One Word
One Word.
It’s a challenge.
Literally.
What one word would you want to set your mind and focus on for a whole year? Which word of all words might direct your heart in 2022? What could possibly recenter you all day and all night when life’s navigational GPS has you all over the place? I mean, that’s the idea behind a One Word challenge. Is there such a word?
I’ve just never been one to establish New Year’s resolutions because I’ve never been one to volunteer myself for failure. Three years ago, the first One Word challenge was presented and I wasn’t going to accept that either. I mean, I don’t mind a good challenge, just not that one.
This just seems to require something of me that I’ve yet to conquer in my whatever years.
It played out differently. There was a niggling word that was undeniably present in thought and word that wouldn’t let go. So, I chose it. I mean, I think it chose me, but I went with it. Unsure whether the next year would renew my steadfast commitment, another new word came a niggling. I chose it, too. Then this year’s word served to focus and refocus me. And, what is now becoming an annual challenge, is once again before me.
I’m never certain of my commitment level from one year to the next. You know, like a trend that might die out. But, if that’s going to be true, I don’t think this is that year.
In the course of my writing, outside the safety of my journal, I dared to share a picture and song that reminded me how I needed to be. Still! This got me to thinking whether I should settle upon such a word for the upcoming year.
The next day, I’m leaving my gym and a sweet new member, whom I’ve yet to have the pleasure of knowing, hands me something before I leave. It was a coloring book she had written and illustrated. She just wanted to give me a copy. It was titled, Finding Stillness, by Twyla Stewart. You could say, my attention was peaked. But, for just cause, right?
No less than 48 hours came Christmas Day. My daughter wrapped a gift she admitted picking for me last year but saved it until this year. I opened it. It was a gold bracelet with a charm. Wouldn’t you know, it was engraved. Be Still.
I don’t know where you stand on a challenge such as this. If it’s up to you, maybe there’s a niggling word around. Though sometimes, I feel that maybe it’s not up to me. This particular time I feel for this One Word challenge that it’s just meant to be.
Still.
Psalm 46:10