One Little Word for 2013

I chose Order as my one-word theme for 2010, and in 2011 my word was Fullness. My word for 2013 came to me almost as an epiphany, shortly after Winter Solstice, when my friend Louise posted this as her Facebook status: "May the literal return of light be a metaphor for our hearts."

My word is actually three interrelated words:

(en)light(en)

light
n.
1: the natural agent that stimulates sight and and makes things visible; a source of illumination
2: understanding of a problem or mystery; enlightenment; spiritual illumination by divine truth
v.
1: provide with light or lighting; illuminate
2: make (something) start burning; ignite
adj.
1: of little weight; easy to lift
2: gentle or delicate
3: requiring little mental effort; not profound or serious

lighten
v.
1: make or become lighter in weight, pressure, or severity
2: make or become lighter or brighter

enlighten
v.
give (someone) greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation; give (someone) spiritual knowledge or insight

I think these words cover a multitude of concepts I want to explore or accomplish in 2013. Covering the spectrum from literal to figurative, from mundane to extraordinary, among those ideas are faith ("For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."), sunshine, frivolous fun (Lighten up!), learning and experiencing new things, weight loss, and decluttering. I'm not yet finished contemplating the word Fullness, either, and I think that the verbs Light and Lighten also relate to my thoughts about mindfulness and living deliberating.

Have you chosen a one-word theme for the year?

Quote of the Day

"There is always a reason to dance."

~Anne Lamott

Source: Los Angeles Times, December 16, 2012.

Quote of the Day

"I still find each day too short for
all the thoughts I want to think,
all the walks I want to take,
all the books I want to read,
and all the friends I want to see."

~John Burroughs

What Happy People Do Differently

Quote of the Day

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."

~Barack Obama in 2012,
quoting Abraham Lincoln

Stretching

One of my personal commandments is Stretch, and one application of that commandment is to take advantage of opportunities to learn something new - something that I'm trying to do on a regular basis.

Today I read a blog post, which referred to the book Lists To Live By, and I saw the following list of ways to become a lifelong learner:

1. Start with your attitude.
2. Ask questions.
3. Join others.
4. Check out the other side.
5. Read broadly.
6. Keep a journal.
7. Experiment.
8. Apply what you know.

I think I was born asking questions - and my inner two-year-old is alive and well: Why? Why? Why? Avid reading is something else I've always done - though sometimes probably not as broadly as I ought. Lately I've been thinking a lot about journaling, about putting my thoughts on paper (or in cyberspace), about telling my own story - and I want to do more of that.

Which of these ideas is most compelling to you?

One Little Word for 2012

Fullness
full·ness \ˈfo͝olnis\

noun : the state of being filled to capacity

• the state of having enough or more than enough


• the state of being complete or whole


• (in or alluding to biblical use) all that is contained in the world

Phrases — the fullness of one's heart : POETIC/LITERARY overwhelming emotion; in the fullness of time : eventually

Synonyms — plenty, abundance; completeness, wholeness

Antonym — emptiness

(NOTE: There is more information in the original post on my "regular" blog.)