What’s your ‘one word’ for 2016? If you haven’t come across One Word 365 yet, it’s a fun alternative to New Year Resolutions. Instead of a long list, you just choose one word that will shape your year.
Observant readers of this blog will notice that I didn’t write about my one word for 2015 – and in my newsletter I wrote about why this was. (Subscribe to find out!)
This year, my word of the year is ‘anchored’. One of my friends shared with me a mental image of me as a boat in still, calm water, and for some unknown reason I burst into tears when she said it. I’m still trying to discover exactly why I reacted so emotionally, but I feel an affinity with this word.
To be anchored is to be tethered. I spent much of last year trying to pretend that I wasn’t tethered by my illness, and by the end of the year, I could feel the rope straining and digging into my skin. Whether I like it or not, I have limitations, though my tendency is to try to forget them. There is an important balance here: if you dwell on the limitations of chronic illness too long, you may grow despondent. If you ignore the limitations, you risk worsening your health and crashing when you do too much. For me, I constantly need to remind myself of my limitations, so that when I look at my ever-growing ‘to do’ list I remember that I am not God, and cannot do all things. It is a discipline to select, prioritise, guard my time when I would rather just say ‘yes’ to everything. Every ‘no’ feels like a loss.
To be tethered sounds like a negative thing, and yet I love looking at boats anchored in harbours. They look so peaceful, and the surroundings are so beautiful. I want to stay with this image this year, reminding myself that even a boat that doesn’t go anywhere can still enjoy a good view.
In the Bible, excluding the uses of the word in literal boats, the word ‘anchor’ appears just once, in Hebrews 6:19. It talks about the hope of a future with Christ as an anchor for the soul, something you can cling to. I love the thought of God’s promises as an anchor for the soul, holding you steady.
Over to you:
- Do you have a ‘one word’ for 2016? What is it?
Dear Tanya, I am new to your blog and God’s hand certainly was in my finding you this morning, as I googled to see if I can find other ME sufferers, who share their experiences. Since I am also a believer in Jesus Christ, I was even more delighted to find you! Praise the Lord!
My one word that came to mind is ‘Trust’. What a good idea to focus on a specific word for the year. Through my Bible studies recently this word has come up a lot and I want to become more trusting in our Lord and His plan for me for this year, for each day in fact.
Here’s a bit about my ME story: I am 65 and pciked up a nasty flu from 2 of my dear grandchildren in 2006. I didn’t seem to shake off the lack of energy and a few months later, increased fatigue and sore legs. I have been ‘blessed’ in so far, that my main symptoms have remainded fatigue and achy legs, not being able to walk more than about 3-4 houses down our street. Standing is a killer so last year I got a little folding stool I can carry along to sit on when having to wait at counters in shops etc. My husband, a retired Design Engineer, has designed and made a little lightweight and foldable wheelchair for me, which we have just begun to use to go for longer ‘walks’. I walk whatever is feasible on a given day.
In 2014 I had the best year since I got ME, was able to go for 20 to 30 min walks and in October even took my bike out and cycled around the block. Towards the end of that yeear and in January 2015 I suddenly went downhill again and the past year has overall been my worst. It’s still very much up and down and as you write, it is often so hard to decide when to say ‘yes’ to an activity and when ‘no’. My main problem ist still not being able to walk much. I am fine at home and rest a lot on the sofa, knitting for my grandies etc. I love reading or listen to audio books on Librivox.
I really admire you mothers with small children and coping with ME. The Lord blessed me with our daughter and family of 6 (7 in the next couple of weeks) moving into the next village 10 min drive away. Before they were 1 1/2 h away. Now we can see each other more regularly and they come to us weekly for afternoon tea and some crafts or games. But I am usually quite tired afterwards. So the more I admire you and all the mothers with young children out there who cope with ME. I will put you on my prayer list, my dears, even if I don’t know everyone by name. I have found that the Lord has been a real ‘anchor’ and my strength and ME has certainly brought me closer to Him. God bless you all, love from New Zealand.
So sorry for my delay in replying. Dear Monika – it was such a delight to hear your story! Thanks so much for sharing it with me. I know what a shock it is to suddenly not be able to walk – and I’m so sorry to hear of your setback last year. It’s a really frustrating illness. You seem very serene, even so. I only have one child, which makes things easier, and we manage creatively – with Jon doing most of the childcare, and me doing the remaining childcare mainly from my bed! It means that I get to do all the bedtime reading, which seems like a good deal to me! Sending you blessings across the other side of the world.
Tanya! I’m so excited to share the same One Word with you for 2016! When I signed up for it, I was a little surprised no one had picked that word yet.
Yes, Velvet Ashes has been a huge encouragement to me during my journey overseas. Although I haven’t officially met Amy Young, she and I were on the same flight this past October without knowing it ’til later! She is wonderful, and I hope next time our paths cross we actually get to meet each other for real. 🙂
Blessings to you in your journey to be more anchored in Christ and His promises this year!
So sorry for my delay in replying. Hurrah for being one word twins! It’s so cool that you know (of) Amy. Wishing you every blessing this year, too!
Wisdom. I’m searching for the meaning and application of wisdom. I think if I catch a glimpse of wisdom it will guide me in making the most appropriate decisions – big and small. Yep, I’m scouring Proverbs as a starting point.
So sorry for my delay in replying. Wisdom – YUM – I love me some wisdom. I’d love to know what you learnt from Proverbs!