A Tale of a Few Words...

We are almost to the end of 2013 and I have to say I am not completely sorry to see it go. It hasn’t been the worst of year, but it has not been the best of years either. There have been things to celebrate, but also things to forget or tuck away to dissect at another time.

Not as epic as Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities-
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way. . ."

But at times I could feel as muddled as the quote relates. Not only in my personal life but in school, writing and learning. When I look back of course these ups and downs were apparent to only me, and maybe of only my doing. As I’ve often written before I seem to be in search of something…more…or maybe less. I’m not sure.

So now that the year is at last near its end I am looking into the horizon of the new. New Year, new experiences, new thoughts, plans, hopes, dreams, and of course like many of you a new “word.” My One Little Word that will hold me and guide me throughout our new year.

I have tried out many. As usual I want it to be just right. I always seem to put a lot of importance on my word. So much so that it almost seems it should be known as One BIG Word. THE word. A word to keep in my head, hold in my head, and live in my heart. So much to ask of one little word.

Like so many women I have a multitude of items I juggle day in and day out. It was these I thought of when I tried out my words. The first one that came to me was “Build.” I thought of building new relationships, building a new learning community, a new writing area, and maybe build just something new. But it just didn’t feel right.

So then I tried out “Mindfulness.” I want to be mindful of my life, home, job, growth. I just want to be more mindful. But it just didn’t fit.

I needed Drive. Drive to exercise consistently. Drive to get things done, and follow through. Drive to find new roads and discover new ways. I needed drive to find my word. But I was getting nowhere, because even Drive didn’t feel familiar.    

I tried out choices, discover, insistent, strive, purposeful, and serendipity (which is really fun to say), and yet none of them seemed like a good fit for all areas of my life.

And then it hit me. What I have been looking for. What maybe I have been searching for this past year is what I want to start my year with this year Balance.

Balance in all areas. School, work, home, mind, play, family, pleasure, experiences, purpose, building, writing, blog, creating, exercise and diet, choices, drive, and yes serendipity.  

So my One Little Big Word for 2014 is Balance. What is yours? 

Join up with Sunny Days in Second Grade to tell us the truth

about your OLW!