Hello. Thank you all for joining in the 'Word for the year', some excellent ideas there. Inspiration for me to write this blog post, so here are a few comments on what comes to mind when I read them. They are all good ones, all chosen because they mean something special to you.
Hope. A great one to start off with. We all need hope, that things are going to turn out right, and that we don't encounter too many problems throughout the year. Hope brings us something to look forward to.
Positive. Keeping a positive state of mind does not come easily to everyone, there are ups and downs. Sometimes the negatives are overwhelming. I find it helps if I remember that time moves on, and every day is not the same. I have had negative thoughts in the past, everyone does at some point, but as I often say, you can't change what has already happened and a new day is always a fresh new start. I tell myself I will not let the negatives swallow me up, and I look for positives to replace them. When something goes wrong, I think it could have been much worse.
Calm. A good one. How to stay calm when all around you is madness? No one can say how they are going to react to a certain situation, you don't know until it happens. You can practice being calm by putting some distance between you and the madness. Walk away, find a quiet place, and breath deeply. Give yourself time to work things through.
Fragrant. Aaah, yes, smells, these can bring a sense of calm. I love freshly cut grass, the perfume from the lime tree at the end of the road, freshly percolated coffee, walking past a chippy, to name a few.
Kind. Yes, another good one, it doesn't take much effort to be kind. Thank you for suggesting Luke Cameron's Good Deed Diary. He is a very kind man and did a good deed every day of the year.
One reader chose a phrase, 'Have some more fun'. Well I totally agree with this one, you can never have too much fun. It's easy to find and needn't cost too much, there are lots of fun things to do which are free. I like to revert back to childhood and have silly fun. I let my ideas run free. Every time I come across friends with kids in the street, I always talk to the kids. I love to see babies smile and kids chuckle. They must think I am a little bit bonkers. Make life fun for others and you will have fun yourself.
Streamline. The reader suggests declutter, simplify, and lose weight. Three good ways to streamline your life. Other related words I can think of are, pruning, trimming, dumping, and ignoring.
Mortgage. Yep, you could have a year of attacking it with every spare penny you have. Knock it down and destroy it.
Natural. The reader is thinking of fibres, wood, stone, and authenticity. These all bring a sense of calm and bring you closer to nature.
Cheerful. I'm all for this. Nobody likes a misery guts, be brave, show the world you are a smiley person.
Light. The more light we can get on our bodies the better. I like to get outdoors as much as I can. I like natural lights in the sky from the stars, the sun and moon. I like to see someone's face light up with a big smile. I like the flickering lights from candles.
Listen. Even the howling wind is good to listen to, it's loud today. Don't you just love to hear sheep calling to each other, and the eerie sound of an owl. I like the whirring of a helicopter, and the chuff chuff of a steam train.
Peace. The reader talks of inner peace, calming down thoughts. Sometimes it is hard to switch off, I sometimes have difficulty. I try distraction, to keep busy, do something else. I sometimes find I have to make a conscious effort to block things from my mind. It usually works and I can move on.
Positive. Having something to look forward to is good for positive thoughts. The reader has some changes on the horizon and is excited. Good for you. I will keep positive for you. Positives are empowering, negatives are detrimental.
Cozy. as in a nice place to live, home, happy, warm, sanctuary. Can't argue with that.
Reduce reuse recycle. Yep, good for the planet, use up what you already have. Buy second hand, gratefully accept hand me downs, keep your purse closed.
Gratitude. One of my favourite words. Every day I am grateful that I am still here. Life is an amazing gift.
Smile. Yes, let's all smile. What's that song, Smile when heart is breaking, my goodness I've had lots of those. My heart has been smashed into smithereens, but here I am, fully recovered, and smiling.
Determination. Love that one. If someone tells me I can't do something, my response is, I'll show you who can't. Come back later when I've done it. If you really want to do something you will do it.
What a great selection of words, thank you all for sharing. If anyone hasn't yet chosen one, why not pick one off the list.
And my colour for today is ...........
There are tons of berries still up there.
Dog poo bin. All these trees will be pollarded.
That's all for now, going to do a bit of sewing while I watch catch up. Have a nice weekend.
Toodle pip
You decide
4 hours ago
Some great responses to the words provided, Ilona. Fragrant: bacon frying, rosemary, herb tea. I love seeing that you love to visit with children. They are so cute with the things they have to say, like little grown-ups.
ReplyDeleteHi, Love these last two posts, having given a bit of thought to it I think my words for this coming
ReplyDeleteyear will be, gratitude, never ever stop giving thanks for all the good things in my life, yes colour too , I love the colours of nature and the colours of fabrics and yarns. Above all I think be happy
will be important to me. A lot of sadness has touched my life but this year I mean to stay happy
Reading your blog certainly helps with that. keep it up. I am quite sure I am not the only one
that you inspire, thankyou x
Jane
I think Cozy will be my goal for 2015.
ReplyDeleteMy word this year is content. I am determined to be content with what i have not worry about what i don't. Laura blackpool
ReplyDeleteWonderful uplifting post, thank you! My word is going to be healing, mind, body and spirit :) Love Barbara, South Shields x
ReplyDeleteWhat fabulous words everyone has chosen..taken all together they are even more wonderful..imagine taking every word to heart!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Live. That's my word. Live, love and laugh. Can I have three? Sending love to you for 2015. Xxx
ReplyDeleteEveryone has come up with wonderful words. My word is "smile" and today there was a new woman at the library checkout desk who was very "smiley," a real burst of sunshine. I made it a point to smile more myself. One thing I love about your future Queen, Kate, is that she has such a beautiful, easy smile.
ReplyDeleteHi Ilona, my word is HARMONY - I seek this for my family, my relationship with others, for my life in general...and for the colours and decor in my soon tonbe new home, something I have dreamed of for many years......great idea, thanks for the inspiration & enjoy a daily read of your blog !
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for 2015.
Mabel from West Australia :)
Some fabulous words there. If everyone picked just one word from the list the world would be a much nicer place.
ReplyDeleteCarolx
So beautiful words your friends have come up with and what a great idea is this of ypours!
ReplyDeleteMy word would be first of all 'Health'. Without it there's nothing a person can do.
Then I would say 'optimism' , a positive outlook. Expect and hope for the best. An attitude of a glass of water as half full.
Then comes 'action' to make your dreams come true.
And finally 'flowers'. I love growing them, looking at them, smelling them.
Well,too much prattle here. Time to stop.
Thank you .You are an inspiration.
"Make life fun for others and you will have fun yourself."
ReplyDeleteThank you for that, it's absolutely spot on. Too easily forgotten!
My word for this year is "Freedom" - it's a big word, and not at all a comfortable one, but not all oppressions happen on a national or international scale...
My word is THRIVE ...with my feet firmly planted!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to come up with a word. I like so many, and I want to be careful, because I'd like to be careful what I wish for. One year I chose the Serenity Prayer as my theme; it turned out to be one of the most difficult years we ever had... um... probably regarding "the wisdom to know the difference", or maybe just learning to accept the things I could not change? The ideas of FUN and THRIVE appeal to me. They kind of go hand in hand. If you're having more fun in your daily life, and you're making life fun for others (love that!), how can you not thrive? :-)
ReplyDeleteWe should all aim to have fun everyday. Laughter is very good medicine for most things - it's how I cope with the downs as well as the ups. When I have had bouts of anxiety DH has bought me tickets for a comedy stand up (cheaper than therapy). I feel great for days afterwards! Your blog makes me laugh sometimes, in the nicest possible way! Have a great weekend. Debbie
ReplyDeleteI have just learnt a new word,, 'pollarded'. Thank goodness for 'google'!
ReplyDeleteSuch an awesome post! I read the word 'Focus' in the previous comments and have chosen this word for 2015. I find when I am focused, I am living in the moment and enjoying that moment only. And I love that feeling.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago, I read or heard the term "CPR" used in a way that has stuck with me when dealing with a crisis. CPR meaning calm, peace, relax. Repeat it and it sticks with you. :)
What a lovely post. I shall keep reading it and shall think of all the words. I also find the above comments interesting and positive. I agree with one of the comments above that laughter is important - it is health-giving. Natalie
ReplyDeleteI like this list, and fragrant kind of catches my fancy. I like to add garden plants with delicious scents, and that could inspire me to add more to my garden.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! I think my words will be Remake/Reuse/Recycle as that is what I prefer to do, as you have already seen with the kitchen, Jo
ReplyDelete