Well, the tree is down, and we've eaten our lucky black-eyed peas, let the new year commence!
It is with mixed feelings that I say farewell to 2018. It was an excellent year for my family. Oh, there are always hiccups and snags, but for the most part we were "healthy and wealthy and wise" as the saying goes, even if we weren't all "early to bed and early to rise." We took some splendid trips in 2018 that entertained, educated and enlightened us. We held each other and friends and family and hope and faith near to our hearts. Yes, for us, it was a good year.
However, for so many in this world, it was a difficult year. And for those who hurt and struggled and fought hard to survive and mourned those who did not make it to 2019, I am glad to close the door on 2018 with hope and faith that 2019 will usher in a new era of peace and compassion and mercy and justice.
Each year, for the past 6 or 7 years or so, I have tried to choose a word for the coming year…except I don't actually choose it, I let the word come to me and choose me. Sometimes it is very apparent and other years it takes days of listening and looking for my word to appear.
The other day, I read something someone had shared on Facebook. The blurb was actually about grief, but there was something that spoke to me in this passage that was beyond grief and really applied to everything in life. It stuck with me for days, and I realized this was my word. The word is "And." Yes, the tiny, simple, almost invisible, and completely necessary and useful "and."
And as in: I love my kids, AND I hate their bickering and whining.
And as in: I love coffee, AND I love tea.
And as in: I love my country, AND I abhor the current administration.
And as in: I love Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Brad Pitt, AND I love my husband.
And as in: I love the beauty of a Minnesota winter, AND I struggle with the dark and dreary days.
And as in: I enjoy going out to a movie or dinner or performance or see friends, AND I am completely happy to stay at home and read a book or watch a movie or cook in my kitchen.
Well, you get the idea.
With the word "and" I can often eliminate "but." "But" is a limiting word. It's a choose-one-side-or-the-other-kind of word. It's an isolating word.
"And" is an inclusive word. It doesn't make you choose. With this word, I can have it both ways. It allows for more shades of gray (in a good way). "And" is not a black and white word. "And" brings us together. "And" recognizes that things can be difficult/dark/stinky/murky and hopeful/happy/optimistic/clear.
So, I am embracing the possibilities of AND! It will take some practice to remember to insert "AND" instead of "BUT" and I'm up for the challenge! {see what I did there}
What's your word for 2019? Happy New Year! Over and out…
Anna
*Photo by the lovely AND fantastic AND fun erin and i photography! Check them out at Erinandiphotography.pixieset.com.
Love this unusual choice for your One Little Word! So apt!
My OLW is "tend". I need to tend to my relationships, my finances, my home, my body, my boundaries, my work...
Posted by: Chris | Wednesday, January 02, 2019 at 07:57 AM