What is Your Word for 2017?

A few years ago, I was introduced to the idea of choosing a word for each new year. I’ve found that this practice serves as a very helpful guide all year long, sometimes prophetically so! There are several sites on the internet that offer reasons and help for choosing a word. The concept is that one chooses a word that encompasses a desired way of being for the new year.

In 2015, I chose the word, “breathe.” This was the year I became quite ill and my word served as a gift – the reminder to rest, relax, release and simply breathe. This past year my word was “embrace” and I found myself more willing to try new challenges, accept new ways of living, and savor them all.

For 2017, I feel my word is “thrive.” This is a word I chose to use instead of survive as I went through my treatments for cancer. But for 2017, it will be a guide for me to live well and abundantly. In order to “thrive,” I consider how a seedling thrives: I hope to put down roots- to consider West Virginia my new home and to establish community here. I hope to grow- in health, wisdom, and faith in God. I hope to flourish- in order to produce good fruit that will bless others.  Like St. Therese, who spoke of being a “little flower” who gave glory to God simply by “being her little self among all the other flowers in God’s garden,” I hope to glorify God by truly being whom God created me to be.

What might your word be for the new year? How do you see yourself at the end of 2017?

Blessings on your journey!