One WordMizFit, one of my internet heroes, recently had a post up about finding a one-word mantra. She held a contest and gave away a bracelet bearing that one word for her commenters. I wish I could also offer a bracelet, but I figure the idea is excellent enough to repost even without there being a reward involved.
One Word.
I don’t think I’m capable of choosing a single word, any more than I’m capable of choosing a single perfume. The word that would impact me the most would change depending on my mood and the circumstances of my life at the time.
But I could narrow it down.
My Words
Which words inspire me? If I could have a small collection of bracelets or rings, and wear them to remind me of my goals and the person I want to be, what words would I choose?
- SERENITY – to remind myself to seek stillness and peace. That movement is not always growth, and to live in the moment.
- GROWTH – to remind myself to seek out good change. To practice and strive to better myself.
- POWER – to remind myself that I am powerful, and that I control my own destiny. My life is shaped by my choices.
- BELIEVE – to remind myself of the magic all around me and to nurture the sense of curiosity and wonderment that fuel my imagination.
One of MizFit’s commenters used the word SPARK which I really like and could possibly replace POWER and BELIEVE and GROWTH for me. I need to roll it around in my head and see where it fits first.
I also really liked BREATHE and BALANCE and STRENGTH and LAUGH and LOVED (we should all remember that we are loved – too often we focus on the negative in our lives without remembering the positives.
There are so many superb options – even narrowing it down is difficult.
Your Words
What about you guys? You don’t have to justify your word if you don’t want to, but think about it. What single word would you want to constantly be reminded of?
Honored. Truly.
For your kind kind words about me/my site.
My word (today anyway :)) is EPHEMERAL.
it all is.
both the good and the bad.
@Miz
Honored to have you stop on by, as well! If I could shovel readership at you like snow, I would! *grins* Not that you need it.
EPHEMERAL? Sounds sleek and fleeting. Makes me think of silk scarves blowing in the wind, and the spicy scent of sandalwood and jasmine.
Lord this is hard.
Ummmm
Here are a few…obviously subject to whims and mood:P
Rebirth
Change
Foundation
Goddess
@Bre
Oooh, I’d love to know the meanings those hold for you, if you’d be comfortable enough to email them to me. <3
I don’t know if I have a word which I want to be reminded of specifically, but the one word I probably SHOULD have placed in plain sight and applied repeatedly to my forehead is pretty simple:
Breathe
An unfortunate amount of my time is spent dealing with my own personal reactions to the fight/flight response. I’m scared of bugs, I’m scared of failure, I hate paladins omg. Little things or big, they take up entirely too much of my mental space just because I REact without my brain actually kicking in. And it happens all the time.
I can sometimes catch myself before I really get started and swan dive off the panic-cliff, but it’s something I really need to work on.
If I were to pick a second, I would probably choose:
Kindness
As I’ve commented several times in the formation of my blog, I’m not always a terribly nice person. But this is different. It’s a little too easy for me, in fun or in serious, to push humor just a bit too far beyond where it’s fun for everyone and it becomes hurtful. I’m not always terribly good at seeing that coming (my emotional depth perception isn’t so hot) so I think I need the reminder that kindness is one of those unalloyed good things. It doesn’t hurt me, doesn’t put me out, not too difficult… but at the same time, it can do a world of good for someone else.
One word. A single word to act as a focus….
I generally go with a phrase, but if I could only choose one word….
Here are a few, depending on whats going on.
Snafu
Consequences
Peace
Wind
I think I’ve cheated, bu in defense, I did not know last summer that such a blog post would ever exist, so I excuse myself.
I have a bracelet of sorts already – DFTBA is tattooed around my right wrist. Is that a word? Can it count for a word?
Anyhoo: Don’t Forget to be Awesome.
@Dechion
Oh, I LOVE the “wind” word. It conjured up so many mental images for me.
@Jov
I’m afraid of bugs, too. *hugs* GREAT words.
@TJ
Since when is cheating against the rules?
I think that counts as a word. It doesn’t have spaces, so that makes it a word.
I don’t think I could manage to be awesome all the time. I barely get by with periodic flashes of what could be considered awesome. Close Encounters With AwesomeKind, one might say.
I don’t think I could narrow it down to one word
Peace – Take time to let the cares of the world wash away. I’m in a Kung Fu Panda phase right now and I see Shifu trying to meditate “Inner Peeeeace…. In – In – Inner Peeeeace…”
Shine – We are all perfect just the way we are. Let that beauty shine through the mud of your bad day!
Faith – At the risk of sounding trite, If we only have faith all things are possible (for me there’s a “through God” at the end of the sentence but it works with out it too!)
@Lauren
I don’t think that sounds trite at all. <3
Your Shifu image totally made me laugh. Thank you!
And I LOVE “Shine”. Love love love.
The one I still can’t get over.
Father
It holds a very dear meaning to me.
As I read your post, I really couldn’t think of any inspiring, engrained, reminder words. As I read everyone else’s comments, I thought of one.
And because you know me, you may not be too surprised at my choice
CATURDAY
First off, it’s super silly and crazy. I really enjoy myself most when I get to be super silly. Because I’m a grown woman, there are many times when I have to be serious, responsible, reasonable, organized, friendly and not _too_ unusual. But I really feel my most confident when I’m just being fun and goofy. silly dance? dumb song? bad jokes? nerd shirts? purple hair? phrases of grand self importance? arguments with a computer? All of that for myself or with true friends is amazing. I always want more of that.
Also, Caturday is always the best day, for it is a day of relaxing, having fun, being absurd, sleeping in, naps in the sunshine, speaking lol, etc.
Also? On Caturday, it can be hugz tiem nao. I <3 hugz tiem
OH, btw, can The Asker steal your question? it will be for a good cause! ;]
@KristenSue
The Asker may always, and need not ask permission first! After all, I stole it fair and square myself!
Also, I love your reasoning behind Caturday.
Also the second – Epicuticular Wax.
@Byrd
Having read your paladin stories, this surprises me not at all.
Jov’s explanation behind BREATHE fits me fairly closely as well, however there’s a different word that thinking about your post made me realize I use quite often:
FORWARD
It may sound silly to some, but “Meet the Robinsons” struck a huge chord for me. It was the sign I was looking for, the kick in the arse I needed to start the process of good change.
You’re going to make mistakes in life. Everyone does. It’s what you do after you make the mistake that is important, not the mistake itself.
You have to keep moving forward, or you spend your life in the past. This word and phrase has helped me a lot with overcoming my tendency to dwell in the past and continue punishing myself for mistakes that I can’t change. I have a long ways to go, but I’m getting there.
Just by moving forward.
@Badkitteh
I LOVE that, and I agree – silly as it may seem, the movie hit a huge note with me on that, too. I tend to dwell so much on my failures…seeing people fail and move on is something I need to focus on instead. FORWARD. I love it!
Remember.
Earn.
Respect.
And one all to many people forget..
Courtesy.
@Rhotley
Love those. EARN strikes a chord with me, but I think RESPECT conjures up the most mental images for me.
Whenever my husband gets moody I put in Meet the Robinsons… KMF!
My word:
Hubris
:D
@Bonnie
KMF, indeed!
An interesting word choice!
Karma -
I totally believe that you get what you give- both good and bad. It reminds me to take responsibility for where I am at, accept that life is going to a mind of it own, and that I my actions will be returned. Keeping a positive attitude and giving to others in need keeps the happy giving wheel keep turning.
@Peedge
Great word, and great philosophy. I’m a huge proponent of personal power and responsibility. =]