Words. Fascinating, creative, enlightening, and powerful. 17 words that will never fail you.
As far back as I can remember, I have been enticed by the dictionary to understand better the deeper meaning of words and how the words we carry define us and can change us, how our thoughts and internal conversations shape our beliefs of ourselves and the world around us. Hope you find the 17 words that will never fail you as helpful as they were for me.
Years ago, when I was much younger, my sponsor/mentor, Marge, gave me a list of “17 Words that Will Never Fail You.” This list is not of her own making but a list developed that has spanned the world for years.
The 17 words below are building blocks of each other. Marge told me to become quiet and listen, for I could find my answers here.
17 Positive Words for the Year
- Prepare
- Care
- Believe
- Forgive
- Change
- Risk
- Listen
- Choose
- Relax
- Pray
- Persist
- Smile
- Focus
- Act
- Trust
- Accept
- Wait
The consecutive order of the 17 words can be a building block for creating a joyful and peaceful life.
Each of the 17 words has a new meaning the older I get. This is where the wisdom of age has settled into my life today.
Selecting one word as your focus or goal for the New Year is a common practice. However, nothing says that you can’t choose a word for a week, a month, or even a Quarter (i.e., 1st quarter, January, February, March. #2nd quarter, April, May, June. #3rd quarter, July, August, September. #4th quarter, October, November, December.) You can write it down, create art, or record the words of your intent. Review them, understand them, and how they might assist you and expand your life.
The goal? You do you. Find out what resonates and say yes. This is the year to take care of you. Please get to know you, what truly speaks to you, and embrace it.
I often select one word or statement to define my year. This year? I’m open to new concepts regarding how I want to move forward. The “words” I’ve chosen are like no previous words. 2024 is the year of “Glow Up.” What is glow-up? For me, glow-up expands on the beautiful aspects I’ve denied within or areas where I played small but desired to shine and grow. Creativity in all aspects of my life needs a “glow up.”
Over the years, I have ravaged my beliefs, dug deep, and questioned what I want this next chapter to be. I never forgot the class with Brené Brown; she wrote and talked about “The Midlife Unraveling” https://brenebrown.com/articles/2018/05/24/the-midlife-unraveling/. Online learning is at its best.
I had begun my unraveling and thought she was describing me. Each of our experiences is different, but our feelings are the same. I was unraveling my youth to transition to midlife. What a f**king ride it was.
This year is different because I am fundamentally different. Everything in my life has changed. I sometimes questioned and fought the changes, but I am now certain they were necessary. I am grateful for all that has transpired and excited for 2024. I feel open, creative, and willing to let go of any resistance that comes my way. I am flexible, resilient, and resourceful. 2024 is about being free to be me.
Words, statements, and stories are teachers. Through the awareness of my thoughts, I can create the chapters of my life by the deliberate choices I make in the present.
What words, statements, or stories resonate with you? Enter them in the comments section to assist each other on this midlife journey to joy. Share what is most pressing for you and what you want to read more about. Maybe a series of posts where each of the 17 words is explored in detail to provide more in-depth meaning?
Let me know what you would like to see and read. We can learn together.
I hope you will join me on this journey of creative self-discovery as I blog about the magic of words, thoughts, stories, art, and midlife.
Happy New Year!
Vicki