Saturday, December 31, 2011

My one little word... 2012

How do you follow up your 2011 word when you chose "alive," and then were challenged with all kinds of ways to be alive?  The truth is, I could have chosen any other word, like joy, or hope, or praise, and I would still have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  All of those words were a part of my life, even though they weren't my chosen word- they just helped create that sense of what I was looking for- feeling how alive I am.  So picking one word, just helps us focus our attention.  Its like picking up a lens that helps us sharpen the image, and capture a snapshot of life through the filter of our word.  Then watch as your word shows up in your life, draws you in, chases you down, and opens you up and leaves you changed.

To read more about the idea of picking one little word for a year, read here at Ali Edwards.

My word this year, practically hit me over the head.  It was a rather "dark" day of brooding and reflecting and wanting to climb out of it.  But how?  With so many unknowns suddenly swirling about, and no known answers, how does your heart settle?  How do you anchor yourself in the midst of turbulence?  On that day my daily devotion gave me a seed of an idea.

"God gives us his light in an instant, allowing us to know all that we need to know.  No more is given to us than is necessary in his plan to lead us to perfection."  Saint Catherine of Genoa


She goes on to say: When we're lost or confused, we want to know now- right now- how to find our way toward understanding.  No one likes that feeling of helpless floundering about, especially in dark places!


God freely gives us the understanding we crave... but with just enough light to take the next step.  Just enough light...


Later that same day, I was reading Anne Lamott's book "Bird by Bird," when the same message was driven home in another way.  In her chapter on short assignments she provides these thoughts from E. L. Doctorow who once said "writing a novel is like driving a car at night.  You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."  Ann goes on to say..."you don't have to see where you're going, you don't have to see your destination, or everything you will pass along the way.  You just have to see two or three feet ahead of you.  This is right up there with the best advice about writing, or life, I have ever heard."

I hear the message again.... just enough light to see a few feet ahead.


I go to look up the definition of the word light and see 15 different ways in which the word can be used-

a- something that makes vision possible
b- a source of light, i.e. a candle
c-spiritual illumination, i.e. inner light or enlightenment
d- a medium (such as a window) through which light is admitted... etc.  The list goes on...

 My word found me.







This is where I want my lens to be... simply so that when I walk through the valley of darkness, my eyes are trained to see and feel and experience all things "light."  

Happy New Year! 


Have you chosen a word for 2012?  Will you share with in the comments what it is?  

20 comments:

  1. I wish for you in 2012 that Gods grace and mercy LIGHT up your life like a roman candle!!!!!! XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Light is a good word
    I wish you to walk in the light.
    Happy New Year Vicky to you and your family:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's interesting to see the different words people choose and the process involved in the choosing. Maybe next year I'll give it a try, too. In the meantime, I hope your New Year will be filled with light and strength. Thank you for the blessing that you are.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy, Healthy, Joy and LIGHT filled 2012 to you and your family, Vicky!

    Are you ready for a new look? If so, tell me your vision.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My word hit me over the head too after I, in passing, wondered what my word would be. Almost instantly the word PEACE came to mind. That this should be my word has been confirmed in a few ways, but most recently yesterday when I read the last devo in Jesus Calling:

    "As this year draws to a close, receive My Peace. This is still your deepest need, and I, your Prince of Peace, long to pour Myself into your neediness.". Ok. I think that's clear enough!

    I think LIGHT is an excellent choice! Can't wait to hear more about how He speaks to you through it. Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great post for the end of the year Vicky.

    I haven't chosen a word for 2012, but maybe I can post that word tomorrow.

    Thank you Vicky for all your kind thoughts regarding my mother's surgery. I really appreciate all my blogger friends. Happy New Year's!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Vicky, I love it. That is perfect.

    I'm still trying to think of my word for 2012. I have chosen words for the last two years.

    Haven't even come up with a word candidate yet.

    I love yours.

    ReplyDelete
  9. vicky.....LIGHT is an amazing word and i know you will wear it well this new year....

    the definitions of that word are truly amazing....here's to you and all the light 2012 will bring you !!

    xox

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your post Vicky...
    My One Word is Righteousness. In all things I do in 2012 and beyond I want to lead a life that is pleasing to God. My word came to me when I thought of my journey over the past three years. My word is incorporated in the title of my first instructional book of devotion. I have been sown to reap righteousness.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Vicky, first off, love love love your new header. Second, I appreciate that you said your word chooses you. Mary, who introduced me to the "one word" theme last year, just said the same thing on her blog. I have my word, but I haven't posted it yet so you'll have to wait until Wednesday. Meantime, wishing you a light-filled 2012! (You're right; our posts coincided!)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the picture of the child and his dog on the ice. So many memories.

    Light is a wonderful word for 2012. My word for 2012 is, Sow.

    Ever since I decided on that word, I've seen references to it in several places. For instance you said "On that day my devotional gave me a seed of an idea."

    I need to sow some seed. And need to nurture some that I've already sown.

    The God of Light will not disappoint you in 2012.

    ReplyDelete
  13. You have inspired me to have a word. It just came to me while reading your post. My word is Rise. It is a word that defines where I am spiritually right now and I hope I will be inspired to live up to its definition. Happy New Year Vicky and family!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Light, is the perfect fit and I sense it will guide you through those moments of darkness, making then easier to go through.

    I have chosen Simplify for my word, as I want to learn to be more focused in my life and in my creative work.

    Blessings to you Vicky and healing thoughts sent from the bottom of my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Vicky....I love to read your writing(s). You are a wise lady....one I admire a great deal.
    As you have chosen your word for 2012, I think that it fits perfectly. I also think that no matter what word you would have chosen, you would wear it well.
    Love you, my friend....
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  16. My word: Just Dance
    I know it's two words, but heard it from Rumi scholar, Coleman Barks at showing of movie I AM, and it hasn't left me since. Look at life and just dance. Of course my other two words: Steeler Nation!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Vicky,

    LIGHT is a wonderfull word for you and at the moment I read your post, I have for me the word "Vertrauen" in english "confidence".

    The synonyms say all what I wish and hope for this year.

    Thanks so much for this lovely idea ... and I hope you will walk all days of this year in warm "LIGHT".

    Bussal
    Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  18. Simplify. That is going to be my word for 2012! Seriously, you have had me thinking about this for a week.

    ReplyDelete
  19. You are so inspiring Vicky! I love your word choice: it's perfect for you!

    Let me think...a word choice for me...hmmm...let's go with SOAR!

    Remember that song: Ain't no mountain high enough

    Let's keep soaring over it all Vicky :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Vicky, you'll laugh, but I wonder if I should go with another word. Look at me changing my mind in a minute. What about "DISCOVER". That works for us too. I know, I'm crazy lol

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete

I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

When you get lucky

When you get lucky

Popular Posts

Minnesota.com

Minnesota.com - MN Weather, Map, Businesses and Blogs
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape