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Diana Schwenk, Fear, happy, Happy New Year, Hump Day Chronicles, life, Life's like that, living in the moment, love, service, tenacity, Word, words are powerful
I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. But this is the third year in a row that I have chosen a word for the new year.
For 2014, I chose tenacity.
Believe you, me – I needed it! That was the year I gave all I had to the Other Bottom Line. I developed a marketing package. I created a brochure. I wrote posts meant to be used as a resource by non-profits and invited conversation regarding engaging the community. I actively sought out clients. Did tons of research. Worked with a few clients and documented the entire process for them. I sought advice and did everything I could think of to make it work. I really put myself out there, even when it was scary to do so.
Although it didn’t quite work out the way I planned, it was not wasted time – I got to work with some pretty amazing people and I learned so much about myself and working with others; things that have benefitted me since.
For 2015, I chose service.
It dawned on me at the end of 2014, that I’d become angry about so many things; governments, world issues, red tape and bureaucracy, the ways that people, including me, were treating others and so on. While sharing these thoughts with a friend, she wisely said to me, “You can’t do anything about how others handle situations. And you definitely can’t complain about it if you’re not personally doing anything about it. Figure out what you can do and just do it.”
That advice led me to choose the word Service. And it’s a tough one for me. I’d much rather give someone money to rent a moving truck than physically help them to move, for example. I got service wrong a lot and I’d beat myself up every time. Eventually, I got it right by setting specific goals and playing out potential scenarios in my mind, in case they came to be. I definitely need to keep working on Service.
In a world where many pursue (selfish) happiness and fall short, I discovered that for me, at least, happiness comes in service to others, especially when I get to employ my natural gifts and abilities.
For 2016, I choose love, or rather the word love chose itself for me.
This year, I’ve become aware of, and sometimes participated in, fear-mongering. There seems to be a general move toward assuming the worst of people that aren’t like ‘us’ and it’s dividing us instead of building us up in the global community.
So I will use the word love like a measuring stick to make decisions. I will ask myself, “What is my motivation in pursuing a certain course of action? Am I motivated by love or fear?”
If it is love, I will move forward, if not, more examination may be necessary, perhaps an attitude adjustment is in order before proceeding, or maybe it is not worth pursuing at all.
Something tells me I will be needing my old friends Tenacity and Service as well!
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Do you make New Year’s resolutions or choose a word? If so, what have are your resolutions or what word have you chosen for 2016?
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Louise Gallagher said:
The word that came to me is ‘self-care’ which for me is another form of living in love.
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dianasschwenk said:
Agreed-and one we often overlook Louise! ❤
Diana xo
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Vicki Flaherty said:
A wonderful word for the year! Happy new year!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Vicki – Happy New Year to you too! ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
I think it was your blog that first introduced me to this word tradition Diana. Love this years plan. All the best.
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dianasschwenk said:
That’s great and thank you Kath! ❤
Diana xo
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mishedup said:
Been doing this for a few years now…it’s a great practice
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dianasschwenk said:
Hello Mished and welcome to TALKTODIANA! Thanks for sharing your post here. ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Happy 2016!
I see someone’s trying on a new outfit! 😀
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dianasschwenk said:
Hey you’re the first one to notice Smitty – I think it’s kinda similar to the old one – good eye for detail you got there! ❤
Diana xo
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Pingback: When There Are No Words | Susie Lindau's Wild Ride
dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much for linking to my post Susie – I’m honoured! And love your word, it’s sooooo YOU! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
Happy New Year, Diana! You can’t go wrong when your focus is Love. ❤️
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dianasschwenk said:
Happy New Year Jennifer! ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Excellent 2016 attitude. Something we try to pursue also. Fear spawns a lot other negative stuff and I’m guilty of letting it overpower me.
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re not the only one Jean – thank you and Happy New Year! ❤
Diana xo
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Sheryl said:
I like how you select words for each year. Happy New Year!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Sheryl – Happy New Year! ❤
Diana xo
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Bill said:
If I were to choose a word, I can’t think of a better one.
I plan to spend a day next week thinking about 2016 and what my focus will be. Maybe I’ll come out of that time with a word. Right now I’m leaning toward the word SPICE, a acronym for Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality.
Happy New Year!
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dianasschwenk said:
Sounds wonderful Bill, thanks for sharing it here! ❤
Diana xo
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Wendy L. Macdonald said:
Diana, wise words–wise choice you’ve shared with us. ❤ I recently got more involved with volunteering again after praying and waiting for the right fit. I also prefer to work from a place of love. Joy is my word for 2016. But I've sensed that courage is inviting me to hold her hand too.
Blessings & hugs for 2016 ~ Wendy
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dianasschwenk said:
I love that courage is inviting you Wendy – LOVE! ❤
Diana xo
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The Good Greatsby said:
Best wishes for 2016 and making your word a reality.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much – Happy New Year to you too! ❤
Diana xo
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utesmile said:
Happy love filled new year to you Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Ute, to you as well. ❤
Diana xo
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Katie said:
Great word choice! I recently picked “breathe free” as my focus. In part, it seems similar in that I cannot hold the tension of fear if I breathe free in the moment.
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dianasschwenk said:
I love that Katie! ❤
Diana xo
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sedge808 said:
❤
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) ❤
Diana xo
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Pam said:
Very thought provoking Diana! Another article very well written. I see where you are coming from regarding fear mongering, Too many folks jumping in without weighing all sides. We need to be obedient! Great resolution!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much Pam and a very Happy New Year to you. May 2016 surprise you with many moments of joy, love and laughter! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
Such an inspiring post Diana and a wonderful perspective to have as we move into 2016. I am going to focus on releasing what no longer serves me. We all know how precious and important each day is, and so I want to live as fully as I can, leaving behind energy that takes me away from living in the moment. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family. I am sure you will achieve your goals.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Karen Happy New Year to you and yours as well! I have no doubt you will let go of those things that do not serve you…you are such a calm presence, even here in the blogosphere. ❤
Diana xo
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Ian Munro @ leadingessentially.com said:
I’m in! We need more of asking instead of telling, talking instead of fighting, loving instead of fearing. How about a challenge to your entire readership to join you in the word of the year? Write it down in some meaningful way and display it prominently such that it enters our thoughts daily.
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dianasschwenk said:
Well welcome aboard Ian! Do you have a word for the new year? I like it better than resolutions – I can use it like a strategic screen for everything I do! ❤
Diana xo
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Ian Munro @ leadingessentially.com said:
I actually make the same resolution every year – I resolve not to make any resolutions! I look at life as a continuous experience snd if it’s worth doing for a year it’s likely worth doing for a lifetime!
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dianasschwenk said:
ahh makes sense, probably why I’m dragging tenacity and service into 2016 as well as love! 😉
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Val Boyko said:
LOVE this! I also like how the word chose you. Perfect Diana ❤️
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Val, I love that it chose me too. Do you pick a word for the year or make resolutions? ❤
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
The word that was given to me is “timeless”. A word to live into and to explore more! Thanks for asking Diana 💛
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dianasschwenk said:
a beautiful word Val. 🙂
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Chatter Master said:
I hope your year is full of love: creating it, finding it, being discovered by it, using it, living in it, everything wonderful about it Diana! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much Colleen – what a lovely picture you paint. ❤
Diana xo
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Ann Koplow said:
Love all your words, Tenacious D! xxoo ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you beautiful Ann! ❤
Diana xo
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russtowne said:
I love how you focus each year on something that really makes a positive difference for you and others, Diana. Way to go!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you so much Russ and Happy New Year! ❤
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Loving this one; start to finish… And, isn’t it wonderful the difference a few months can make?; )
Happy New Year Diana!!
With hugs, :Deb
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dianasschwenk said:
Happy New Year to you as well Deb! ❤
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
What a wonderful way to start the new year … and actually make it your plan for the whole year!
I am with you Diana 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Elizabeth! ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
From Elizabeth Kubler Ross…There is only love and fear.
“But it’s more accurate to say that there is only love or fear, for we cannot feel these two emotions together, at exactly the same time. They’re opposites. If we’re in fear, we are not in a place of love. When we’re in a place of love, we cannot be in a place of fear.”
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dianasschwenk said:
Perfect love drives out fear Van! ❤
Diana xo
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April said:
Love is perfect! I like the question you will ask yourself.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks April! ❤
Diana xo
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susielindau said:
I’ve never thought of choosing a word to symbolize a year. I’ll have to think about it!
Happy New Year, Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
If you pick a word Susie, come back and share it here! ❤
Diana xo
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susielindau said:
I will!
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dianasschwenk said:
Awesome!!
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cyclingrandma said:
Love this idea, though not sure I could do it. I admire your tenacity, service and go forth with love! Happy 2016!
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh I bet you do it all the time – thanks Lisa! ❤
Diana xo
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David Kanigan said:
Big words!
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dianasschwenk said:
They do pack a wallop, don’t they David? ❤
Diana xo
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