I have been tossing around having a personal word for each year. We already have a family theme each year (although due to my inability to commit 2011 did not have one). So, having a personal theme seems in line with that. My choice for my 42nd year is: Thoughtful.
thought·ful
adjective Related Words:
I was, at first, thinking deliberate. Doing things deliberately rather then all willy nilly - how I do things now, but that sounded too confining. Thoughtful seems, to me, to extend towards remembering, being kinder, slowing down and leads both to thoughts and to actions. Sure, I could have gotten all Zen and just chosen mindful, but when I am thinking of the letters I need to write my aging aunts and keep putting off - mindful doesn't quite fit the bill. Thoughtful does.
What do I hope to get out of this? Truthfully, I want to slow down and celebrate the moments. I want to close my laptop when someone is talking to me. I want to spend time doing small things that matter to me (crafts, cooking, gardening, listening, writing, etc.) and know they are part of a larger picture.
My daughter is an exceptional description of thoughtful, especially in gift giving. For my birthday she walked over a mile to the used book store and found music for recorder duets. The sales clerk asked her why she wanted this aging pamphlet and when she explained her parents new hobby the older people in line thought it was all so cute. I, on the other hand, just thought it was tremendously thoughtful to find something that only I would even want - not just anything from the store, but something specific to me. Not only that, but she handmade party hats for everyone that evening - beyond thoughtful!
My plan is to make time for thoughtfulness. To record those moments and then to see what I think the changes are in my life due to it. A whole year - let's see how I do!
If you have a word or theme I would love to know about it... even if it is informal.
