My #OneWord2012 : ADVENTURE

I am an enormous fan of fresh beginnings. As Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables (nee L.M. Montgomery) said, “Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes.” I believe this and practice it regularly. So I enjoy every opportunity to begin again. This is especially true of new school years, new calendar years, and new life changes.

Even so, in the last four years my practiced habit of positivity had gone into hiding. For many reasons, my last four years were especially challenging. I accepted a fantastic new position, in a fantastic new city, with a fantastic guy in tow, with fantastic people supporting me. Even so, I struggled to regain my confidence, rediscover my strengths, and readjust to life post-doctoral program (perhaps my word should have been Re?). While I understood that I was revisiting developing competency and managing emotions while dealing with the enormous stressors involved with life changes and identity changes, my perspective-taking ability was nowhere to be found.

So, after a few weeks of decompression, relaxation, and reflection (there are those RE words again!) I readied myself for the new year. I would decide my #OneWord2012.

It took some time, as all good summarizing should. I wanted to shift my perspective. Change my attitude. Remind myself what I love in life. I want to challenge myself. Challenge others. Appreciate the little and the big things. I considered journey. But the last four years had certainly been a journey, and not always a good one. I needed a word that connoted positivity and possibility.

Adventure.

Obligatory formal definition from http://www.dictionary.com:

noun
1.an exciting or very unusual experience.
2.participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises: the spirit of adventure.
3.a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome.

My own explanation:

Most people who have chosen a #OneWord2012 have chosen a verb. But I like to think of my noun AS a verb.

My new life is an adventure. My new job is an adventure. My relationship and my friendships are adventures. I will GO on adventures. I will CHOSE adventures. Adventures are sometimes planned, sometimes spontaneous. Adventures can be obvious or hidden. Expected and unexpected. Easy or difficult.

But adventures leave you with stories. Help you to grow. Encourage you to learn. Challenge your perspective.

Adventure requires taking a risk. I’m ready to jump into my adventure. Are you ready to jump into yours? What adventures will YOU take this  year?

What is YOUR #OneWord2012?

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