Words of 2024

Hello and happy Thursday.

Shew! It’s cold around here. I feel like winter really kicked it up a notch…but without the snow. *sigh* (I know my KC peeps can’t say the same…I saw all the pretty snow pics this week!)

Today, I’m sharing my “words for the year.” These are words I hope to keep in mind and focus on this year.

Per tradition, on New Year’s Eve, my friend had us draw three words at random.

Last year, my words were:

This year, my words are:

Faith:

Faith is such an important word because sometimes you just “have to have faith…” Faith that things will get easier. Faith things will get better. Faith that some things take time, etc. Sometimes I have to remind myself to “keep the faith” and “take one day at a time.”

Like I mentioned in yesterday’s post, over the past few years, I’ve been more intentional with my religious faith. I think being a parent and having inquisitive kids can do that to you…at least that was my experience. This year, I want to continue to include Bible studies into my daily routine and of course attend church regularly.

Forgiveness:

Thankfully, I don’t feel like forgiveness is a word I will need to focus on too much this year…whether it’s asking for forgiveness or receiving it.

Instead, I think I need to forgive myself more. I can be my own worst critic. On any given day, I can feel like I didn’t do my best in the three most important parts of my life: being a mom, being a wife, being a teacher. I know none of us are perfect, and I need to remember that I can own up to mistakes and move on as well as just forgive myself for my shortcomings. Nobody is perfect.

Growth:

I’m a pretty reflective person which means I’m always in a growth mindset. What can I do differently? How can I be better?

As teachers, we have to complete a “Professional Growth Plan” every year. There are five domains with standards, and we rank ourselves by “ineffective,” “developing,” “accomplished,” and “exemplary” at the beginning and end of the year.

I won’t bore you with the details, but even after 22 years in education, I think it’s perfectly acceptable to be “developing” in certain areas. For example, “demonstrating knowledge of students.” Every year, I mark myself as “developing” in that area, but it’s a new year, with new students, so of course I will continue to get to know them throughout the year.

Most of my energy, rightfully so, goes to my family. Most nights when my head hits the pillow, I think about what I could have done differently as a parent, as a friend, as a wife. I’m not perfect, but I do really try my best on any given day. Of course, I fall short in some areas, but at least I take a moment to think about it and grow and learn from that experience or situation.

Cherish:

In church last week, we could pick up a star with a word on it to be our “word of the year” to reflect and pray on. I was handed my star at random, but the word on it is “cherish.”

Kind of like growth, I’m typically pretty aware of time, traditions, events, etc…and that I need to cherish them. I try really hard not to take things for granted. I would like to think that this year maybe I can slow down a bit and really savor/cherish events, both big and small, as they happen in my life.

I always say that I’m “forever a work in progress.” I guess we all are.

Enneagram:

I’m 5w6, and saw this fun post on Instagram (@maddiedoodle_)…& I think it fits me perfectly for 2024.

What about you? Do you have a word for the year?