Well it took me until the last minute to decide what my one word for 2014 was going to be. I don’t make resolutions, I just set an overall goal for the year to come. The One-Word challenge fits right into that, setting the tone for what I want to focus on. I’ve been doing it for a few years now. Last year, my word was “priorities” and I did pretty well with it – cutting back on some responsibilities that were cutting into my family time, and cutting back spending on things we really didn’t need. The heart of the challenge is to choose a word that you can apply to all areas of your life to make the changes or improvements you want and need.
So after a bit of thought, I have a word just jumping out at me. In fact, it’s the very first word I thought of this year, but it seemed too narrow at first.
Yes, art. Let me explain.
I have never considered myself particularly artistic. Mainly because I cannot sit down with a brush or a pencil and create something out of nothing. But art goes so far beyond that. Art is creative and individual. It’s personal. It’s passionate. And everything in my life could use more personal attention and passion.
The obvious application is in the things I share here every day. “Art” is sharing inspired projects with you. I write here because I love it, not to keep up a certain schedule, to create a minimum number of things each week, or to chase what’s popular. Of course I love it if you make my blog one of your regular reads! But I don’t write because I think you’re expecting me to, and I’m not going to fill empty days with contributors. I’m not a mega-blog – when you come here, you get me! This hasn’t changed from my current philosophy – all it does is remind me that I’m in it for the art, and how lucky I am to have this outlet.
But here is where my life could use more “art”. In parenting and marriage, there are things I take for granted, or that I try to do “by the book”. Well, forget the book. I am one of a kind. My husband and my kids are also one of a kind. With four of us all smushed into a family, we have a dynamic not quite like any other family (look at your own family, you’ll see what I mean). When it comes to helping your family members feel loved and appreciated, and encouraging them to grow and be confident – it’s not one size fits all.
My family deserves a mom and wife who will take an individual and passionate approach. I need to put the energy into them that any artist puts into their work. I need to care and feel and take action. I’m not talking about all love and no discipline – everyone still needs a healthy dose of routine and rules, obviously! But in these early years, my kids are being molded into who they’re going to grow up to be. I can put as much or as little effort into helping their little personalities take shape… and any good artist will take that medium in their hands, consider the strengths and weaknesses, and work with it. Stone is stone, clay is clay – I am not going to change anyone. But there are specific approaches and techniques that work to bring out the beauty in each one-of-a-kind work of art.
Okay so that all got a little deep, but I’m really getting excited about the possibilities this year by focusing on taking an artist’s approach, and being true to my vision.
What about you? Have you picked one word for 2014, or are you considering it?
This move will be detrimental to white hat SEO and many web analytics efforts. This seems like an inconsistent application of so-called privacy concerns (if you pay Google then you can still get the data! What's up with that?). As others have commented, one of my first thoughts was to wonder if Google is using this move to better position the use of their Webmaster Tools. Regardless, this move by Google seems like a big mistake and I hope they back track soon.
“I am nothing. I don’t even have a name.” – good point. Too much talks about high IQ and science. I don’t think that all will help us. Freud believed that self-loathing is just the other side of self-greatness. So, long live the unknown blogger!
Witaj Wiktorio w Marzycielskiej Poczcie Ja chodzÄ™ do 1 „d” i bardzo lubiÄ™ sie uczyć i lubiÄ™ moje panie,które do mnie przychodzÄ… na lekcjÄ™ DziekujÄ™ za życzenia:Dominika Pozdrawiam
Thanks for cotugibntinr. It’s helped me understand the issues.
“Art” is a great word for 2014! You’ve got me thinking about what my word will be! Thanks for the inspiration!
Breathe. And all that it implies. Because, frankly, I forget to, far too often, in my headlong rush to get everything accomplished. When you stop to breathe, you tend to have a look around you, and to take stock…this is something that needs work, in my life.
My word of the year is JOY and I am looking forward to how it unfolds in my life. Happy New Year.
Appreciate. This year my goal is to often show my husband, friends and family just how much I appreciate them. I am going to send cards/notes to let them know I’m thinking of them and thankful for them, mail random little handmade gifts (I’ll be watching for mail-able happy hour projects), remember to call people on their birthdays, and help them out where I can. Thank you for all your fun posts – wishing you a great Art year!
My word is perseverance. I don’t want to get part way through a project or goal and quit because life happens. I’m going to keep going!!
My word for this year is “delight”. I want to delight in life. I want to enjoy myself and my family and my job and my life. I’ve been so wrapped up in getting things done that I’ve forgotten why I’m doing them or who I’m doing them for. I want to remind myself to take the time to enjoy what’s going on.
One word: change. It’s a long time comin”!!
Oooh, I love it. I love your definition of art and agree wholeheartedly that art is not just what we typically think of (paintings, drawings, sculptures) but is found in everybody in every part of life. Great word. Mine for this year is purpose so I remember to listen to my soul. What is my big purpose? What is my unique gift(s)? I can feel it in my bones that this is going to be an amazing year. Here’s to art and purpose. :)