Ah, the dawn of a new year – a canvas waiting to be painted with adventures, growth, and intentional living. As I eagerly anticipate the possibilities that 2024 holds, I find myself drawn to a word that resonates deeply with my aspirations. My 2024 One Little Word is "Connect."
We're well into the first month. I've finally unveiled my "One Little Word" for the year, prompting reflection on the impact of this intentional choice. Someone previously asked me if picking a word truly alters my behavior throughout the year. The answer, as I've discovered over the years, is a resounding "sometimes."
The One Little Word and the meaning behind it, for me anyways, is more about answering the question: “where do I want to grow, shift, mature, impact, evolve or change this year?”. Not to dramatically overhaul our lives; yet, to answer the question in a way that stretches me or my family. It is a way to measure progress and each year I can say at the frontend “this matters to me”. During the year, if something is a struggle or there is a hard decision to make, I use it as a weighting factor or a lens to look through. At the end of the year, I use it as a measuring stick. This is a way to say “this was important to me, is it still, and if so, how did I go in that area”. It is a word that adds intention more than anything.
Defining the Journey Through My One Little Word
"Connect" isn't just a word. It's a roadmap, a lens through which I'll navigate the multifaceted terrain of the upcoming year. It's about weaving threads of intentionality into the tapestry of my life. It is about fostering relationships, and creating meaningful connections in the midst of the adventures, challenges, and joys that await. "Connect" shows up in so many ways. I want to lay them out for you so you'll be able to gain a deeper understanding of where this one little word for the year stems from.
Faith-Fueled Connections
In the hustle and bustle of travel, work challenges, and fostering, my compass is sticking to my Bible plan. Every day, I'm diving into its wisdom, creating a deep connection with my faith. It's my anchor, helping me navigate the waves of life. I use the Daily Grace Co. podcast along with its Bible plan in the Bible app to help me stay on track. Last year, I read the entire Bible in a Year. This year's plan is diving deeper into the New Testament. I am enjoying thus far the slowness of consumption that is immediately felt compared to last year's plan.
Literary Journeys
Guess what? I've got big plans to read more books! It's like going on different journeys without leaving my cozy spot. Reading opens my mind and connects me with new ideas, making this year an epic quest of learning and discovery. These literary journeys will be my companions during travels, quiet evenings, and stolen moments, connecting me to new ideas, perspectives, and worlds. Already four books completed, we just hit week three of the year. After a few years, I have noticed I start really strong in the depths of the wintry months and tend to touch my books less in the summer time. I think that's okay and natural with life's rhythms. I am excited to see what pieces of literature connects me to new ideas and thoughts.
Moving Toward Balance
Being a stay-at-home office working mom means a lot of sitting. So, I'm on a mission to add more steps to my day. Last year I added a stand up desk to my office decor. It helped me daily to feel less sluggish and sore. I worked on my posture and spent a ton of hours at the chiropractor helping relieve some long-term pains. I recently added a desk platform to my treadmill; I'm actually typing from it right now while walking. Walking throughout my day and frankly giving myself permission to do so has helped my mental and emotional self just as much as my physical one. It's not just about getting fit. It's a way to stay connected to my body and feel the energy buzzing around.
Leading in Connection
Hold onto your hats because I'm leading a community group! Not a church group, we already do that as well. I have landed the opportunity to design a space for parents to connect and share the rollercoaster ride of raising awesome kids like Lillie who have Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum. It's like building a connection bridge among us. It's for parents who are navigating the unknown waters of raising neurodivergent kids together – a strong and supportive community.
Expressing Through Words
Last but not least, I'm going to write more. It's like giving a voice to my adventures, whether it's scribbling about travels, fostering escapades, or just sharing some cool thoughts. Writing connects me with my own stories and, hopefully, with all of you!
Connecting to my 2024 One Little Word
In the spirit of "Connect," I envision:
- Deepening Relationships:
Strengthening existing connections with friends, family, and colleagues. It's about investing time and energy in relationships that matter. - Fostering Community:
As my husband embarks on the journey of potentially having a stronger leadership role at our church, "Connect" inspires us to foster a sense of community – to be there for one another in times of joy and sorrow. - Navigating Challenges Together:
With a missions trip on the horizon and the ongoing dynamics of the possibility of fostering, "Connect" encourages us to navigate challenges as a united front, finding strength in our connections. - Writing Connections:
In my desire to write more, "Connect" prompts me to explore ways to connect with readers on a deeper level, sharing stories that resonate and create a sense of shared experiences. - Balancing Connection:
Amidst the chaos of work, travel, and family dynamics, "Connect" guides me to find balance – to be present and connected in each moment, fostering a harmonious rhythm.
So, as I embark on the adventure of 2024 with "Connect" as my guiding star, I invite you to join me. Let's explore the profound impact of intentional connections, embrace the messy beauty of life, and celebrate the countless threads that bind us together in this grand tapestry of existence. Here's to a year of meaningful connections, growth, and the joy of intentionally weaving our stories together.
What’s a One Little Word?
Interested in discovering your own One Little Word for 2024? Check out my previous year’s OLW and my why:
- 2023: Explore
- 2022: Create
- 2021: Breathe
- 2020: Simplify
- 2019: Nourish x2 (I carried over 2018’s because I didn’t quite feel done with it yet.)
- 2018: Nourish
- 2017: Savor
- 2016: Present
Do you have a One Little Word for your year? I’d love to hear it. Drop it below!
