Words! Words! Words! I am so sick of words!

Unlike Eliza Dolittle, I am NOT so sick of words, but I do hope that everyone recognizes the lyrics from My Fair Lady. Mark used to say that My Fair Lady was his favorite movie because he knew that I would sit and watch it with him. I used to think that this was unusual because, though I rarely sit still long enough to watch anything, there were several movies that I would watch with him. Secretly I think that perhaps it really was his favorite movie and he didn’t want to admit it…..??

Regardless of favorite movies, I have LOVED the list of words generated by my friends. Not only good words but good friends – thank you for being the people who think and feel and share. I am tempted to share favorites but instead will include the entire list at the end. I did like when Jackie suggested “whole” and my brother commented that this was related to the word “holy.” Good word!

I had thought to keep my 2025 word a secret just for myself… probably because I wouldn’t be accountable to anyone. Rather I am going to share my selection as well as that of my sister Lori.

I love the word “wonder” but Lori and I both know that we cannot use it. Our parents instilled us with a sense of awe and wonder; we then instilled it in our children. We live in awe and wonder. Choosing “wonder” would have just celebrated myself rather than progressing.

Initially the word “learn” jumped out to me and I was getting pretty excited about a good year of learning. I made a list of my phone – learning a variety of skills, history, science, geography… whatever. It sounded wonderful but Lori told me that it was like “wonder” and I do it already. After all, the first word in the title of this blog is “learning.” I disagree because what I do is learn from experience but now I am I looking for intentional learning.

Further reflection led me to think of “explore” and “discover.” I like them both but quickly ruled out explore because it seemed too open ended. Discovery is the end result of exploring and they both focus on learning… and so my 2025 word of the year is “Discover” and I am thrilled with my decision.

Now for Lori’s story. Several years ago – about the time that I was focused on “gratitude,” Lori focused on three words, “diligence, determination, dedication.” Twelve years later and she was chosen “determined” for 2025. I was letting her do that but she caught herself and her new words is better suited. It is “grow.”

I love this because, just like “discover,” it is multi-faceted. Personal growth is the most obvious to me. She is a gardener so growing comes naturally to her life. She has two degrees – ornamental horticulture and horticulture therapy. On the side she has been doing landscape design for years – but maybe averages one or two designs annually. She does good work and has repeat clients – not to mention that her husband is a talented landscape architect and able to back her up as needed. He works for an engineering firm and is involved in huge municipal projects. Lori’s work is residential and small business design. Her horticulture therapy studies have an added benefit of providing a space that is not only beautiful but beneficial.

What does “grow” have to do with landscape design? Well, she has decided to muster her courage and work full time on her design business which I believe is named Compass Rose. I love that name. I am sharing this because I think it is encouraging to all of us – we all have a need to GROW! What a great word! Best wishes for Lori in 2025 and best wishes to all of us, especially those of us who have chosen a special word or theme for our 2025 selves.

Off-topic… before I share our words I am going to insert a couple photos of bears. Why are bears so wonderful? The first is a bear that now adorns my desk and brings such joy. Handmade by my friend Danielle, she used to be our babysitter when we our boys were young. She would draw with them. Her entire family has more talent in their pinky fingers than I have in my entire body and they all use it to bring beauty into the world! She sent this to make sure that I had a hug for the holidays and I will serve its purpose all year long! The second photo is of triplet bears we bought last weekend as a shared souvenir to stay close to family though we are so far apart. Greg also got one but someone had to take the picture and his didn’t quite match…

Back to our topic – Yesterday I added a few new words to my list: Become, Resolute, Eager and Steadfast. It was cool to hear how many friends I have that already choose a new word each year. You are all amazing to me. Here is the list of words gathered over the past two days (beginning with mine (which y’all can skip) and enhanced by yours):

• Confidence
• Courage
• Diligent
• Trust (God) – I already work on this all the time. 
• Sacrifice
• Organized
• Reverent 
• Friend
• Listen
• Determined
• Selfless
• Optimism
• Focus
• Daily (I know what this means for me)
• Wonder (as in awe- I think I do this pretty well already)
• Power
• Connect
• Light 
• Learn
• Become
• Resolute
• Eager
• Steadfast
• NOW LET YOUR LIST BEGIN —- THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!! I have included repeat words – they must be really good! I love that no one said “skinny” or “rich.”
• Forgiveness
• Dedicated
• Integrity
• Try
• Confidence
• Direction
• Purpose
• Support
• Forgiveness
• Whole
• Humility
• Compassion
• Embrace
• Intent
• Light
• Service
• Helping
• Jesus
• Light Giver
• Choice
• Love
• Embrace
• Encourage
• Flourish
• Patience
• Peace
• Perseverance
• Intentional
• Present
• Grace
• Peace
• Steadfast
• Resilience
• Grounded
• Still
• Intention
• Focus
• Grace
• Atonement
• Understanding
• Serenity
• Perseverance
• Thankful
• Gratefulness

You can always add more and now we know where to go when we need help next year!

Happy New Year – let’s do what we can to make it a good one for ourselves and others!!