Every year I tangle with what word to choose for my One Little Word for the year. I’ve held this practice for years now, but I have to say the word I choose does not always serve me. I have a collection of word bracelets, and alternate them depending on my mood of the day. (Grace, Enough, Presence, Purpose, Embrace…)
Last year I chose the word Purpose. At the time, I didn’t have a clue what a turbulent health event was waiting for me. Now that I am fully through and back to myself, I still can’t find purpose in it. My priest told me that God wanted me to come to a full stop. I somehow needed that. Really? I don’t believe it yet. I still carry anger about what happened to me. I could gloss it up here for social media, but the fact remains, I’m not OK with thinking that God somehow was involved in the medical failure. God doesn’t fail. God sits with you in all things. God was with me even when I could not pray. Presence (not purpose) was what I felt.
I’ve been getting messages about the word Connect. I have a new calendar by Nikki McClure that is titled Connect. When I wrote a poem yesterday for This Photo Wants to be a Poem, connect was my last word. I understand that the reason I write this blog is to connect.
However, last night when I started working on a graphic in Canva, many of the images that came up were mechanical, technical, not at all about human connection. My mind turned on a dime to what I think I truly wish for myself and for the world: Peace.
For these last days of my school break, I have spent some time next to the fireplace noticing how fire can be a comfort as well as a destroyer. Maybe I will be gutted by Peace as I was with Purpose. Who knows what 2024 holds for me? I’m ready to be present for all of it. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? I know I have strength to make it through.
My hope is for Peace,
peace of mind,
peace of soul,
peace of presence.
Peace, my friends.
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Hi Margaret. I loved hearing about the way you teased out your word both here and in the comments you left me. I lived CONNECT in 2011 and PEACE in 2021. I cannot wait to hear the way you continue to find connections between the two words and the way peace plays out for you in 2024. It will be beautiful.
Margaret, thank you for hosting this month’s SJT. Peace is such a great word. It speaks to inner peace as well as peace for those around us and for the world. May you find the peace you desire.
Thank you for hosting! Your choice is an excellent one for the world as it is right now.
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Margaret, I like that you are so honest about the choice of your word and how it gutted you and you still don’t truly understand parts of it. I can also see why you changed from connect, when even though we want to connect with people through relationships, we want to disconnect from technology. I love that you landed on peace, and I hope that 2024 finds you with greater peace of mind and peace with the world around you.
Margaret, peace is a perfect word for 2024–for individuals and the world. I’m glad you pivoted. I too pivoted from “Believe” to a word that was bigger. Blessings to you.
Margaret, our one word guides us if it’s truly the right match each month. I hope that peace will become a comforting guide in 2024. Thank you for hosting SJT and sharing your process. Your strength and faith are amazing. I am impressed by your simple poem that addresses not only peace for you but for the world.
Yes, peace. I so look forward to seeing and hearing and reading all the ways that you find peace in 2024.
My OLW for 2024 is WORLD (peace was a contender). It’s funny how I landed on world…almost like it found me. https://awordedgewiselindamitchell.blogspot.com/2024/01/in-2024-my-olw-is-world.html
Love reading your journey. You ended with the line about strength to make it through. My OLW for this year is strength. I am dealing with a medical issue that has not yet resolved itself so hoping for peace and strength this year to settle many things. Thanks for always writing.
Medical issues require strength in both body and mind. I hope you find answers and a path through.
Margaret – Wishing you health, purpose, and peace in the New Year! Your words and poetry always lift me out of myself and into a stronger connection with my faith. Thank you!
Thank you for letting me join you! I love reading about the struggles and the journies people have when trying to find their one little word…or when their word actually finds them. I think we could all use a little more peace in our worlds. I look forward to seeing how peace finds you this year.
[…] When I read posts for “Spiritual Journey”, I knew I had to share my word. I am also joining other bloggers for Spiritual Journey Thursday, new weekly adventure for me, one I am looking forward to. . Today’s journey is hosted by Margaret Simon. […]
Well, oops! Guess who spaced SJT? I love your word. I am planning to share my OLW next week. And I love that you wear word bracelets (I do that as well)/
I loved hearing about your journey to peace. I seriously considered connect also, but chose to spend another year with gather. The word I choose doesn’t always serve me either. But something tells me that you’ll have a lovely well-deserved walk with peace. Happy New Year!
[…] Simon who inspired me to jump into Spiritual Journeying last year. She leads us off with her OLW here. Go read and relish in all the linked reflections at the end of her […]
Peace be with you, Margaret. And with our world. I think about your journey and how it is replicated in individuals across space and time; and how even our Earth longs for it. Imagine what it might look like when everyone, everywhere, everything finds peace! Well, I suppose that would be called heaven. 🙂