Evolving Through A Word of the Year

Over the weekend, I made time to work on my Word of the Year album and I enjoyed it more than I thought. I have such high expectations for this year. I am more focused than I have ever been, I realize that happiness comes from inside me and I KNOW I am moving forward into my destiny. Making time to do this allowed me to dive deeper into the goals I am developing for myself this year. You see, selecting a word to act as a theme for my year is something I have been doing since 2007. Here is a list of the words I chose over the years:

HAPPY (2007) - I simply did not believe I had enough of this in my life. All I wanted was to sustain the feeling and sensations of happy. In some areas of my life, I did. In others, I fell short, but I always had my hope. I also learned that happiness is not external and it is no one’s responsibility to make you happy.

CREATE (2008) - I was absorbed in producing all kinds of creative things. Photography became a big part of my life and still is today. I won multiple photography contests, I had a popular blog and my artwork was being published in magazines. My first speaking opportunity came by way of BlogHer and this changed what I believed was possible for me. I am forever grateful for them giving me a chance to share my voice.

BOLDNESS (2009) - As I gained success in public speaking and photography and having some of my graphic designs sold in scrapbooing stores, my confidence was at an all-time high. At the same time, my marriage started going through major changes which would soon change the course of my life. I was finally stepping into who I was meant to be. BOLDNESS was a hard word for me. It challenged me to defy the status quo and trust God in a way I had not before. It scared me and thrilled me at the same time.

ENDURE (2010) - This was the year I knew my marriage would be no more and I started down the path of divorce. Everything about my life changed. I lost my job, I found a new place for my children and I to live and I lost 30lbs. in two months. All I could do was lean on God and endure. Thinking back on this word, I am reminded of Salt Lake City and the EVO conference. I met women at this conference who have become dear friends, soul sisters, people who know me better than anyone else. They helped me endure.

RECEIVE (2011) - I remember this year being a constant roller coaster of ups and downs. I also knew I needed to start taking better care of myself if I wanted to be a good mother for my children. I admit my heart was still broken, but I was on the mend. I knew healing had to be a priority if I was going to be open to RECEIVE the blessings meant for me. If I never knew I was a strong woman, I knew it this year.

ABUNDANCE (2012) - I created a vision board to put this word in front of me daily. I was quite simply tired of struggling in a variety of areas of my life. I wanted more. I started Salsa dancing and loved it. I met people who completely changed the way I think about my self…in a good way. While I may not have seen everything I wanted manifest in my life in 2012, I was planting seeds for some big things to happen.

RESTORATION (2013) - My desire for restoration showed up in my life in a most unexpected way: the purging of friendships and relationships that did not serve any positive purpose in my life. I did not see then, but I do now, that those people had to go so I could receive new, supportive people in my life who are for me. I also learned when you are empty, you are open to receive true restoration. New connections, friends and business opportunities came my way and I embraced them fully.

And, this brings us to my current word, SENSATIONAL. I am kicking all kinds of ass in the coming year. I know what I want in my life, I know who I want in my life and I am not settling for less. My mind is made up!

Question: If you have selected a word or theme for the year, why did you pick that particular word?