One word
No improvement needed here—perfect as they are.
Improvement. That's my one word, and I'm sticking to it.
That one word is my response to a question posed yesterday on Facebook by SITS Girls, a network of bloggers I—and several other Grandma's Briefs readers—belong to, a network built around the idea that "The Secret to Success is Support".
The question SITS Girls asked its members yesterday: "What's the one word you hope defines 2012?"
I hemmed, hawed, considered (but never consulted) the thesaurus. Then I settled on improvement. Mostly because I desperately want, desperately need 2012 to be an improvement over 2011...and 2010 and 2009—the years that became so tough in so many ways since losing my job. The years that have been so tough for so many since losing jobs, losing retirement investments, losing savings of all sorts, and, for many, losing hope.
I thankfully never lost hope. Ever. And my hope for 2012 is that it's marked by my chosen word: improvement. Not just improvement in year-over-year as a whole, but improvement in nearly every single sector of my life.
I hope to see improvement physically. I need to eat better, exercise more, feel fit to function in far better ways than I have been.
I hope to see improvement financially. I have little gigs here and there that foster this improvement, but I need to improve my numbers—of gigs, of words written, of options. Mostly, I need to improve the numbers in my bank account.
I hope to see improvement in my home, and I have more home improvement projects on my plate than I care to admit. Accomplishing even just one or two would surely be an improvement, so success in this sector is a given. I hope.
I hope to see improvement in my piano playing, picture taking, recipe making, wrinkle erasing, and more.
I hope to see improvement in the quality of relationships I have, the friendships I maintain.
I hope to see improvement in the number of hours I spend reading—for enjoyment, not review or research.
I hope to see improvement in my ability to relax...without guilt...without reservation and unnecessary explanation.
And I hope to see improvement in the amount of time I devote to gratitude, thankfulness, appreciation. Of all I already have. All I already am. All I already can do and give and be.
Improvement takes work. And persistence, motivation, perseverance. And the ability to overcome frustration, as I'm sure I'll get frustrated along the way to improvement—frustrated with myself, with others, with circumstances beyond my control. (Especially with circumstances beyond my control, which makes me consider that I should really work on improving my need to control everything, too.)
With work, persistence and more, paired with hope—humongous heaps of high hopes—that one word will be mine. Improvement. In all areas. In this year over years past.
Improvement. That's my one word, and I'm sticking to it.
Photo of Bubby and Baby Mac: Shamelessly stolen from Megan's Facebook page.
Today's question:
As the SITS Girls asked, "What's the one word you hope defines 2012?"
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Reader Comments (14)
You have to be kidding me?! It's 6:10 am here and I'm only on my 2nd cup of coffee. I'm not a blogger or a wordsmith and I don't know if I'll have time to come back and visit later after struggling with this all day and night. Undoubtedly, it will keep me awake tonight.
sigh. There's no way I can define 2012 hopes in one word without cheating...or 'borrowing' your fabulous 'improvement' answer. (Although as always I think you're way too hard on yourself!)
So is it ok if I just share your awesome word? Improvement in all areas sounds magnificent...wait a second...I'll use that word for 2012...magnificent! Whew.
P.S. May I say that Baby Mac is the spitting image of you in this adorable pic?
What adorable grandchildren! I'm going to have to ponder the one word question. It's a good one to consider at the beginning of a new year.
Nonnie Kelly: Au contraire, my friend who swears she's no wordsmith. You are one of the most interesting wordsmiths I've come across...and I've come across many. It's perfectly acceptable to say your word is pffft!, on my question in particular—although I do think magnificent is more probable in your case. Have a magnificent year, my wordy friend!
Linda: Yes, those boys are so darn cute, aren't they? That photo was part of the series of family photos Megan and the gang had done. Fantastic photographer! (And mighty fantastic subjects, too, I must say.)
Growth - physically (Milo), emotionally (me and the SO), mentally (all of us).
I like the word improvement, and I think that could go for me, too. Another word that would work, though: drive. (No, not in a car!)
I would choose your word "improvement" and expect that, if you put it to a vote, most of us would settle for that word. But, I'll take "better" with sorta, kinda the same meaning, just not to be a copycat. And, specifically, better at: follow through on my good intentions, at eating healthy to be in better physical and mental shape, better at participating in life rather than just being an observer, better at stretching finances to the limit, better at communication, and, most of all, better at being truly thankful for all that I already have in the way of blessings. And, it's exhausting to realize that all this "betterment" is dependent on poor, little ol' ME! Whew!
Hi Lisa. My word was "progress", and I'm sticking to it; however, I would like to also borrow your word, "improvement". My health is not good and I need to take some serious measures toward improvement. Last night I sat in training at my new job and my back and knees were literally aching. It was hard. So I'm going to focus on getting the proper treatment and also taking better care of myself diet and exercise-wise. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
My apologies for using this forum as a confessional! Have a good day, my friend.
Very adorable picture of your grandsons!
I'd have to borrow improvement from you also.
recovery--six family deaths in three months requires recovery
Kaye: My heart and prayers go out to you, Kaye. I'm so sorry.
My one word is family. I am hoping that 2012 brings many opportunities to spend time with my family and really foster our family ties.
Improvement is a noble and difficult goal, Lisa.
I would choose...change (though sanity came in a close second)
Change is a central part of my world and with a life and household in turmoil change is always part of our lives. Change in how we relate in this crammed little world, change in financial circs, change in developing new projects.
Lisa, you are too hard on yourself. There are only so many hours in the day. You do so many things well. You don't have to do everything well.
My word for 2012 is 'priorities." You might want to consider adopting that one as well. I think I know what your top priority would be!
OK, so 3 days later while doing dishes I finally found my word. "Rewound". I desperately want to go back to the person I was 5 years ago. 2008 did not do good things for us in many ways but what it did most was let me get in a rut and into a why bother attitude about many things. I want to go back to the old me who reads, who learns, who keeps a cleaner home, who walks, who cooks better and more, who plays in her garden.... so many things!
Thanks for making me really think this out. We ARE going to have a better year! And I agree, I think Baby Mac looks like you!