Making a Change for the New Year, Choose a Word.

​Written by:  Jennifer Tofaeono, Executive Director
                As we welcome the new year, I reflect at what was accomplished, to identify where I or my staff are headed.  During the process, I determine a “word” that will help me to stay focused over the new year.  I first read about this concept in a blog series and have embraced the process. I get excited when people share the steps to change. The blogger communicated the work as being introspective, sitting by a fire with trusted friends/family, and unpacking who you were that year, and where you want to go the next.  
Every year, I ponder what should I embrace more of in my life, and what should I let go?  What are the characteristics that I would like to have, or strengthen in the following year—always be positive.  My second step is to “visualize” what would give me strength, is it people that surround me, is it what I would like my days to be filled with, or how do you want to feel when you lay down at the end of the day.  You can begin to find your word first thing in the morning, or fill your room with beautiful scents that provide you peace.  I find playing music in the background can help me to become grounded and centered through the process.  The last thing I do is to create a list of words that just come to mind.  I sometimes use a thesaurus to help me decipher what I feel fits my thoughts at that time. This is where the hard part comes in, allow yourself to feel excited, nervous, and maybe uncomfortable about the words.  The words you list may seem daunting, or difficult, but remember change is a challenge.  Create a list of the words that pop into your head. Over the years I have chosen “fulfilled”, and “roar”.  Other’s that I have worked with chose “empathy”, “encouraged”, “embrace”, and the list continues.
The last step is crucial to the success of you carrying your word through the year.  Ask yourself, how committed or how interested are you in your word? If you chose “interested”, I would suggest you find another word that you are “committed” to making change.  You can choose more than one word if you like, but I would urge you to chose no more than three.  When you chose your word, you’ll discover that it will guide you through the year.  I chose a sentence and place it on the end of my email to remind myself of my word.  I post it on my wall in my office to ensure I see it visually every morning I head to work.  I place it in the front of my calendar and label every month with my word to ensure I see it while I am planning.  It is my hope that the word you chose will help you to bring intention, focus, clarity to your life, to allow you to live your best life. 
My word is “resolute” for 2023.