Word Up!

(invitation by Stephanie Clouatre)

Well, it’s that time of year again… 

Time to start thinking about your One Little Word for 2008.

If you’ve been following my blog this year, you know about the One Little Word project (taken from Ali Edwards’ AEzine).  In Ali’s words, it’s about finding one word that “sums up what you want for yourself in 2008″.  Several of you have played along this year, with words as diverse (and funny) as laugh, cherish, empire, simplify, reconnect, and whimsy.  You can see these words and others listed down the right-hand side of my blog – each word has quotes and sometimes other thoughts on the attached page. 

Before jumping ahead to 2008, I thought I’d take some time to reflect on my 2007 word, RELAX - I picked this word moments after reading about the One Little Word concept.  I’ve always had a hard time settling down, just enjoying the moment, not being uptight.  RELAX was a perfect word for me to focus on… 

So here’s the real Question:  Did focusing on RELAX “change my life”?

Answer:  A little bit.  Honest!

11 months ago, when I settled on RELAX, I was hopeful that this could alter my life for the better.  I can say that there were times I really paid attention to my word and the meaning it held for me.  I would think relaxing thoughts, work on settling down my nervous energy, and take time to enjoy things a bit more.  At times, it really was a focus for me.

The majority of the time though, I found myself forgetting about my commitment to RELAX.  Even with my word plastered across my scrap space, I forgot the importance of the word 90% of the time.  Why?  I’m not completely sure, but I’m guessing that a few things were at work…

• I’m usually pretty darned relaxed when sitting at my scrap table, so why would I need reminders while sitting there?  Yet I had no reminders of my word where I find myself getting most aggravated, stressed, high-strung…at my work desk, in my kitchen/living space, and in my car. 
• Another factor:  that “old dog, new trick” saying seems to play a role.  I’ve been this person all of my life!  It’s improbable to expect an old dog like me to completely change her ways, right?  So a little more RELAX in my life is an improvement, but I’m not likely to become some laid-back slacker type, or at least not in this lifetime!

How did YOU do on your word this year?  What did it end up meaning for you?  Did you really put a focus on it?  Did it make you think twice about things?  I’d love to hear — feel free to post a comment below or on your word page to the right of this post.

You’re probably wondering what my word will be for 2008…I’ll be posting my word and at least 7 more after our Word Up! party on January 5th.  Steph Clouatre is hosting the event and she made the most darling invitations (see above picture).  We are all required to reveal our word at the party by wearing it somewhere on our person, and we must bring a corresponding quote for our new word.  I can’t wait!

I don’t have my word picked yet, but I’ve got a list brewing…