Hi Friend,
It’s that time of year when I ask you, “what’s your word for next year?” I’ve been setting this intention for over a decade, and I love to see how it plays out each year. For 2021 I chose the word “play.” I chose play because I have a habit of taking things way too seriously. Like every decision I make has life or death consequences — which is rarely the case. Ten days into this year I received a puppy for my birthday. Nothing says play like a 10-week-old Labrador Retriever! Titus turned one in November, and he’s still as playful as the day I got him. I feel like he gives me permission to act silly and do things I normally wouldn’t make time for like chasing him around the table, talking to him like he’s a baby, or skipping when we go for walks. I buy him endless amounts of toys — knowing they’ll be ripped to shreds within minutes — because I love to see the look on his face when I give it to him. Excitement and wonder permeate his entire being. That’s what play looks like, and I can’t get enough of it. Here are a few things to consider when picking your word: There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing your word for the year. It just needs to be meaningful to you. I would caution you, however, not to choose the first word that leaps into your head – unless you really love it. There’s no need to be loyal to something random just because it comes up first. Reflecting on what you want your new year to look like is an awesome endeavor. Choose wisely.
Once you choose your word, write it down somewhere (journal, sticky note, calendar, etc.). Think of it from time to time, but don’t fixate. This is a yearlong process. It’s been my experience that the true essence of the word and what it means for me usually becomes apparent in the last three to four months of the year. Think of it like planting a seed in spring, letting it grow through the summer months, and reaping the harvest in the fall. “Patience, young grasshopper” (this is a nod to the 1970s TV show Kung Fu in case you forgot).
Be open to all the possibilities that are available to you. You’d be surprised how one word can make a world of difference in your life!
Do you pick a word for the year? I’d love to know what you’ve chosen – past and present. Feel free to respond to this email or join our growing community on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthandwellnesswithkathleenogar Wishing you a happy, healthy, and vibrant new year, | 
