A NEW YEAR AND A NEW WORD
Last year I chose "Embrace" as my word to describe 2016. After releasing my grip on a lot of things in 2015 I was open to new ideas and new experiences, and ready to embrace change and being a little bit more adventurous in my choices.Now that 2017 has rolled around, I'm ready to take a step back and say "ENOUGH" - I am enough, I have enough. I don't need to strive, or prove myself, or compete. It is sufficient in itself to just "be".
WHY CHOOSE 'ENOUGH'?
I think this comes from finally accepting that life is unpredictable. I can't control it and I don't even have the desire to anymore. I don't need to worry so much about what has happened or what is going to happen. It is enough to live in the present and to enjoy what unfolds. Holding on with a tight fist hurts me, trying to be all things to all people diminishes me, envying others eats away at me.So instead, I'm going to focus on appreciating all that I have. Not aspiring to more because I already have more than I need - more than enough. I have a great husband, wonderful children, a beautiful grandbaby, a fabulous group of friends, a satisfying job, a lovely home, and much, much more. This is enough for me.
CONTENTMENT
Last year was all about looking for opportunities and not wanting to miss out on anything new coming my way. I feel like I ticked a few things off my bucket list and now I'm ready to settle back a little and enjoy these peaceful moments. You never know what life is going to bring your way, so appreciating what I have now is really important to me. I'll face whatever is coming, but with quiet optimism rather than panicked grasping.Do you have a word for 2017? If you had a word for 2016, how did it go?
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This is all new to me haven't heard of this word thing. After reading I think I like this idea.
ReplyDeleteI first heard about it in 2015 Candace and loved the idea - it is a much more positive approach than a new years resolution. You'll have to let me know if you come up with a word of your own :)
DeleteI only heard about this word thing recently. Although I like your word enough, the word that comes to mind for me is joy. I suppose I should write a post about it :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth a post Dee - I love that there are so many different words chosen each year - and for a myriad of reasons that are all equally interesting. I'll keep my eyes open for your update on why you choose Joy x
DeleteGreat word Leanne. We all seem to run around as you say frightened of missing out on something when if we take a step back and reflect we do have enough - love, life and family - what more could you want?
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly Sue - and did you see that Elena chose Simplify as her word for 2017? I think we're all on the same page with wanting to take a step back and just appreciate our life for what it is and the blessings we have every day.
DeleteI love this! My sister and I often discuss how society is pushing everyone to want more, strive for more and that we must create a life that makes us so happy and blissful 24/7. I think this can make a lot of people depressed because they can't achieve.I wish we would all stop. Enough is enough. Be thankful with content. I did my post last week and my word was simplify.
ReplyDeleteSimplify and Enough are really on the same wavelength aren't they Elena? I think a lot of us are over the self indulgence that society promotes and we're really quite content with our lot in life. It's a shame not everyone feels the same way, but for each of us who steps off the hamster wheel there is a little piece of contentment waiting! PS Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 went with Simplify too - great minds :)
DeleteI do believe "enough" is one of the primary keys to happiness. Moderation is part of that. Setting limits. So much involved!
ReplyDeleteCarol
It seems so simple doesn't it Carol but sometimes there is complexity in choosing to not buy into consumerism and competition. It's worth it though.
DeleteMy word for 2016 was "determination" - and I quickly forgot all about it. In today's climate, it seemed the perfect word for this year, and I am trying again. In other ways, though, I think "enough" is a word many of us should use. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI forgot my word for 2016 quite regularly Alana, but then something would remind me and I'd think about it for a while - I think it is more helpful than making resolutions and more flexible in its own way.
DeleteYou are enough. This is the first year that I've picked a word. It's renewal, which works for me on so many levels this year.
ReplyDeleteI love "renewal" what's funny is I kept thinking about "unfold" and that reminds me of you every time Jennifer :)
Delete'Enough' is a biggie for me because it goes with 'worth' and both are something I struggle with. I never feel I am 'enough' or that I have 'enough' and it's something I really need to work on! #teamlovinlife
ReplyDeleteI struggled with worth for a long time to Deb - but midlife is giving me a break from that. I feel like it's now or never and I'm becoming much more "take me or leave me" in regard to how I view other people's opinions. If you let a lot of that stuff go through to the keeper you start living a much freer life xx
DeleteI like your idea of picking a word for the year. "Enough" seems like a good, solid word that could become a mantra to help you feel peaceful and grateful in any situation or circumstance. No matter what 2017 throws at you, you can feel satisfied that you already have Enough of everything you need.
ReplyDeleteI thought choosing a word was more proactive than trying to make resolutions that I'll ultimately fail in Mimi. I love the idea of being satisfied and content rather than continually trying to grasp the next "big thing"
DeleteGreat choice on your word Leanne! We can miss out on so much of life by wanting to have more or be more. By realizing we have enough/we are enough we can truly appreciate life and enjoy what we do have!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly Lori - it's about how we see ourselves and our place in the world. If we come from a viewpoint of gratitude and positivity then we have such a head start on life.
DeleteEnough is a great word - especially when you've had a busy year it's nice to appreciate the outcomes of that for a bit. I suspect I'll be looking for a similar word next year...although it's a tad too early to be planning that, right? Wishing you a fabulous 2017 #lovinglifelinky
ReplyDeleteI feel that way after 2016 - I was all for taking on anything and everything, but this year I want to be more cruisy and more deliberate about gratitude. And it's never too early to start planning Jo :)
DeleteI've been so inspired by all the 'word' posts that I've read this month that I've borrowed many of the words from their authors for myself.
ReplyDelete'Enough' is another I must borrow.
SSG xxx
I think it's such a great idea to choose a word that encompasses something you'd like to achieve - it's less defeating than resolutions that so easily get forgotten or broken - and I'm glad you're compiling a list :)
DeleteI haven't settled on a word for 2017 yet, but I do like ENOUGH. Really, we are all enough and we have enough, don't we? #TeamLovinLife
ReplyDeleteEach year my word has just popped into my head like it's been waiting for my Lyndall. I'm sure yours will appear at any moment :)
DeleteReally enjoyed your post and thoughts. I believe, that wanting more ..more ..more is just too common in human beings from the very first day of 'creation', it has always caused the worst things for us.Wars were always the answer to greed. And it could be so easy to make a change if we all would realize, that 'more' is not the secret to happiness. Oh dear, I am afraid that will never change. We can only try to change our own little circle for the better. If only people understood, that being happy with 'enough' can give you so much more.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I feel Klaudia - our world is so focused on what it can get and not missing out on anything. Wouldn't it be lovely if we all were satisfied with our lot in life and those who already had more than they need, shared it with those who didn't have enough? Pipe dreams but it has to start somewhere doesn't it?
DeleteThis whole word thing is something new I haven't heard of. I must be living under a rock. If more of us would learn to live with enough I think we would learn to be so much happier.
ReplyDeleteThere are thousands of bloggers who choose a word Candace - it's so easy and so much more satisfying than trying to make NY resolutions. Welcome to to a whole new idea - maybe you'll have a word pop into your head that you can choose for the year - it's never too late to start :)
DeleteEnough is a great word! I've been doing the Happy New Word thing for 6 years now. I really think I'll do it forever. It works well for me.
ReplyDelete#TeamLovinLife
This is my third time Leanne and I love it too. It's so simple and yet so satisfying isn't it? I loved your word - and I get a real kick out of seeing what others chose and the reasons behind the choices.
DeleteI like your word "enough" for 2017 Leanne. I think in this competitive, break-neck and crazy world we live in we all need to reach a point where we do need to say enough is enough. I found myself extremely overwhelmed in 2016 with heaps of blogging stuff and decided that this year I'm going to simplify my life by letting go of one of my part-time writing jobs and focussing on what makes me happier. So my word is "foster". #TeamLovinLife
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you're saying Kathy - last year I tried a few different things and blogged my little heart out, but as time went on I realized what I enjoyed and what was a chore. Getting rid of the "chore" part and going with the bits I loved was more than enough and I intend to follow that path in 2017.
DeleteI like the way in which you have worked out what you need to do and be to get the most out of 2017 for you! Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 2/52 Denyse
ReplyDeleteI think I've finally come to terms with who I want to be and that makes it a lot easier going forward into 2017 Denyse x
DeleteI did a post on 'enoughness' a while back... it's one of my favourite words in relation to many things, particularly how much 'stuff' we seem to collect as we go through life, and the demands placed on us by ourselves and others. My word for this year is 'simplify'.
ReplyDeleteI think Simplify and Enough go hand in hand Linda. Once you realize what is important and what has true value, you can start shedding the dross and what you are and what you have becomes more than enough.
DeleteLove this. Enough is one of the most powerful words we can live true to. Hope your year is filled with enough.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Deb - I'm really hoping 2017 is a year I look back on as one of sufficiency and gratitude - I'm so over the struggle years!
DeleteI love your choice of word Leanne. I have had self doubt as well as others opinions of me, make me feel like I wasn't good enough or what I have done wasn't good enough. I think its a wonderful word which can remind us how strong and capable we are. :)
ReplyDeleteI think most women struggle with self doubt Julie - it is a rare person who has the self confidence to not feel the weight of the opinion of others. I'm learning to let that go as I get older and to remind myself that I am more than enough and I've worked hard to get there! Wishing you the same sense of peace too x
DeleteExcellent choice of word, Leanne. Many of us already have 'enough' in many areas of our lives, it just takes some introspection and stillness to discover this. It's a journey I've only recently thought to make..
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
You are exactly right SSG - we already have more than enough within ourselves, it's just a matter of stopping long enough to appreciate it and nurture it. At least you're starting the journey sooner than I did :)
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