I went back and forth on whether I wanted to share my word of the year on the blog this year. After much debating, I decided that I wanted to share it, because not only is it encouraging to me, but I think it can be encouraging for you, too.
The truth is, I was debating on not sharing my word, because last year I really didn’t think I lived out my word of the year well. Last year, my word of the year was “bold”. I have always been an introverted and reserved person, but with pursuing blogging, becoming bold is an important quality to develop.
At the beginning of last year, I was ready to tackle the year head on. I was motivated and encouraged to really check some big goals off of my list. I knew that in order to do that, I had to be bold. And I was ready to be bold.
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But, then a huge life transition was thrown my way – we were moving, because Michael (my husband) got a new job. Moving to a new place was a very exciting and happy time, because we wanted something new for awhile then, but before I knew it, I found myself very overwhelmed. When I get overwhelmed I tend to step back, hide away, and procrastinate. I get stuck in my head, swallowed by my doubts, and start to retreat back into my comfort zone.
A couple months after our move, I was still in the process of discovering my new normal. At the start of last year, a large part of my goals for my blog was to monetize one-on-one with brands. With the move, that put everything on hold for a good month and a half. I was beyond discouraged and somedays I even hated myself for not attempting to keep things going during that time of transition. I would beat myself up with my thoughts and sometimes, even verbally with my words. I didn’t feel like I took one bold step those months and instead of fighting my way back to becoming bold, I decided to become stagnant.
Somewhere along the way, I decided to step back out into living more boldly. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t comfortable. I had some really bad days, but I also had some really good days. I decided to have grace on myself. I decided to give myself a second chance and it was then when I started to understand the word “bold” in a different way.
[bctt tweet=”Somewhere along the way, I decided to step back out into living more boldly. ” username=”SummerTelban”]
So, did I live out a bold life in 2017? I say yes. Yes, I lived out a bold life last year. Was it the kind of boldness I initially set out for? Not really – but it was still boldness nonetheless.
Now, it’s time to share my word of the year for 2018 with you.
“RISE”
I wasn’t sure if I was going to choose a word for this year, but when we were on vacation, the word “rise” kept popping into my head over and over. That’s when I knew that I had to make it my word!
Last year, I retreated into stagnancy many times, but that’s not what I want for myself. I know that I am capable of so much more than what I’ve settled for. So, this year is the year that I rise.
[bctt tweet=”This is the year that I RISE.” username=”SummerTelban”]
Here are some quotes and scriptures that I’ve printed out to hang in my office to keep me inspired and encouraged all year long. I hope they can speak to you as much as they do to me.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
“You’ve seen my descent. Now watch my rising.” – Rumi
[bctt tweet=”You’ve seen my descent. Now watch my rising. – Rumi” username=”SummerTelban”]
“It’s OK if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure that when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire.” – Colette Werden
“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be a light to me.” – Micah 7:8
“The comeback is always stronger than the setback.”
How about you – do you have a word of the year? If so, please share with me what it is! If not, do you think you’ll choose one? Let’s chat!
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