fearlessness.
    Yes, words are very powerful, particularly if you commit to them!
    All the best!
    Lori

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    1. Lori, those are great words. Why pick just one when you can have five?! As I was waiting for my word (!) New Year's Eve, I went down to the creek and thought about the word flow. I had many words in mind that seemed connected to water. I also had a bear dream. Bear as a totem animal represents intuition. So you and I will be sharing some word energy this year. All the best to you, too.

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  29. I don't really have a phrase or word for a year. I try to give thanks to the creator at the start of each new day for my privileged life and at its end. I agree that words have power, but so does our joy.

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    1. Paul, What a great approach. Words have power only because of the energy we invest in them. Same for thoughts. An attitude of gratitude is better than any single word.

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  30. Hi Galen - I went with the word giving. Going to give of myself more this year! Also, with meeting more friends of late from Portland, it looks more likely a trip this year is necessary:) Looking forward to meeting up and your continued inspiration here!

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    1. Vishnu, I will "wait" patiently (or maybe not so patiently) for your much anticipated visit! Good word--giving!

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