Spiritual Journey is gathering today at Ruth’s blog. We are writing about our chosen words for 2019.
Choosing a one little word is something I start thinking about weeks before the year’s end. For me it becomes a process of listening to the universe. This year my thoughts started around Thanksgiving. The first word I considered was Compassion.
A compassionate life is something to aspire to. I recently read Bishop Jake Owensby’s latest book A Resurrection Shaped Life.
“By God’s grace, a new life–what I’m calling a resurrection-shaped life–emerges from suffering and sorrow. One way in which that new life emerges is in our unguarded engagement with the suffering of others.” (21)
Caring so deeply that we stand beside and hold hands with suffering is what Jesus calls us to; however, the more I thought about this word, the more unworthy I felt. I don’t want to choose a word that leads me to despair, that feeling of not meeting up with my own expectations.
Another word I considered was Mindfulness. I love practicing yoga and bringing meditation into my day. I’ve not made time for this since school started, so perhaps if I gave myself the word mindfulness, I would get back to these spirit-filled activities. And being in touch with my spiritual center would also lead me to compassion.
These words are still an integral part of my thinking. I meditated the other day and heard another word, Blessed. Ah, yes. That’s it. I am blessed and when I feel blessed, I can bless others. But the dictionary definition of blessed is “made holy; consecrated.” This definition makes me feel I am proclaiming something rather than working toward a better me.
In searching for synonyms of compassion, I found a perfect word, one I can wrap my head around, one that is not a claim or full of unlimited expectation. Simple and sincere…
Reflections on the Teche 
I love reading your process. I just posted my word…very similar considerations. I know that you will find grace this year.
Love Grace. It was in my top 10.
Grace is a word I love and seek to understand. And having you write about your journey will illuminate my understanding. I just listened to a Story Corps podcast that talked about how finding a father’s old steel guitar led a son to think about grace and forgiveness. I think you’ll like it. The episode is Old Guitars and Purple Hearts. Here’s the link if you haven’t already heard it: https://storycorps.org/podcast/ Happy New Year, Margaret!
I always think of you as filled with grace, Margaret! What a lovely word to focus on for 2019:>)
A simple and sincere word for sure! Grace has an aura, doesn’t it? I love the taste of that word. Thank you! xo
Your comment about your desire of “working toward a better me” really stood out, and confirmed how important the process of choosing a OLW is. It also affirmed for me personally how my OLW choice of boredom can do this for me. My word last year was more other’s-focused, but this year I hope to work toward a better me by shutting out time-sucking distractions!
Grace has come to you in a roundabout way but it is yours for the year, Margaret. It holds such stature, such depth, and will serve you well.