It is (beyond) time for the One Word of the year. I have been doing this since 2013 and make a GIGANTIC deal out of my word as I know I want it to be valid for the year – come what may.
2017 word was SHINE and as you can see by last years post, it fell into my lap in a remarkable way and when I had the word – I knew it was the word. SHINE has served me amazingly well, and really stuck with me through the year as I continued to find a way to move forward with the tragedy that hit my family in 2015. Many people sent SHINE things through the year which make me smile to even think about it. What an amazing support team I have! ♥
This year, words were suggested that were great ideas – but didn’t quite fit what I thought would be what I needed for where I am in this world. It wasn’t until this morning as I thought about the new things I would be doing in 2018, the physical challenges I had signed up for including my first half marathon (yeah… I said first) and my first 7 days bike ride across Iowa and then I knew…
EXPERIENCE
Definition: An experience is something that you do or that happens to you, especially something important that affects you.
For me, I look at this new year as an opportunity to experience new things. To taste, to travel, to feel, to push myself, to EXPERIENCE whatever life has to offer. If there is one thing I know for sure, it is that life is short and it is precious. None of us know if there is a tomorrow (or what tomorrow will bring). We need to live well and to the fullest today. Every day is an opportunity to experience something new – to choose to move out of our comfort zone and BE and DO.
I am well aware that my own life circumstances have brought me to this opinion on how we (I) should live. Your life circumstances may be completely different as well as your choices of what to do with your time on this earth.
I ask again, for the 4th year on this site, please consider doing One Word with me. Here is a site with a list of words to start you thinking. When you choose your word – say it out loud to everyone. Own it. The more you place it in your life, the better it will stick and become truly your motivational inspirational direction of the year.
I recently wrote an article in the local Her Voice magazine about One Word. They are now taking submissions of people telling them the word they have chosen for 2018 and they will post them in the February printing of the magazine. Here is a link to that Facebook post if you would like to be part of the article.
Feel free to submit your own word below. I would love to cheer you on!
Book Journey 
Shine is a great word! Go You! Happy New Year Sheila! 🙂
Shine was a great word for 2017. Thank you Kathy
I love the context for your word, Experience.🙂 My word for 2018 is Legacy!
Great word Josiah!
For some reason, I’m unable to submit the form. So here’s my response to the question: “Why did you choose your word and what do you hope your word will bring in 2018?”
When I consider “legacy,” I think about kindling within my children’s minds a desire to experience enduring spiritual aliveness, relational fulfillment, financial freedom, and adventure.
Thanks Josiah, I will look at the form. I used last years and updated. Maybe I missed something 🙂
Last year’s Word was *simplify*, and that was BEFORE we found out a move and a 50% cull was in our future.:)
This year is LIGHT. “The light of the body is the eye. Therefore, if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light“ Matthew 6:22 (Modern English Version)
Good word Andrea.
My word for 2018 is Surrender. I had another world picked out but then saw this word and knew this was it.
A powerful word Gracie.
Hope
Beautiful word!
I love that you were ahead of the game in choosing a word for the year. I just began doing it in 2017 with the word focus since I was feeling pretty scattered a year ago. This year my word is persevere as I am going to push myself a bit in 2018.
Good choice Helen. That was a runner up word for me last year 🙂
I got a new super-soft oh-so comfy hoodie for Christmas and it says “In a world where you can be anything . . . Be kind”!! This will be my new go-to hoodie as well as my mantra for 2018. So I’m thinking KIND is my word for the year!
Kind is a wonderful word and one I tossed around as well. 🙂
Perfect word for you.
Thank you Kathy. 2018 is going to be a year of new experiences (according to what I have on my calendar already). I do look forward to that. 🙂
I was just thinking about the One Word…and here you are, writing about yours. Thanks! For 2017, I had HOPE. Now I want to CONNECT more in 2018.
Connect. I really like that!
Experience will work well for you, Sheila.
HUGS, and Happy New Year!!
Perfect choice for you, Sheila. Thanks for doing this each year. 🙂
The word starts my year off right for some reason. I like to implement it right away and I will be this year by running a 10K on January 1st. Its cold in Minnesota. That will be an Experience. 🙂
Experience is a great word. Best wishes this year Sheila. My word is Joy!
Beautiful word Pat!
That is a good word. My word for this past year was Discover. I’m not sure I will do a One Word this year, I seem to spend a lot of time on finding he word but not a lot of time focusing on it throughout the year.
Understood. Usually one speaks to me or I see what I have coming up in the new year and a word sort of emerges 🙂
I think this would have been impossible to do without a Word of the Year generator. http://www.wordoftheyear.me/
I recommend using it just for this. Check out my one word here and leave a comment? https://jackiesforgetmenots.me/2017/12/30/my-one-word-for-2018/
I had not heard of the word of the year generator. Interesting.
Hi Sheila, thanks. I just found out about it.
I absolutely love this tradition Sheila! While I am making goals for this new year, I’ve created them with my one word – Cultivate – in mind.
Cultivate. I love that Amanda!
My word for 2018 – Rejuvenate
I like it!
You are going to do RAGBRAI???? That’s awesome! It’s such an amazing week. I’ve never done it but it has gone through our small town of 700 and was so much fun. My sister-in-law and her husband ride it every year. I’m hoping the route goes near us this year! I love your word! I think I have mine, but I want to sit on it a couple more days to be sure. You inspire me for how you have overcome your deep grief. It never leaves, but you have chosen to live and it inspires me. Happy New Year Sheila!
LOL yes I am doing it 😉 Crazy but exciting. Thank you Stacy for your kind words. I carry that grief with me every day, I have just learned to function with it by my side. I do each day for my son. He was such a go getter and now I look at how he lived and find inspiration to do the same.
I too have been doing the One Word for many years. I would be happy to share my word with you, it’s peace for 2018
It has taken me a long time to get to here – but my word took an unexpected direction
http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/my-bookish-journey-with-grace.html