Abundant Mama Wisdom: Today, may I feel open to the love of those around me. May today be full of loving connections and joyful moments that make me laugh and smile.
I spend a lot of time in The Abundant Mama Project e-course working with all the lovely mamas about setting intentions — both daily and weekly — that are based on how you want to feel.
And we spend a lot of time focusing on these kinds of intentions for ourselves because that is the point of the course — to find the beauty in our lives by slowing down and taking better care of ourselves.
Setting that intention always feels really good. I set one daily, myself, so I know how powerful this kind of goal-setting is for a busy mom.
So, it was a little surprising even for me when I sat down to create content for another project when the idea of a family guiding word of the year — a word that will help us all focus all year long — popped into my head.
What is a guiding word?
People all over have been choosing guiding words for the new year a lot in the last few years. It’s simply one word that stands out for you and offers a way for you to invite that feeling or desire into your life in the new year.
Last year, I couldn’t pick just one so I chose a phrase — Think Big. (And oh did I!)
This year, I’ll choose another word of the year for myself but my family got together and brainstormed some ideas on a family word of the year as well.
Creating a Family Word of the Year is opens up an entirely new world of family connection. It invites team work. It sparks conversation. It begs for creative expression. It’s pretty much the perfect way to start a New Year and I think we’ve found a definite new family tradition.
Building our list was so much fun and a great family fun activity during the fourth snow storm in two weeks. Our list was so fabulous. Words that bubbled to the top were adventure, shine, growth, joy and loving — words that fill my heart with warmth at the mere sight of them.
But, in the end, we chose a word that is so very familiar to us — WONDER.
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. ― Albert Einstein
This word — the year of wonder — will be the centerpiece of our days and weeks. It will guide our choices on day trips and vacation destinations. It will guide our weekends and our weekdays.
It’s never too late to choose a guiding word. Sometimes we have to begin the new year before we can really sink into what the new year may bring to us.
Here’s a simple way to create your own Family Word of the Year.
What you’ll need:
Paper or dry erase board
Pens, pencils or markers
One piece of paper for each family member
What you’ll do:
- Get cozy and brainstorm words (for younger children its best to give some sample words)
- Write down everyone’s ideas.
- Cross out the words that seem lackluster or that would create conflict for anyone.
- Narrow down your list to two choices.
- Vote on the final two. You may have a tie so have a plan in place for that, in case.
Once you have a winning word that works for everyone, have everyone write, draw and color the word on a piece of paper. Paint it. Adorn it. Make is all snazzy. Then hang your family artwork in a special place. You may even frame all of them and hang them on the wall for the entire year.
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I have chosen a word for myself for the past 4 years. I love this idea of choosing a family word. Can’t wait to do this.
Please let me know if you do and what you choose! I am obsessed with wordstorming like this lately.
I love this idea!! I’m thinking of JOY, CALM, PEACE, LOVE.
Your words make me feel hopeful for the new year!
I have been thinking of this already too… I haven’t settled on it yet, but so far the top runners are: Patience, Transformation, Embrace, Wonder, Glee.. still praying on the one that will be 2014. Maybe I’ll find a way to work all 5 in to a phrase or mantra. 🙂
Embrace is a great word … embrace change, embrace new experience, embrace love. Lots to work with there, Stacy. Good luck in choosing!
I LOVE this, Shawn! I’ve done a word for me, but never a family word. Totally doing it this year!!!
I love, love, love this idea! I suggested the idea (so everyone could start brainstorming ideas) my eight year old son immediately said RESPECT. Hmmm… what an interesting thing that his first thought would be respect.
I can’t wait to put all the ideas on paper. Brilliant (as usual ;))
I can’t wait to hear what you all choose. I think RESPECT is a great one … and how awesome that your kid came up with it! 🙂 He’s teaching you good things, that one.
My family loved the idea of picking a Family Word of the Year, and we found one that is so fitting for our new journey. The word we chose was ADVENTURE, and the reason why is we currently live in Michigan, come June my family will be moving to Istanbul, Turkey for three years. My husband has accepted a shot-term position there for work. I have two young children (six & three) that are very excited to start our new “adventure” that we really could not have come up with a more fitting word! (I was actually leaning toward “patience”, but they made some good arguments, especially my six year old, she knows how to make a point..haha)
Adventure was definitely on our short list! That is going to be so much fun!
Just like Amy we are moving this year too! Although it is in the same city we are renovating a house and doing much of the work ourselves. I knew I wanted to include my kids in this process and I thought if we had FUN as our word it would remind all of us to lighten up about all the stress that we eventually be experiencing. My 7 year old really wanted the word ADVENTURE and pleaded her case for it. We decided to combine the words into FUNVENTURE. We wrote it on the top of our calendar. We are finding that even a trip to the grocery store can be a FUNVENTURE with the right mind set! I love this idea!