My word of 2023 was Trust. Little did I know when the word was given to me in December 2022 how much I would need to lean on that word. I thought at the time that I needed the word (or rather, the spiritual practice that became my mantra and source of grounding) in a professional sense. I discerned a shift in my call and took a huge leap of faith, trusting that it would all work out. (It did. Praise The Lord!)

Moreso I needed trust to help me through a myriad of health issues related to long-covid. I learned that healing takes a lot longer than the schedule in my mind permits. My health struggles limited me in my ability to do things and I had to ask for help, and be willing to accept it. I learned to trust others more with things I used to only do myself. It wasn’t easy, but I am incredibly thankful for my friends and family who helped me survive and navigate each new obstacle.

So here we are in January 2024, and the reveal for my word of the year.

strength.

I sat on the couch a LOT in 2023. Recovering, lazing about, feeling sad about all the things I couldn’t do….resting from the health/mental trauma I endured. I tried to exercise but my PTSD from the health concerns won over time and time again. Then the darkness of daylight savings time hit, and it was rougher than any other year I can remember on my mental health.

A coach I worked with a few years ago would always ask this question: “What do you need MORE of?” As I was considering my word for 2024 I thought of this question and the answer was clear: strength.

So, in 2024 I will be lifting weights and doing strength training exercises for my body in hopes of nurturing some physical strength. And I’ll be doing more mindfulness practices and creative endeavors to attend to my mental health.

My hope is that throughout 2024, no matter what obstacles come, I will develop physical and mental strength to parallel the spiritual strength I gained last year from actively practicing trust. May it be so.

What is your word of the year? How do you decide what it will be?