My 3 Words - 2021 Edition

 If I'm being honest, right at this moment I'm typing this post in the paradox of being excited about 2021 and weary from the past couple of years. I have always found value in thinking through themes I want to appear during my next year. I set goals too, but the words fit my need to have freedom and yet control at the same time. So here it goes for 2021. (check out my words from last year, if you want to).

This year, my three words are inspired by books that I have put at the top of my reading (or re-reading) list.

Create - This theme has shown up numerous times throughout my past even before my three words were a thing. I have always found it easier to put performance ahead of creating. I have suffered from procrastination and the feeling of being a counterfeit creator - wondering what value my creations have or if they in fact have value outside of me. So, this year I'm reading The War of Art by Pressfield in an effort to study my resistance to creating and be inspired to create.

Peace - While I know where my peace comes from, I don't intentionally cultivate peace. I'm expanding my reading of McManus' works including The Way of the Warrior - a book that is a "call to decisiveness, self-examination, and the pursuit of spiritual wholeness. I've done a short study of writings from this book and found every paragraph inspiring and deeply challenging.

Celebration - I desire daily celebration and the call to be present every moment I'm given. I've read the book Celebration of Disciplines by Richard Foster multiple times but rarely followed the practices for any substantial amount of time. I brushed off my copy of this book from a book study (back in the day) and look forward to reacquainting myself to these sacred practices ending 2021 with a chapter on Celebration as a discipline.

My Three Words - 2020 Edition

I can't put into words how I feel about being able to write my 3 words for 2020. 2019 was quite a year and I'm entering 2020 with a hope and energy that is both renewed and just discovered already within myself. My words for 2019 were meaningful and yet not as impactful as they could have been if I'd not been distracted by life. Going into 2020, I'm drawing on two words that have been close to my heart for a few years but have not made my list for some reason. And, of course, because I'm an enneagram 7 I had to include something new too!

Here are my words for 2020:

Freedom

I love my freedom or conversely I don't much care for being told what I can and cannot do. I recently listened to a great podcast that described how our modern day thinking is still influenced by Augustine's philosophy that dates back to late 300AD. One thing they discuss is the difference between "freedom from" vs "freedom for". As an American especially, I really embraced the "freedom from" perspective...as in I don't have to do what you tell me to because I have the freedom to do what I want, when I want and how I want. But the power of "freedom for" is so much more compelling, once I understood it. Because I have freedom, I can have so much more growth and impact by limiting myself to things I have "freedom for"...guardrails as it were...all things are permissable but not all things are beneficial. In 2020, I will look for guardrails and operate within constraints in an effort to maximize my freedom for posture.

Connection

When I first did work to come up with my "one word" I wasn't able to choose just one. Ironic in light of my previous word. However, I've always loved the paradox of having freedom and connection at the same time. And since, connection is one of my top 5 strengths it makes sense to intentionally build deeper, meaningful connections with people in 2020. 

Single-Tasking

My last word for 2020 is single-tasking. As you might suspect, it is the opposite of multi-tasking. This will be a difficult adjustment for me and I acknowledge it early on. Most of the time, I have at least two things going on in my minute-by-minute activities. Work a puzzle while a movie is playing on my iPad. Writing emails while listening to Pandora. Typing this post while watching college football. It is a rare moment when I'm doing only one thing especially if it's something that can be done in silence. And so, in 2020, I will look for ways to incorporate single-tasking into my daily life in effort to be present and focused on those around me (and hopefully my spelling will improve).


For a refresher, you can read Chris Brogan's overview of how the three words works. 

My Three Words - 2019 Edition

2018 was a whirlwind with some of the most surreal, out of body experiences I have ever had. Perhaps the most indescribable year of my life so far. And my words for 2018 were spot on. For a refresher, you can read Chris Brogan's overview of how the three words works. 

Here are my words for 2019:

Peace

I will actively seek opportunities to experience peace. And not peace that I attempt to manufacture, but the peace that comes from my Creator. I want to experience peace with my whole being. That means I need to consistently acknowledge that peace is within my grasp and embrace it.

Pace

Part of experiencing peace for me is directly correlated to the pace of my life. 2018 taught me that I actually do go a mile a minute. Or did. But my circumstances in the past 9 months have shown me a new, slower, more valuable pace of life. A pace that creates space for deep friendships, hearing God speak, and sitting with the hard things of life. In 2019, I will intentionally live at a pace that creates space for the meaningful things of this life.

Practice

The things in life that bring the deepest joy and richest connection require practice. They do not happen by accident (usually). In 2019, I look forward to deepening new practices in tai chi, yoga, meditation and centering prayer as well as discovering new practices that draw me closer to my Creator, my family and my tribe.

As an enneagram 7, I love planning and looking forward to new things. But I'm looking forward to 2019 through a different lens that is the direct result of my journey in 2018. I hope that you're looking forward to 2019 as well!

My Three Words - 2018 Edition

It's stunning just how fast each year goes by and yet also how slowly. For a refresher, you can read Chris Brogan's overview of how the three words works and see what his words are for this year. When I first started the '3 words' thing, I used to take the whole month of December to let words rattle around in my brain until they felt right. Maybe it's age or the fact that this past holiday season has had it's share of change, but I've settled on three words which came quickly and stuck. So here they are:

Fix

Initially, this word settled on my because there are many things in my life that need work. But really, it's about fixing my eyes on the One who sustains me, cares for me and loves me at my most unlovable. And through that relationship, hopefully some things will be mended and I'll be anchored more firmly in myself - rather than the alternative (according to Websters) of finding myself in difficult predicaments or leaning on the next dose of whatever distracts me.

Reflect

I frequently note my need to slow down, make space and think more deeply. This word is that but it's also the idea of letting love and kindness and goodness show through me to others. Living less out of my need for self control and creature comforts. Living more into the world and offering it the good that is in me.

Ship (which is very similar to "finish" from last year)

I was struck by the phrase "deliver don't doubt" and know that many times I don't finish or ship work because I doubt its' value, my value. This year I will embrace the imperfect in myself, my work and my world because it can't be perfect anyway so why get my panties in a bunch? Besides, I don't know how someone will respond to my offering in whatever state of its' imperfection. Like these sentences which no doubt have poor grammar and improper punctuation, but hey my 3 words are out there in the world even if their story is less than perfect!

Bonus Word: Purple!

Because it's the color of the year. And that's reason enough to celebrate!

My Three Words - 2017 Edition

2017 welcomes yet another year picking 3 theme words for the year. This may be the longest I've done anything besides enjoying an occasionally regular Starbucks (okay go ahead and laugh now). For a refresher, you can read Chris Brogan's overview of how the three words works and see what his words are for this year.

And this year I followed a lot of links about goals, mindsets, habits and the like. I found some articles about naming intentions and noticed that my intentions connected to my 3 words - I wrote out intentions first. So here are my 3 words AND my 3 intentions.

Celebration

There are many things to be thankful for. Even in the hard things, if I look closely enough there are beautiful moments. In 2017, I will seek to celebrate things big and small. But especially the small every-day situations, conversations, sadnesses and luxuries in an effort to be present in the moment not worried about tomorrow or dwelling on yesterday.

I intend to live to live in gratitude for all that I have and all that I am, allowing joy an love to fill my heart and positive energy to fill my body.

Space

As in 'the final frontier'. Sort of. I do not allow for space in my life. It’s a bit how I’m wired and I’m comfortable with that. But it’s also a bit how I hide and I’m not so comfortable with that. I like to experience new things, travel different places, meet new people. In fact, if you read my enneagram I’m the type of person who is likely planning her next vacation while happily sitting on a cruise ship deck or touring the Sydney Opera House. And so not only does that make it difficult to say no to things, it means I actually seek out non-stop experiences. Space, therefore, seems like the final frontier. Somewhere I’ve not explored and honestly have been a bit afraid to. In 2017, I’ll proactively create space, silence, solitude and hold open the possibility that absolutely nothing might happen there. Or something might. Who knows.

I intend to see God at work around me, in me and through me so that my vision for my life and the world might expand.

Finish

You can tell by my house that I am a starter of things. Quilts. Laundry. Meals. And in my work. Projects. Organizational methods. To do lists. But you can also tell that finishing things is not a strong suit. And while I’m typically more interested in improving my skills and gifting rather that working on my weaknesses, this is one area that I universally feel compelled to address. I’m not trying to finish everything for that would be madness. But I do want to finish the important things. So this word is about listening for the important things and finishing them well. Even if that means delegation.

I intend to live into my Creator’s gifting to me, celebrating the good, pruning the harmful and being the most effective version of myself.

My Three Words - 2016 Edition

2016 welcomes yet another year picking 3 theme words for the year. This may be the longest I've done anything besides enjoying an occasionally regular Starbucks (okay go ahead and laugh now). For a refresher, you can read Chris Brogan's overview of how the three words works and see what his words are for this year.

In 2015, mine were Confidence, Intention and Temple. Here are mine for 2016.

Temple - In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul asks: 

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body."

So I'm just getting it out of the way first because I've held this word for what will now be three years, but it has not let go of me yet. It is going into 2016 that I have some disciplines in place to truly discover, reflect and understand this part of myself. Grateful for the journey with this word up until now and excited to see what 2016 looks like.

Present - To often I find myself wishing the present was passed so I could continue on with what I anticipate to be a brighter, more interesting future. Instead, I want to be present in the present. Mindful and intentional with this exact moment that I might experience it to the fullest and build it into my memory.

\

Joy - Anne Frank said, "I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains." Joy, like love, is a choice. In 2016, I choose joy.

And there you have it: temple, mindful and joy. Looking forward to 2016!

My Three Words - 2015 Edition

A group of wonderful young ladies I mentor took up a "one word" challenge this year and in a few short days I will get to hear the word they've picked for their year. In thinking about my one word, I decided I wasn't ready to pass up my fifth year in the "3 Words" world. Chris Brogan talks a lot about selecting three words with which to theme the year. So instead of one, I give you my three words for 2015.

Confidence - In Philippians 1, we hear:

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Over the years, I have absorbed words like "arrogant, unbending, over-powering" and others that have left me apologetic and quiet more times than I'd like to admit. Instead, I want to see God carry on His good work in me and develop a new, refined voice of confidence to speak the truth, build others up and press into difficult situations when they arise.

\

Intention - Webster has a few definitions for this word and two really spoke to me: (1) a determination to act a certain way and (2) process of healing incised wounds. I want to live each day with intention, moving decidedly from one God-ordained interaction to another both in flesh and in spirit. Reflection has also revealed some deep wounds, clean cuts inflicted by others and there is intentional work that needs to be done to further the healing.

My final word follows me from last year. I'm honestly not even sure what it looks like to grasp this word and so I feel strongly that it should be explored more deeply in 2015.

Temple - In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul asks: 

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body."

If I really believed that my physical body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, would I make different choices about what I put into it and how I use it? And so, this year I will learn more about this "body as a temple" directive and see where it leads me.

And there you have it: confidence, intention and temple. Looking forward to 2015!