One Little Word 2017
January 3, 2017 by margaretsmn
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Out of your whole life give but a moment!
All of your life that has gone before,
All to come after it,—so you ignore,
So you make perfect the present
My friend, Julieanne, sent me the above poem. She said it made her think of me. My One Little Word for 2016 was Present. She knew I didn’t want to leave this word behind. Being present served me well this year, especially when I was laid up by an injury. Present was perfect for a trip to Africa in July and for enjoying every moment of my daughter’s wedding in October. I have loved my daily walks because of presence. And the word turned up again and again in my daily messages from the Enneagram Institute. I needed the word. I needed the feeling. I needed the attitude.
I’ve struggled for days over what my new word should be. I read other friends’ posts and found their words fit them just right. Ruth is being steadfast. Tara wants to believe in herself and in hope. Kimberley is releasing to try to be more open and less controlling. Melanie chose brave. I think she’s already brave, but it helps to choose a word that you want to embrace.
Where was my word hiding?
I wrote a poem in my journal about Peace. Peace is a beautiful word; peace is something I can recognize, but I can’t control it.
Peace–happy ending of a Hallmark movie.
Peace– origami cranes on an evergreen tree.
Peace– wood crackling on an open fire.
Peace– breathing new air.
Peace– making perfect the present.
I made a list of possible words:
- Treasure
- Create
- Intent
- Brave
- Inspire
- Grace
- Renew
- Goodwill
All good words, but each word made some requirement of me that I was not ready to take on. Can’t I just be present again?
Then I began looking more closely at treasure. The definition included a synonym that felt right, fit right, is right!
Cherish is the fruit of the tree of Presence.
Cherish embraces me in love.
Cherish fills me with hope.
Cherish 2017, here we go!
Cherish is a lovely word. I’m so glad you and your word found each other! I look forward to seeing this word guide you this year.
Cherish is so you. You with your sentimental ways and ability to cherish even the tree frog on a leaf in your backyard. Glad you found your word.
Present was a great word for the year gone past, and Cherish is another gem. It reminds us of being grateful for the world around us. We’ll likely need a lot of reminders of that in the years to come.
Kevin
Kevin, that’s it. I want to live in gratitude rather than fear and hate. Hopefully my word will help me navigate the waters of 2017.
Cherish . . . present in your haikus. It is you and how you can also hold on to “present”. The care and attention you bring to life, your teaching, and your writing is already an embodiment of your #OLW.
Cherish. I even love the sound of it. It’s so hard to let go of some words (Aloha was my hardest). But, I don’t think they really leave us, they just send up their “fruit” to carry on. Happy New Year!
Love your word, Margaret. It really builds on your last word. Two years ago I chose brave. It was my favorite word as it pushed to me to try things I would have walked away from previously. This year I chose STRETCH which seemed to add a bit of intention to the word I loved so much (brave). I hope you find cherish to be an important next step to present.
Oh, that’s a lovely word, Margaret. And it fits you perfectly! I have not chosen a word for this year. Going to think about it this week.
Oh, what a lovely word! It speaks so much. I cherish this opportunity we have to share the journey that takes us to a new word for the year. Thanks for sharing yours.
Beautiful, Margaret. This wonderful word also has the seeds of gratitude. I think both will serve us well in this year of uncertainty.
I have a present tree with cherish fruit sprinkling seeds of gratitude. Love it!
I wanted to keep present the year I had that word. You can weave cherish together with it, and keep present with you that way! I love your word, and I think it’s perfect for you, although I have a similar response to you that you’ve had to me. I think you do an inspirational job of cherishing all that’s important to you!
Thanks, Melanie. I think I am coming to know myself and embrace who I really am, sentimental, sappy, and secure. It’s a good feeling.
I am reminded of the song ~ “Cherish is the word I use to describe…”
…all of the coming year, present in each moment.
When I told Jeff my word, he said, “Don’t go around singing that song.” I have fond memories of the song, but I also feel like it’s an old fashioned word that needs to come back into our lexicon.
I think cherish is the perfect word for you! Your words, your blog, and you, all give me “cherishment” – I think I just made up a word for a step above inspiration! Happy New Year Margaret! I can’t wait to see where this word takes you because I know it will be beautiful!
Cherishment is a great new word. Let’s make it happen.
Cherish is the fruit of presence. Yes.Thanks for giving me something to ponder today as I embrace my last blissful day of Christmas break.
My last day too. Cherish it!
You did it! Cherish is a beautiful word. Just saying it makes me feel good. Is that “cherishment”? This word will serve you well. Happy 2017!
Cherish seems to be the just right word to follow present. I hope you will have a wonderful year!
Love that you found the path from “present” to one special to you, Margaret: “Cherish is the fruit of the tree of Presence.” It’s just right! Happy New Year that’s full of life’s cherished moments!
Love this word Margaret! May 2017 be a wonderful year to cherish.
It’s a beautiful word. Happy New Year, Margaret.
What Kimberley said. It’s the word for you, my friend, glad you found it!
I know I have already commented on this post, but I have really been thinking about the word “cherishment.” I have decided that it is a word that feeds and nourishes the soul. I think I feel a celebration post in the making for Saturday about this!
Margaret, I am so glad that you showcased this post again since I missed it on Tuesday. Cherish is a beautiful word that will grow from presence as you said and bear much fruit. To have gratitude, cherish, and presence tied into your journey will lead you on in so many positive directions. Thank you for sharing your word with us. From seeing all the comments, you must feel cherished and realize that it is a good choice for 2017.
I love how you kept your last year’s word close to you all year, Margaret. (Must learn to do that.) Your new word fits you beautifully and I know will enhance your 2017. Happy, Happy!