Word and Theme for 2019

My Word and Theme for 2019

For years I have chosen a word and theme for the coming year, and I am continuing this tradition for 2019. I won’t leave you in suspense; my one word for 2019 is ENERGY and my theme is ENERGETIC, STRATEGIC ENTHUSIASM. First, what do we mean by a “word and theme for 2019?”

Our life experience is defined by time. We think back to what we were doing during a specific year, as well as when we were at a certain job or attending school as an undergrad, or when we went to a special concert (I just saw “Bohemian Rhapsody” and was thinking about the three times I saw the band Queen perform live. It was long ago, but I am able narrow it down to the years 1982 – 1985.)

Individuals are not the only ones who choose a word and theme. For 2019 Merriam-Webster selected “justice” as their word of the year. Actually, it’s for 2018 but they have only revealed it during the last two weeks of the year. It was announced by Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster’s editor at large. Here is what he stated when asked by the Associated Press to share his choice:

The word “justice” consistently bubbled into the top 20 or 30 lookups on the company’s website, spiking at times due to specific events but also skating close to the surface for much of the year.

While it’s one of those common words people likely know how to spell and use correctly in a sentence, Sokolowski pointed to other reasons that drive search traffic. Among them is an attempt to focus a train of thought around a philosophical problem, or to seek aspirational motivation. Such well-known words are often among the most looked up every year, including those that are slightly abstract, including “love.”

You may read the entire article on Merriam-Webster’s word of the year here. It does not surprise me that this year’s word was motivated by our current political climate in the United States. But on another note, “Justify” is the name of the horse that became the thirteenth Triple Crown winner in June.

This year I was also inspired by Joanne Fink from Zenspirations is her recent post on choosing a word of the year. She says:

When I start my Word of the Year selection process, I usually do it alphabetically by writing down all the positive, uplifting words that I can think of which begin with the same letter.

Some of the words on my ‘short list’ for 2019 are understanding, delight, discipline, love, persistence, pleasure, practice, stillness, sanctification, and trust.

She then “letters” her selection of words until deciding on a single one to move forward with in her life and business.

My choice is to separate my political, horse racing, and artistic views from my work as an entrepreneur. So please allow me to share my thoughts behind my choices for my word and theme for 2019…

My single word for 2019 is ENERGY – I have noticed over the past several years that my level of energy is slightly higher than that of the people I am around on a regular basis. My inner clock and rhythm rocks at a higher frequency and intensity and I am aware that this may make others uncomfortable. This causes me to slow down my words and actions to fit in more with the group. NO MORE! My energy level is part of who I am, and changing that very special part of myself is not congruent with who I am and what I stand for. We must all be ourselves, even if that means alienating some. For by staying true to who I am I will undoubtedly be more appealing to those who resonate with my high energy level.

My theme for 2019 is ENERGETIC, STRATEGIC ENTHUSIASM. This means that I will consistently strive to use my energy in a strategic way to stimulate great enthusiasm in the people in my life. These people include my family members, friends, people in the two communities I call home, clients, students, and everyone else I encounter, either infrequently or with some regularity.

Life is short when we think about it in terms of what we have accomplished and what we still wish to achieve. There is no time to hold back, or to give in to what someone else has determined to be our course and path. Create and develop a strategy for turning your passions into reality. Cut loose, say what you’re thinking out loud, and go after your dreams enthusiastically, utilizing your energy as if you are super human (Spoiler Alert: You ARE!) And as you move closer to your destination, look for me with an outstretched hand encouraging you to step up to the life that is waiting for you.