December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
This year:
adjustment (n) (Not adjusted (adj))
It's true that on the face of it, not much changed this year. I continued my graduate work, I celebrated my fifth anniversary, and, for the first time in my working life, I didn't have a new position this year. But there was still so much adjustment, much of it mental and emotional. I have many seemingly incompatible dreams I am extremely fond of, and I've had to adjust my expectations. It has been a rather painful process. On the other hand, other goals have come into sharper focus and have brought about some joyful anticipation.
Next year:
Deliberate (adj) (and, necessarily, deliberate (v))
I want to remember to enjoy the things we learn and accomplish in the moment, to enjoy the process of becoming and the glory of being. existing. I plan to live deliberately in as many ways as I can.
Trying to describe a year in a single word is like trying to choose the correct .034 seconds that best personify your favorite song.
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought of words like "hard," "lame," and "excruciating." But those don't represent all of the positive things that have come out of the hardness, lameness, and excruitiatingness.
In the end, I simply must agree with Lindsay's "adjustment." Quite insightful, poignant, and accurate.
Next year I'm shooting for "boss."
jclark
I really like the idea of living deliberately. I hadn't put that word to it, but I think that's a good way to describe what I've been doing. This is a fun idea, too; I'm going to have to try and encapsulate my year.
ReplyDelete