My Theme Word

In January, for the past few years, I have chosen a word to be my “theme” for the year. The word is a virtue or a positive character trait that I would like to cultivate in myself. It is a part of myself I want to grow, or it’s something I want to create more of in my life.

I take this seriously, but light-heartedly. I make it a task, but still have fun while  seeking for the best-suited word for me. It can take me a few days to settle on one word.

I do not choose the word at random.

I don’t choose the word that would be “easy” or that I feel that I already have in my life. And I don’t choose the word that someone told me I “should” have for that year simply because they told me to.

I choose my word for the year based on 2 questions:

1. What one character trait, if significantly increased, would make the biggest positive change in my life, my relationships with others, and/or my relationship with myself?
2. How does the word make me feel inside? Does it make me feel warm? Cold? Closed? Open? Does it make me pull away or lean in? (Sometimes the word I choose may make me pull away…but I still may choose it…because if I’m absolutely honest with myself, I am pulling away either because I’m scared of the possibility of greatness or it’s because I’m ashamed that I don’t have more of that trait already.)

Sometimes, I don’t have to actively seek out the word, but instead the word sort of rises up from within me or it just hits me while I’m going about my day.

This year, it took me several days to rest on one word. I went back and forth between faith and gratitude.

I have chosen gratitude. I feel gratitude “calls to me” more than faith for this year. I also feel that my gratitude will increase my faith.

I want to be grateful for everything in my life. For the all the “good” and for all the “bad”. For all that I have, and for all that I don’t have. For the times of ease so I can rest, and for the times of challenge so that I may grow. I want to start everyday with gratitude in my heart and I want to go to bed everyday with gratitude in my heart.

Imagining my life this year, I’m excited with who I’m becoming.

Are you excited with who you’re becoming this year? You can be.

What word do you choose this year? What character trait, if cultivated, would make the biggest positive change in your life?

The following list is not exhaustive, but you can use it to start you off.

Humility

Grace

Peace

Calm

Hope

Faith

Gratitude

Joy

Light-heartedness

Playfulness

Honesty

Self-love

Confidence

Compassion

Vulnerability

Strength

Charity

Love

Acceptance

Boldness

Forgiveness

Courage

Here’s to conquering stress.

With heart,

The Stress Experts