Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
One study reports 40 – 45 % of the about 100 million Americans who make resolutions fail to keep their resolutions within six months.
But there’s a new trend that’s gaining momentum. I call it One Word for the New Year (OWNY). I came upon this idea last year and heartily embraced it. (I even blogged about it here.) Instead of a lofty laundry list of what I hope to accomplish, change, improve within the next year, I prayed and thought about One Word that could guide me.
My One Word was Now.
I felt like I had a season of putting dreams off. And I was struggling with being in the moment; so I was convicted that I should Be Here Now. I also sought a scripture that would go with my One Word and this is what I found:
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
While my Now journey hasn’t been perfect, I look back satisfied that One Word helped keep me more in the moment. And this word was applicable to a number of things I wanted to be mindful of…
* Now is the time to eat a healthy food instead of a cookie.
* Pray Now.
* Now is the time to get your exercise.
* It’s time to write Now.
* Pay attention Now to that little prompting to call, write, text a friend.
* Now is the time to launch your website. (This is the NOW I’m most excited about…Please check it out and subscribe today at www.CirclesOfFaith.org.)
And NOW is the time to seek out my One Word for the New Year.
I’m not quite sure what the word will be. I need to pray and think about it more. I don’t want to be random about this. A few words are rattling about in my brain—Change, Serve, Purpose. I’ll let you know when I choose and I’ll share my scripture too.
In the meantime, I’d love you to join me in the quest for your One Word for the New Year. And if you already know it, please share in the comments!
NOTE: Two brand-new books have come out on the subject of One Word. My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen (“…find…just one word that represents what you most hope God will do in you,” and One Word that will Change Your Life by Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon (“…simplify your life and work by focusing on just one word for the entire year.”)
Elise has been married for 28 years and is mom to four mostly grown girls. She is a writer, editor, writing coach, and blogger. She believes we all have stories that matter--big life bios and small meaningful moments. Elise believes our stories are a reflection of God’s glory and are meant to be shared. They have the power to inform, reform, and transform. She loves God, familly, friends...and really likes travel!