Friday's Finding - My Word of 2023

I struggled as 2022 came to a close with choosing my word of the year. I haven't always had a word of the year.  But the past two years it seemed to be the thing to do and the words came so easily to me. Words like "Hope" and "Joy" with accompanying stones found at the Christmas Tree Shop made sense.

But as I headed into 2023, I had a tough time finding a word. The thing with the word of the year, at least for me, is that I want to feel like I can live into that word. Maybe not every waking moment of every day of the year. But it should at least be a guide of some sorts to me and an encouragement to try to find those things, even in my darkest moments.

Dayspring had a Word of the Year quiz and going through it, the word it gave me was "Rooted." But that word just didn't resonate with me. I thought maybe I should repeat a word, because I really resonated with both Hope and Joy. But that almost felt like cheating.

Instead I went into 2023 without a word of the year. I didn't feel bad about it. It just was the way things seemed to go.

Until I looked at the things on my desk at work. I have a few desk sayings given to me by various people over the past few years. I have pictures of family (blood and not) hanging on a bulletin-type board. I have a picture my niece drew for me. I have a few small gifts from people. And a rock from a Health Benefits day several years ago. On the rock it says "Breathe." 

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Or rocks. There it was. My word for 2023.

BREATHE.

Breathing is such a part of life that you don't often think about it. But, during our Contemplative worship service Sunday mornings, we are often encouraged in different ways to breathe in deeply. Or we do breath prayers. When I go for walks at Long Dock Park, I often breathe in the river air. It is a familiar smell, but one I miss when I go too long between visits. And, sometimes I get myself so wound up about things or singing or people or feelings or whatever that I need to remind myself to breathe.

Breathe is a word I definitely feel a connection to. One I do feel I can live into during 2023. And so, there it is.

BREATHE.

Reminding myself to breathe 12/31/2022 - whether I knew it or not