Loading ...What’s In A Name?
I’m giving 2012 a name: The Year of Life.
2011 had a name for me, too: The Year of Simplicity.
Naming the years is not my idea. One of my best friends names the years. My favorite blogger (http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/01/a-creed-for-the-new-year/) does, too.
I began last year, sort of by chance. How about you?
Giving the year a name gives it a focus. It gives you something to think about, and something to guide you. And it can have some surprises.
How do I choose a name? There is no formula, and my friend Rene’ (mentioned earlier) helps me by reminding me as the year draws to a close. I simply think about it, pray about it, and see what comes up.
After I get an idea, and officially name the year, I sit back and see what comes along. And I begin to notice things that have to do with my theme. The rest just seems to flow.
Often, it’s in looking back over the year that’s past that I begin to see how God guided my year, and taught me things that were on target. Those things usually result in personal growth. Isn’t that wonderful? I think so.
So, why don’t you join me? Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Keep it simple, and don’t stress.
- Make it official: Tell someone your theme, or post it on social media.
- Include some friends, or form a discussion group.
- Keep a notebook throughout the year.
Here are some examples:
My friend’s years have been named: The Year of the Mind, The Year of Health, The Year of the Tongue (how we speak).
My favorite blogger has called her years: The Year of Eucharisto (2008), The Year of Communion (2009), The Year of Yes (2010), The Year of Here (2011), and the Year of Koinonia (2012).
There you have it—an idea for beginning a new direction in the New Year. Let’s give 2012 a name. Then, let’s go out and start living it!
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5 Comments
The Lord gave me "the year of the prodigals" - they have begun their trek back to Him. Back to LIFE! Do you have a scripture that goes with the year's name?
It's so funny, girl! You're actually the one who gave me the idea for naming a year, years and years ago, back during our homeschooling days. You told me about someone you knew who wanted to learn how to make bread so they decided to give it a year to learn and perfect their skill. It was geared to more practical daily skills back then, but that is what got me started. My first year I focused on becoming a better housekeeper/homemaker. In recent years it has been more spiritually focused, but you are right. It's very interesting to see what comes. I'm always surprised, yet somehow it all relates to my year's theme. Love you, Sweet Friend!
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24
This is my first year to give it a name but I began at the first of 2012 to make it the year of commitment
both in spiritual and physical. I am starting to set goals for this year and make a scrapbook page for each month. I pray you will spur me on as Hebrews says
I think this is a wonderful idea…more like a plan. Do many times I just try to make it through each day, and then regret having experiences. Last year was an eye opening for me, as my dear sister passed away. One thing that I took away from her was that she really loved experiencing things-places, etc. I realized that if I look back at the last 5 years, I am not sure I could say that I have done anything memorable. So that would be what I am "naming" 2012, the Year of Experiences. Camping, vacations (we haven't done that in 8 years!!), hiking. No more talking about doing things, this will be the year that they are deliberately planned and executed!!
Thanks for sharing ladies! Would love to hear your progress for the first month and rest of the year! Please check in from time to time and let us know how your goals are coming along!