TREASURE – 2021 Word of the Year
For months I have known my 2021 word of the year. After choosing the word FREE for 2020 and then spending the majority of the year in circumstances that often felt less than free, I continued to remind myself of things I would no longer take for granted. The word TREASURE continued to surface as the things I was experiencing pulled me to search for ways to hold on to special moments.
So why a word of the year? Before blogging this really was a foreign concept to me. Setting resolutions was always the norm, as was breaking them! Choosing a word to guide my year, to hold in my pocket and whip out at a moments notice, has been so much more impactful. One little word helps guide decisions and intentions and keep me focused.
The excitement I felt over my 2020 word of the year was so great. I had known when it came to me it was such the perfect next step in my quest to becoming a better me. So many times after the pandemic began I would think about my word and literally giggle to myself. I mean, we were literally in a shelter in place situation at one point which felt less than free to say the least.
As the months drug on, however, I found that my word had been chosen perfectly. I was indeed free in so many ways that I needed to be. Free to react to the situation the way that brought me the most peace. Free to see the good in others. Free to sleep in on most Saturday mornings. While I could have chosen to feel restricted, I felt free to choose to wear my mask or stay at home. Above all else I still felt free to experience my life and choose to find the joy in things like game night, dinners at home, lazy weekends and take out from restaurants I didn’t even know about pre-pandemic. I was free to explore other options for creating a joy in my life!
The day my gym opened I remember telling myself I would never take for granted again the ability to go workout and that is when it came to me. I would TREASURE the chance to go to the gym. I need this word in my life in 2021! For far too long I have not treasured the little things because I was too busy looking towards the big things! It’s time to get back to treasuring those things that really fill me up and bring the most meaning and quality to my life.
The definition of TREASURE in the dictionary reads:
Noun: wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoardeda store of money in reserve, something of great worth or value, a person esteemed as rare or precious or a collection of precious things
Verb: to hold or keep as precious, to collect and store up for future use
The last decade I really fell in love with my faith and how much it has meant to finally trust God accepts and loves me. While it took me most of my life to figure this out, I don’t want to waste more time not treasuring what it means.
When I found this verse I knew it could walk along side my word of the year! Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
So here are some other things I plan to treasure in 2021
Treasure my faith. Never before have I treasured my faith more than this last year. It was truly the only thing that got me through. I want to continue to treasure that someone bigger than me is in control. Spending time digging in deeper and learning more brings me such peace. I want to continue to learn how to pray for both myself and others and truly listen for the answers even if the outcome is not in the way I hoped.
Treasure my time. We all know our time here is limited but I want to live ever day like I realize it could be my last. Easier said than done in this world of so much to do! I want to treasure my relationships, pause to listen even when I have laundry to do, take that ride in the country. I want to treasure the time I have with those I love and find the joy in the small moments instead of always waiting for vacation or special occasion. This also means choosing those best yeses but also the right nos to create space for what I really treasure most.
Treasure my finances. There were so many years when I lived paycheck to paycheck and only dreamed of being debt free much less have an emergency reserve. We are in a place in our lives where this is such a close reality! I’ve never been able to really plan for the future in a concrete way and we need to treasure these good times and plan strategically for what is to come. I want to treasure where we are and be responsible with our finances.
Treasure my words. I am guilty of either speaking too quickly and often with a sharp tongue or holding my words out of fear of hurting someone. Words come with so much responsibility and that is not easy when you love to hear yourself talk! I want to be more diligent with using my words to build others up, to encourage, to mentor but I also want to feel the freedom of using my words when I feel afraid, worried, concerned without coming across as being rude or judgemental. By focusing on words that truly are from my heart with true intentions and trusting God to guide those words with wisdom, I hope my words can be something to treasure.
Treasure myself and what I have to offer. At 51 you would think I should be certain what I have to offer this world or what my purpose truly is but in all honesty, it is just not always that clear. For so many years the choices I have made have been centered on the purpose of being a mom or providing for my family. This year I want to treasure what I bring to the table and trust myself to step out of my comfort zone.
Treasure others even when they are different or don’t agree with me. While I’ve come along way here, it is an area I can easily slip back to my self-centered, my way or the highway kind of attitude especially when I’m feeling out of control. I want to continue to grow and respect others opinions and ways of doing things and learn from them when I can. I also want to just learn to listen and treasure the stories others are sharing to combat the biases or preconceived notions I may have about actions.
Treasure my opportunities. In order to do this I have to respect my time and value my time. Instead of grabbing every exciting possibility that is thrown my way, I want to only choose those opportunities that will fill me up, bring me joy and fulfill a purpose. If I don’t truly love doing sonething or don’t feel my time is being valued why would I choose it?
Treasure my health. No other time has it felt like such a treasure to be healthy. It may be a little to much info but on top of the pandemic, it seemed like a cruel joke that I would go through menopause the same year. The hormonal changes have been challenging but it’s taught me to focus less on the scale and more towards getting enough sleep, eating whole food, drinking less alcohol and exercising more. All of these things have helped to combat some of the side effects even if they didn’t reduce the size of my pants! I want to continue that journey to treasure my health.
At the end of 2021 I hope to see I appreciate, cherish, value…..TREASURE my faith, my life, my family, my health, the life of others and all the little things along the way that seem insignificant but have lasting joy.
What is your driving word of the year? Here are my past few years of words which have helped shape me into a more self aware, joyful person.
Present, Receive, Enough, Celebrate, Free
