This morning I took a long walk with the intention of thinking about the year ahead. (Well, that and working off last night’s carrot cake.) Not typically being one who makes resolutions, the plan was to come back with a few ideas for a vision board; with all my goals and dreams for the coming year and (hopefully) the law of attraction on my side.
According to the law of attraction, our thoughts create and bring to us that which we are thinking about, as if the universe is listening and responding in kind. Who knows for sure… but it must be worth a shot, right?
Envisioning what I want 2013 to look like, I couldn’t help but think of my friend, Hillary, who plans a one word theme for ever year. While a vision board is meant to be done without too much conscious thought, a word theme is meant to give encouragement to refocus throughout the year.
As I walked and thought about the year ahead, my one word theme appeared in my thoughts. Could it be that the law of attraction is working its magic already? Perhaps mine is not the deepest or most inspiring of words, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. My word for 2013 is take.
Taking is not in my comfort zone. Taking was reserved for people who cared only about themselves, who pushed others aside to get to the top. Lately, however, I have come to realize that you can take without taking away. Taking implies action. It implies initiative. The past couple of years have been for evolving and developing. Yet in just a matter of days, 2013 will be here for the taking.
Take care.
Take initiative.
Take time.
Take steps.
Take part.
Take apart.
Take interest.
Take responsibility.
Take aim.
Take the lead.
Take a chance.
Do you plan a vision board or a one word theme for the year ahead? If you don’t have a word of your own yet, here are a few that might inspire you:
Jeannine at Live in the Moment has chosen embrace.
Intentional is Tiffany Harper’s one word theme for the year ahead.
Rani at Om She Said is using move has her one little word.
And this year, Janel at Run With Scissors will be brave.
Of course, you can always use my word too. Just consider it yours for the taking.
My word for 2013 is NOW!
What’s better than NOW???
I love this post, Jessica!! I haven’t created my theme for the year yet. I do see 2013 as a very proactive year. I like the word intentional. I want to make next year happen on purpose.
Intentional is perfect for you, Annie. Live the year with intention. Love it!
Found your post through Angela England, who also suggested the word for the year. Mine is “grace”. I even found a little plant poke that I am going to use in a fern on my desk to remind me everyday. More Grace to myself and more grace to others because of God’s grace to me.
I live the idea that you have a daily reminder of your word right in front of you. I’m still working on my vision board but it sits right over my desk so hopefully soon I’ll have one too.
Annie shared your post and I’m so glad i clicked through! Mine is Purpose for 2013. I plan to do everything with a purpose, hopefully to benefit others constantly. Love the concept of this and hope to envision my own creativity in a new, fresh, positive way. Love your post!
I love “purpose” as a theme for the year. That’s a terrific choice! I can’t wait to see our posts at the end of the year to learn about how we’ve all done with our words. Happy new year!
“Take” is an excellent choice for you. I know very well that you’ll be taking action, but this puts it in a new perspective. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for you!
It’s only day three of the new year, but so far I’ve taken some steps that I probably wouldn’t have had I not chosen this word. Thanks, Connie!
it’s funny. When I first saw “take” I thought “really? TAKE? Jessica’s all about giving? How? What? But then you went on to define it and, in doing so, gave “take” an entirely different meaning that’s one of beauty.
Thanks, Julie. That means the world to me.
What you said about being able to take without taking away is so powerful. I love that. Thank you for the reminder.
Hi Jessica,
I love this post! I totally live in that magical world of thoughts creating reality; so I totally get doing vision boards. Thanks so much for bringing this more to the masses.
xo
Estelle
Take hold of 2013! Perfect.
My word for 2012 was expansion – expansion of my identity, expansion of my relationships, expansion of my world view. The Universe gave me expansion – I am now living and teaching in Taiwan. I didn’t even have a passport when 2012 began, but I invited expansion into my life and I have been blessed with expansion in so many ways! My profound experience with my word this year makes picking a word for 2013 seem…well, heavy. I have picked energy as my word for 2013. I have thought about it, meditated on it, practiced breathing it, living it, sitting with it. I auditioned other words – surrender, acknowledgement, permission, allowance, illumination, and vibrant – but energy is the one I am really excited about. I look forward to defining how and in what ways I can invite it into my life. Thanks for the post! I really enjoyed reading it and seeing others words. May 2013 be a wonderfully abundant year for us all. Peace!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with bringing energy into the new year. I think that’s a terrific word. Do everything this year with abundant energy!