I’m a quitter. I’m not ashamed. In fact, I’m proud to say I just celebrated my third year of throwing in the towel, and I have to admit, I’ve never been happier.
In 2017, I quit making New Year’s resolutions. Instead, like many of you, I choose a word to focus on throughout the year. The first two years, the words came easily, purpose and trust, but this year was more of a struggle . . . so much so that I told some friends maybe my word should actually be struggle!
Here’s the list of words I considered:
Strong
Pause
Change
Joy
Present
Patient
Hands
Resolve
Intentional
Assertive
Initiative
Persevere
All of them were good words, but there wasn’t one that really made me think, “Yes! That’s it. That’s my word.” If I’m going to commit to something for a year, I want to be excited about it.
On the Saturday before New Year’s, I was driving back to Columbia from Rock Hill, enjoying some peace and quiet since Jackson was asleep in the backseat, and thinking about my word dilemma. With January 1 fast approaching, I felt like I was running out of time to find the right word. I started flipping through radio stations listening for inspiration when I landed on Another One Bites the Dust. As I was rocking along, I heard the word determined and thought maybe that was the word I should choose. It seemed to be the common thread running through several of the words already on my list.
Determination is defined as the quality of being resolute or the firmness of purpose. As I thought about some of the things I want to accomplish this year, I knew determination would have to be the driving force pushing me to make changes and meet goals. Whether it’s being more present and patient at home, getting back in shape, or keeping the car clean, I have to be determined in my efforts.
As I got ready to write this post, I Googled the lyrics to see just exactly how the word was used in the song, and low and behold, y’all, the word is nowhere to be found in the lyrics! I have absolutely no idea how I heard it or where it came from, but I took it as a sign that determined should definitely be my word for the year.
Once I picked my word, I needed a plan for how to stay focused on it. Last year, I ordered one of the My Intent bracelets so I would have a constant reminder of trust. That worked for a few months, but then I took it off in the laundry room one day, and I guess it got buried under a pile of laundry or fell behind the washing machine because I haven’t seen it since. That, or it grew legs and ran off with all of the socks that disappear from the dryer!
This year, I decided to choose a Bible verse that reflected my word. I picked Galatians 6:9– Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. It’s a good reminder that we may get tired, but if we are determined to keep on keeping on, we will see results. I made it the background of my phone’s lock screen so that I can read it for encouragement whenever my determination begins to waver.
I also believe in the power of a theme song, so I picked one of those too. Another One Bites the Dust was the obvious choice, but I didn’t really know how a song about a guy mowing down people with a machine gun fit in to my life plan. However, something about Freddie Mercury’s confidence and powerful drumbeat stuck with me. Granted, I don’t want to knock off people who have wronged me, but I do want to knock items off my bucket list and take care of the goals I set.
While I was at the gym, I heard another song I thought would also make a killer theme song: This Is Me from The Greatest Showman soundtrack. If you haven’t seen the movie, you need to. This song’s connection to my word actually makes sense, as the movie depicts P.T. Barnum journey’s to create the greatest show on earth. Barnum is the epitome of determination, as he refuses to let limited funds, lack of customers, and even a fire stop him from making his dream come to life. I dare you to listen to the song and not feel fired up and inspired.
That’s a little bit about my word and how I’m keeping it at the forefront of my mind. I’m hoping if you’re reading this, you’ll hold me accountable to it throughout the year. If you chose a word, I’d love to hear what it is, why you chose it, and how you incorporate it into your daily life.
Happy New Year! Look out, 2019, ’cause here I come!