Words for a New Year

 For almost 10 years I have been choosing a word or words to be my focus for the New Year. I'm not a big fan of resolutions because the seem to come with a lot of guilt when you realize you have not lived up to your intentions. I started choosing words while I was in ministry school at the Spokane International Healing Rooms. People always laugh and say "Don't ask God for patience"  Not that having more patience would not be a good things. As those who have asked God for patience can attest - God is not your fairy Godmother who waves a magic wand and poof now you are patient. No, God will answer your prayer by giving you ample opportunities to practice and grow in patience. I find this is true of any word you choose. To ask for wisdom you open yourself up to opportunities to grow in wisdom. What I like about choosing a word or words for the year is they keep working in the background even when I am not particularly focusing on them. The opportunities for growth and to deeper understanding and revelation continue to come. Last year I did four paintings to go with my words. They are available as prints and cards at my website. www.simplymargot.com

Love: https://simplymargot.com/shop/prints/butterfly-love-prints-and-cards/

Purpose: https://simplymargot.com/shop/prints/hummingbird-purpose-prints-and-cards/

Power: https://simplymargot.com/shop/prints/ladybug-power-prints-and-cards/

The fourth one was Gratitude and I did not get it added my website yet.  Getting each print color corrected and laid out in the various options is a bit of an on going process. I am thankful for what I have gotten posted at this point and look forward to adding more.  If you are reading this and want this print you can contact me through my website and I will bump it up on my to do list. 

This my 2024 words are Rest, Create, Connect and Vitality. As I was thinking about last years words and this years words I wrote the following little poem. 

"Love allows me to Rest

Purpose leads me to Create

Power is multiplied when we Connect with others

Gratitude contains the seeds of Vitality"

I'm sure you are wondering why I chose a ladybug for the word Power. There is a European legend that says the name ladybug came one year long ago, when the crops were being destroyed by masses of aphids. The farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. That help came in the form of many ladybugs who ate the aphids and saved the crops.  Power to bring change, restoration, healing, renewal, often comes from some small act of kindness. The ladybug story was the reminder I needed to go along with the word. Im sure there are other ways to look at power but I think the heart of it is within reach of all of us. I am always reminded of the Mother Teresa quote that says "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." Small things done with great love can change the world. Think about how the mood of a room can change by someone sharing a smile or a simple kindness. That is the power that we each possess to make a difference in the lives of those we connect with through out the course of our day. 

What word or words will you choose for 2024?

Once you have chosen you word put it on a post it note or write an affirmation or do a painting or drawing. Find ways to create little reminders to find through out your day. Don't assume that you know all there is to know about your chosen word. Your word will teach you as you move through this years with the varied opportunities that will come your way. 

I'd love to hear what word or words you have chosen. If this is a new idea for you and what you think about it? Will you choose a word and give it a year long test drive?