I'm Gonna "Shine": 2012 Word of the Year

Boy, has the new year started off bumpy!  My husband's grandfather passed on December 29 but due to funeral arrangements was not buried until January 3.  Then my 9-month-old daughter contracted RSV and had to spend the night in the hospital.  Needless to say, the last week and a half has felt like a decade and a half and I am already off of my blogging schedule for the new year. I pinky promise to do better. 

For the last couple of years, I have chosen a word of the year instead of the same old resolutions.  In 2010, the word was "more" and in 2011 it was "faith."  This year I have chosen the word "shine."

Shine. 

Arise and shine. 

She took a shine to him. 

I am going to work hard to shine in all the areas of my life...at home, at work, in the lives of my kids, etc.  And as far as my artwork, I am going to shine by using more glitter.  Tee hee! 

To keep me inspired and to remind  me to shine, I purchased a Shine necklace from Ashley.  One dollar from the purchase of each Shine necklace goes to The Shine Project Scholarship Fund to help inner city kids go to college.  I liked my necklace so much that I ended up buying two more for Christmas gifts. The initial necklace came with the shine charm, rose charm and a pearl.  I personalized my with a charm I made.  It's a piece of vintage lace pressed between two pieces of glass.  I love it!

Here are some quotes using my 2012 word of the year.

• As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence actually liberates others. ~ Marianne Williamson

• Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish. ~ John Jakes

• Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas. ~ Henry Ford

• I see heaven's glories shine and faith shines equal. ~ Emily Bronte

• Let God's promises shine on your problems. ~ Corrie Ten Boom

• The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Shine on!

2010 Word-of-the-year: MORE

A fresh start. A clean slate. Square one. Here we begin not only a new year but a whole new decade. Ooooh, the possibilities!

Recently, I came across in my blog reading the concept of a “word-of-the-year” on Christine Kane’s blog. There are so many of us that make new year’s resolutions that fail by Jan. 5. “I’m going to lose 10 pounds.” “I’m going to exercise more.” “I’m going to give up sweets.” Yeah, right! We’ve all been there before however, having a word-of-the-year is different.

Kane’s concept is to find a word that you will live up to for the year instead of setting yourself up to fail with another unimaginative resolution. Ideally, the word-of-the-year is an action word such as change, expand or create. Or it can be a noun like abundance, courage or freedom. The beauty of the word-of-the-year is that you own it, whatever word you choose. For me personally, I chose the word “more.”

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

more (adverb):
1 a: in addition b : moreover 2 : to a greater or higher degree —often used with an adjective or adverb to form the comparative

more (adjective):
1" greater 2: additional, further

This year I am going to in no particular order:

• Love more
• Give more
• Volunteer more
• Dance more
• Blog more
• Take more photos
• Cook more home-cooked meals
• Save more
• Create more
• Spend more time with my family
• Work more efficiently
• Exercise more
• Eat more healthier options
• Drink more water
• Read more
• Live more
• Be more!

Here's to getting more out of your life in 2010!