Last year was epic for me and my family. I don’t use that word flippantly, either. Seriously Epic.
But let me back up a bit. Last year I selected my One Little Word – Embrace.
I wanted to hold my heart open t embrace new experiences and changes…and to do so gracefully.
Now, for those who may not know what’s been going on, here’s a little list of some of those epic changes:
- I started working on HSN on LIVE TV.
- I had serious infection that landed me in the hospital.
- I traveled to Florida, Hawaii, California, and the Bahamas. 🙂
- My husband and I designed a deck and had it built over the summer.
- I had surgery over the summer.
- My husband wrote a book! (And yes, I’m in it.)
- I finally realized that my chronic back pain was something to pay attention to and got a very sobering diagnosis.
- We welcomed a foreign-exchange student into our home and hearts.
See? SO MUCH.
I’ve been thinking and thinking about my OLW for 2014, and after thinking it over for days, I’ve come up with two.
The firs is MOXIE.
mox·ie (mks)
n. Slang
1. The ability to face difficulty with spirit and courage.2. Aggressive energy; initiative: “His prose has moxie, though it rushes and stumbles from a pent-up surge” (Patricia Hampl).3. Skill; know-how.
I also like the word METTLE.
met·tle (mtl)
n.1. Courage and fortitude; spirit: troops who showed their mettle in combat.2. Inherent quality of character and temperament.Idiom:
on (one’s) mettle
Prepared to accept a challenge and do one’s best.
To be honest, I’ve got a lot more work to do to deal with my back issues, and I’m surely going to have to prove my mettle. And my husband is traveling this year more than ever, which will test my moxie as well.
I really love the part of the definition that speaks to “spirit and courage.”
And then there is that part about skill & kn0w-how. I mean, isn’t that what I’m working for every day here on CraftTestDummies? To improve my know-how and share it with you?
So there it is. I’m gonna MOXIE up and show my METTLE and get in gear for 2014.
Do you have a One Little Word? I’d be honored if you shared yours below.
As always, thanks for being here and sharing this amazing journey with me!
With Moxie and Mettle,
Jenny
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Glenda says
I’ve never done the one little word before. Thought about it for days. Read what others are using and why. But I keep coming back to the word Breathe. When anxious or upset, I need to remember to just breathe deeply. It’s always easier to think more rationally with a full head of O2. Love your words. Haven’t heard them in a long time. Reminds me of John Wayne movies. Great art journal page. Thanks for sharing all your work. I look forward to your videos and reviews. They are excellent. I will keep you in prayer for your back problems to resolve successfully.
Susie F says
I’m sorry you are having back issues. I know several people that do and I know it’s very painful. Best wishes to you this year.
Vicki says
Great words! One year I had three of them PUSH, CHANGE, GROW but they kind of all tied together.
We have lots of catching up to do, big changes for both of us. Looking forward to CHA!!
kay iverson says
ponder…that’s my word for 2014 and no, i have not taken the time to look up its definition.
my inspiration is from mary, the mother of jesus, whose world was rocked when the angel visited her re: the birth of jesus.
even though i have social skills, i am a very private person. i ponder a lot. it gives me time to think and feel deeply. my hope is to have all this pondering help me take the good with the bad, and to see all the goodness that surrounds me, and to offer that to my world.
now i’m going to run to my dictionary and look it up!
Jengd says
I’m going with Move this year and tying it to what I had 2yrs ago- Forward.
Dale Rose Stream says
My work, which I adopted last year, is BETTER. I am continuing with this word this year since it worked well for me…. I hadn’t thought of adding other words. Great idea! I pray that your health issues ease! You ROCK! STAY WARM! I know it helps me with my pain.
Mary Lee says
I’m sorry you’re having back pain. I have a lot of arthritis, but I know it’s not near as debilitating as back issues for a young wife and mother. I feel good about the life I lead and lived. I know you will too. And I celebrate your husband; how exciting for him. Post the title and I’ll bet some of your fans would buy copies just cuz it’s your hubby’s.
Cindy deRosier says
What fun choices! My OLW for 2014 is Enjoy.
StampinPenguin says
I’m going with MUSIC. I neglected music for many years while learning ASL. Our church has a new, very professional, music director who is teaching us how to play the hand bells and chimes I’ll see where Music takes me again this year.
Candie)ce Schwark says
My word is a repeat of last year (is that legal?…not sure there is a word-of-the-year police person). Anyway, my word is F O C U S…..I tend to get myself into SO many things, that I am not sure I’m an expert in anything. Maybe that’s why I like to teach…..I may not have to finish something, but I can share the process – the techniques. Anyway, I will try to be better and FOCUS – in my faith, my family, my art, and things to be done around the house. Now, just look at that list……hmmm…..maybe I should make my word(s) NARROW FOCUS, eh? LOL
Happy New Year!!
Kathie Bendinelli says
Just wanted to add to the definitions of Moxie it is a drink that was popular in the Boston area. Don’t know if they still make it, but you had to have Moxie to drink Moxie!
Kim T says
I’ve jumped on the “word for the year” bandwagon and have chosen BRAVE … I am a worrier and allow fear to take over, so 2014 is all about being brave, being enough. Look forward to all you have to share in 2014 and good luck with your back!!
Alice aka VintageGal18 says
My OLW is ACCOMPLISH
Veralynne says
I have been wrestling with words for the new year. Last year it was growth…and I can say I had an epic year…I lost both my parents 4 months apart, then my husband shattered his right ankle and was in the hospital for 3 months, then laid up at home for about 3 more….so I think this year my word is “continue” I will continue to grow, I will continue my search for my “niche” in the jewelry world, I will continue to deal with my husbands issues, as he is diabetic also, I will CONTINUE! I know God has a plan, I am just not sure yet of what it is…or the time for me to KNOW is not at hand yet…
Good luck with your back…I have arthritis and I have issues every day!
Brenda says
I love this idea! I always start the New Year with a goal but have never thought of giving my goal a distinctive name.
I think my word for this year is MANIFESTATION. I have a lot of creative ideas and aspirations that only live inside my head. This year I need to translate those creative urges, aspirations and ideas into tangible objects and actions.
man·i·fes·ta·tion
?man?f??st?SH?n,-?fes?t?SH?n/Submit
noun
1.
an event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, esp. a theory or an abstract idea.
May the MOXIE and METTLE be with you this year!
Carolina says
What an awesome and truly epic year you’ve had! So much to celebrate, and some other stuff…
I’m loving your words of the year. I think that you’ve got Moxie. Probably a word I’ve used to describe you before. And I mean that as a compliment, of course!
My word of the year is Forward. Moving forward, being forward, and thinking forward. 😀
Cat says
Never had a OLW before so I have a lot of work to do! I am going to start out simple…my word is going to be BELIEVE, as in believe in myself, believe my.art is good enough, believe that I will overcome my struggles at work… Anyways, sorry you are having back problems. I feel your pain, I’ve had back problems since a work injury in1980 and had a lumbar laminectomy in 1983. Surgery worked great for me (I was lucky) but the years since have taken their toll. I don’t wish chronic back troubles on anyone. Physical therapy, specifically traction, would put me back together every time the darn back went out! Hang in there as there are a lot of people depending on you, like your fans out here in the cyber world. I love your product reviews and videos! You do a great job on HSN as well! Hugs!