Friday, January 29, 2016

#OneWord: REFLECT in 2016

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a wrap-up for my word of 2015.  I also took a quick peek back at my words from previous years.  For a quick wrap-up before diving into my word for 2016, here is the full list complete with links . . .


I did not have as difficult of a time this year trying to come up with my word for 2016.  I just have not had the time to sit down and write about it ... which ultimately has me wondering how well I am doing for the year!  Let's take a look at my word . . .


REFLECT.  This word actually has multiple definitions, and I really want to be working on three of these meanings.

Reflection, as in giving back or looking within a mirror.  

This one comes from a very personal side of my goals.  At the end of December, a loved one was diagnosed with dementia.  Since then, she has been living with me and I have been caring for her when I am not at work or tending to my children's activities.  I am not sure how long this will last until we can move her into a more long-term care facility, but I am trying to enjoy and soak up every moment I can with her.  It is proving to be difficult, but it also has its rewarding moments that come in the form of her telling stories from her past.  When she has these very lucid moments, I want to document them.  I want to tell her story because her story is ultimately my story.  I have been trying to write down these stories, but I have so much more that I need to do.  Some of it is in journal entries because I have been trying to get back into writing down my own thoughts on a regular basis.  I want to incorporate my words and her words into one.  

This may sound like a lot of rambling when I guess what I am trying to say is that I want to journal more and write my loved one's story.  I feel that my love and care and words can somehow give back.

To reflect, as in to ponder or think about.

My goal last year was to persevere through some pretty hard times, particularly in regards to my career.  I made quite a bit of headway on this goal last year, and now I believe it is time to move forward and truly ponder my new role in the field of education.  What can I do to become a better professional?  How can I incorporate my love of books into this professional goal?  The first year back into a field can be complicated and I feel like many days I am just flying by the seat of my pants.  I believe that I can become a better person and professional by reflecting on this past year, what I have done well and all that I need to improve upon or change for the better.

To reflect, as in to demonstrate.

The above goals really are my personal and professional goals.  This last one is really twofold and encompasses this blog for the year.  For many years, I have expressed how much I love to write.  I will be celebrating nine (9!) years of blogging this May.  I have spent a number of those years freelance writing in a variety of ways, and I have sworn to myself that I will someday finish a novel.  That novel has never reached completion and I have seen my writing as a whole decrease substantially in recent months.  I want that to change.  I want to see myself blogging regularly again about all things books (and more!) that I love.  And, I want to take that novel that I'm working on (or at least one of them!) and get it finished.  It is time for me to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk!

As I look over my one word and the three goals within it, I feel a bit overwhelmed.  I thought it would be easier than my word that I set for myself last year, but for some reason, REFLECT seems more loaded than PERSEVERE.  I'm going to take a deep breath ... many of them actually ... and I'm going to dive in.  Here I go . . . I'm diving in to REFLECT  in 2016!

Did you choose one word to live by in 2016?  Did you set specific goals?  Or, do you prefer to live by the seat of your pants throughout the year?

10 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear about your loved one and look forward to hearing her story and your story whenever you get to them.

    Nine years of blogging coming up. Congratulations in advance and a novel too? This should be a great year.

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    1. Bryan G. Robinson ... Thank you! Here's hoping that I can live up to my word! :)

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  2. I love this concept! I've never thought of choosing a word! Sometimes I'll have goals but it's usually "by the seat of my pants" haha. I really like the idea of having a word to tie in for a theme though! Great post!

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    1. Lori Bree ... Thank you so much, and thank you for stopping by!

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  3. Neat idea!! I'm trying to think of a word for the new year and I haven't come up with any. I just always take one day at a time :)

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    1. Johannah ... Right now, I am just taking it one day at a time. This one is a bit bigger than I originally thought it would be!

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  4. Ooooh, I hadn't even thought of reflecting like a mirror. I love your focus here and can't wait to see how you do with it.

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    1. Andi ... Thank you! I can't wait to see either!

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  5. I love this word. I can see it being a very powerful one for you and the goals you want to achieve this year.

    I am so sorry about your loved one. My father-in-law passed away last year due to complications related to a dementia disease. Seeing him after his diagnosis, especially since we did not see him that frequently, was always a double-edged sword. Cherish every good moment you can, and hang in there. After watching my mother-in-law devote every waking minute to her husband both before and after he went into the nursing home, caretakers are the unsung heroes.

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    1. Michelle ... Thank you! Maybe we need to chat one of these days. I could use all the advice I can get these days. The last few days have been a little rough.

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