I’ve always found the topic of choosing a “word of the year” so interesting ever since the day I first was introduced to it.

Back in December of 2017, I was on a mission to truly find clarity for my purpose in not only life, but also my professional career. It felt like no matter where I was or what I was doing I felt unfulfilled. I wanted to be a mama so badly, but that wasn’t happening. I wanted a career that got me excited to jump out of bed, but instead felt like a zombie. Yet every single person on the outside thought I had it all together with a perfect life living a dream.

Funny how that works isn’t it?

We always want what we don’t have.

Goodness I remember that so well growing up when the boy I “loved” never “loved” me back. (I say that in quotes because let’s be real, it wasn’t love but I digress.) That feeling of rejection back in 6th grade was the first ping that set the tone for the rest of my life. Being rejected. Feeling rejected.

It’s the epitome of what makes women feel less than enough.

Like we don’t live up to these expectations of life. The expectations that we set for ourselves.

We are so quick to wish we have something different or the life of another woman that we easily miss out on the blessings sitting right in front of us.

Can I get an amen?! Because my oh my do I need to speak this truth into my own life every.single.day.

Which to me, is why choosing a word of the year to live by is so so important. It’s that daily reminder of the purpose you want to live out. And to become the person you were created to be.

Life is such a journey. Finding our purpose is such a journey. But I believe that when we step into that journey with an abundance mentality and God at the center of it all, it’s a beautiful-chaotic journey.

Why a word of the year

The first “word of the year” I ever chose for myself was back in 2017 while I sat on a plane making my way back to Wisconsin from one of the first business conferences I ever went to. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about flying high above the clouds while looking down on the hustle-and-bustle of the world that frees space in my heart to dream big.

And that’s when I felt it: curiosity. That was how I wanted to live out 2018 and wow has that been so true. Here are the exact words I wrote in my journal on that day:

“Without a doubt I know my word for 2018 is curiosity. I am so eager to learn, to soak in wisdom from others, to take risks. Which is crazy to say because I’ve never been a risk taker. But here I am so excited by the inspiration the word curiosity is speaking to me.”

And guess what, I 100% lived 2018 in full curiosity. A year full of highs and lows, beauty and sadness. You name it. Curiosity was everything.

Related: You can read more of my story here

But for 2019, it hasn’t been so easy to find a word that speaks to me. I went from contentment to steadfast, simplify to energy. Yet nothing really spoke deeply into my heart as an anthem to how I wanted to live out each and every day.

Until it did: generosity.

I want to be generous with my time, energy and money.

My fear with this is what if I’m generous with my time and I don’t leave enough time for my loved ones? What if I’m generous with my energy and don’t fill my own cup up first? What if I’m generous with my money and can’t provide enough for our financial need?

But then I remember, what if I’m so generous with my time that it allows others to be served in ways they’ve never imagined? What if I’m so generous with my energy that not only do I fill my own cup, but it overflows to others? And most importantly, what if I’m so generous with my money that God provides in ways I could have never imagined because I’m sharing His blessings with others?

Yes, that—that I can live by.

And that is why generosity is the first thing I pray about every morning. Why I speak gratitude into every day. And am seeking this life of full abundance with generosity.

TELL ME

Have you ever chosen a word of the year? If so, why is it important to you and how do you incorporate it into your life? Feel free to share you word of the year in the comments below and why this is so important to you during this season of your life.

*Featured Image by Bethanne Arthur Photography at the 2018 Creative at Heart Conference