It’s that time once again to reflect on the year. How did I do with my Word of the year?

One thing is for certain…strength played a huge part in 2021.

Somehow I mustered the strength to return to the classroom while most every fiber of my being was telling me not to.

I had strength in my resolve to get vaccinated as soon as I was eligible.

I used my physical strength to grow more food in our garden and amend the soil so I am ready to plant again in the spring. My physical strength also got me out walking and participating with coworkers on weekly step challenges.

I had strength to let my baby girl go off to college. The strength to let go.

I was really hoping I could somehow find a way that strength played a role in my art but I’m drawing a blank.

Each year I select a word to be my guide throughout the year. Some years I do better than others to keep my word in the forefront.

This year I chose Mindful.

Being mindful has a place in all aspects of life.

Mindful of the products I bring into our home.

Mindful of the words I choose to use.

Mindful of the impact I have on others and others have on me.

Taking time to be mindful of how much I consume, meaning both internally and externally. It all has an impact.

Mindful of the legacy I leave.

Give mindful thought before making commitments.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The end of the year…the decade…it should give us all pause. Time to think back on the past decade…the good, the bad and the ugly. Of course, things are already set but think of what could we do better, do more of, do less of? What has changed…10 years is a long time especially when you have kids. I came into this decade with kids in the single digits…now I have an adult, nearly 20, and another, close to adulthood.

Last year I picked the word Trust for my Word of the Year. One word to guide, to remember as the moments tick by.

This is so difficult to measure. It’s very personal.

One thing that I know I learned this year was to Trust that things will work out in the end.  Sometimes things are out of your control and worry is just worshipping the problem so that’s where Trust comes in.

Have a Happy New Year!