A New Year, A New Word

In 2022 my guiding word was "Endure." We had wrapped up 2021 with its Covid restrictions, isolation, and the January 6 insurrection and 2022 wasn't looking any better. It felt like an odd choice then -- here on Marmelade Gypsy I wrote:

"At the holidays, we were reflecting on a word or two to describe 2021. (I said "schizophrenic.") My friend Jan said "Endure." And that's what I feel about the 2022. Endure it. Slog through the isolation, the news, the doc appointments, the uncertainty. Just endure it."

Then for 2023, I thought I needed to up my game, become a little more hopeful, so I chose "Rabbit" -- which was because it was the year of the rabbit and that symbolically had qualities I wanted to emulate.

"The year represents peaceful and patient energy and heaven knows I need that. The world needs that. It suggests tapping into inner wisdom and trusting instincts, focusing on relationships, diplomacy and building bridges. It brings with it prosperity and good fortune. It is associated with creative and artistic talents and self care."

While in some ways, I did live that (I was pretty good with self-care and creativity, along with good relationships), I think that in larger part, I was still in "endure" mode! 

Enduring was something I did almost every day. In some cases, it was physical, with not only my recurring lung infections (I'll be enduring those till the day I die) but also tendon tears in the hip and rotator cuff and back issues. In other ways it was emotional, as I watch our country being torn apart by political division and extremism. And, if yet other ways it was personal, as final farewells made me very sad and we postponed long anticipated travel plans.

This year it is time for ---

Action. 

Action takes courage and energy, sometimes both of which are in short supply. But yes, it's time.

It's time to travel. I know I may not be able to do all I would have done five or ten years earlier or even all I want to do, but I can still "do." We hope to head to the UK in May and I might even meet up with Rick in Nova Scotia when he does his ride to Newfoundland next year. We'll see about that one. (Part of all this depends on good care of my black and white feline roommate.)

It's time for political action and working and supporting the candidates who will best support our democracy. I know not all areas of our country are feeling this but in Michigan our gas prices are down. The market is up. Interest rates are coming down. Things are on an upswing. I want to keep that going.

It's time to continue the actions of caring for my home and myself. Last year I made some home improvements; this year I need to aggressively start to downsize my stuff. I don't want to have to do this when I am older or less capable and others have to make choices. I at least want a good handle on things. 

Last year I lost 25 pounds. This year I want to lose the next 20 or so. It will make movement easier, perhaps help breathing and stamina and be better all around. So, this is an action to continue.

It's a good word. How well I follow through -- that's to come!