Pondering...

Every year I choose a word (inspired by Ali Edwards) that I use to focus my life around.

One year I chose "DO" because I wanted more follow through in my life.

In 2013 I chose "TRANSFORM" because I wanted to change my life in a multitude of ways.

This past year, I chose "TRANSFIGURE" because I wanted to continue my transformation in a more elevated way.

Each year these words magically shape my life. I have done some awesome things because of my One Little Word.

In 2013 I ran my first half marathon and then went on to run 2 more that year.

In 2014, I ran my first full marathon + 2 more, several half marathons, multiple 5Ks and a 10K. I went to Vegas and started a fitness business with Ray. My photography business grew. I am more comfortable taking chances and "putting myself out there." I am not even close to the same person physically or mentally I was this time last year. And my relationship with Ray became stronger and deeper.

Every year, I start pondering my new word in November and finally decide right before New Year's Eve. I look up definitions and examine all aspects of the word. It really has to fit...it has to "speak" to me and most importantly, it has to bring to me what I am hoping to do.

This year, I want a verb to express my desire to create life, to create moments and experiences. I want a verb to draw awesome opportunities into my life. I want to grow both of my businesses. I want to travel. I want to grow exponentially--spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally. I essentially want to take life by the horns and actually LIVE it. I want to set a WOW goal...a goal so big that the last-year's-me would have cringed and cowered and thought, "Not possible." I want to DO things...BUILD things...BE someone...BECOME someone...I want to inspire and uplift and motivate and encourage. I want to leave this place and everyone I come into contact better off because of me.

I want to become so full of life that I am busting at the seams. And I want to be OPEN to all the adventures and experiences and avenues and opportunities that I don't even know are there yet.

Right now, I have 4 words in the running:

1)effectuate--to bring about; to cause to happen; effect; accomplish

2)impel--to drive or urge forward; press on; incite or constrain to action

3)generate--to bring into existence; cause to be; produce; to create by a vital or natural process; to create and distribute vitally and profusely; to produce or specify

4) design--to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for, especially to plan the form and structure of; to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully; to form in the mind; contrive a plan; to assign in thought or intention; purpose

Each one of these words has an essential component that I am looking for: purposefully creating...but each one has little nuances that I need to ponder...

So, the race is on...the New Year is a little over a week a way...It's not too late for you to join me! Think about what you would like to achieve, what you would like to overcome or accept or how you would like to grow or change. Read Ali's blog and learn more about it and then choose a word for yourself. You will be amazed at how that one little word will guide your life!
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Peace out my friends!