December29
Jen Lee’s post about choosing a word of the year really spoke to me. I’ve never been much on New Year’s resolutions… seemed too much like a list of stuff someone says I SHOULD want to do instead of heartfelt change that I believe occurs naturally, when you’re ready for it.
A word for the year, however, is more like meditation. It’s a way to remind yourself of your core value, the heart of what you are trying to accomplish for your self and your life that year. I see it as a tool for clarity and focus.
So, I’ve spent the last two weeks trying to narrow down my word for 2010. For a while, I was torn between “focus” and “explore.” I think that’s because I was still in that “New Year’s resolution” mindset, the one where you choose a goal based on what you think needs improving in yourself and your life. That’s a path that has never worked for me–I’m not really sold on the idea that it works for anyone, but I KNOW if doesn’t work for me.
Anyway, I realized that those words didn’t really resonate with me. I didn’t want to spend my year thinking about how I needed to change– Heck, the biggest epiphany I’ve had in the last couple of years is that “I’m NOT broken” and I don’t want to move back into that mindset. Instead, I want to use this tool as a way to bring more of something I love into my life… more friendship, more love, more fun, more happiness, more passion, more enthusiasm… And that thought led me to my word:
Pleasure
I love every aspect of dictionary.com definition of the word “Pleasure”:
–noun
| 1. |
the state or feeling of being pleased. |
| 2. |
enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one’s liking; gratification; delight. |
| 3. |
worldly or frivolous enjoyment: the pursuit of pleasure. |
| 4. |
recreation or amusement; diversion; enjoyment: Are you traveling on business or for pleasure? |
| 5. |
sensual gratification. |
| 6. |
a cause or source of enjoyment or delight: It was a pleasure to see you. |
| 7. |
pleasurable quality: the pleasure of his company. |
| 8. |
one’s will, desire, or choice: to make known one’s pleasure. |
–verb (used with object)
| 9. |
to give pleasure to; gratify; please. |
–verb (used without object)
| 10. |
to take pleasure; delight: I pleasure in your company. |
| 11. |
to seek pleasure, as by taking a holiday. |
Just hearing the word pleasure– and it’s synonym, “DELIGHT”–makes me smile. I want very much to take pleasure in my life and the blessings that surround me. I want to really notice and delight in all the things, large and small, that I have to feel grateful about… and to add pleasure and delight to the lives of those around me.
So what about you? What’s do you want more of in 2010?