Last year about this time, I was listening to a Christian radio station.
They were talking about choosing a word for yourself which would represent your 2011.
Actually, I should say you let the word choose you.
The idea was to find some moments in the coming few days to be quiet and reflect on the year ahead.
They claimed that a particular word would be placed within your spirit.
That word would then be a beacon to you throughout 2011.
If you kept the word in the forefront of your mind and in your soul during the year, it would become an idea to live up to, or reach for, or work through, or heal.
It would be different for everyone.
I decided to try it.
It took a couple of days and a couple of different words before I realized that the right word had come to me.
My word for 2011 was "grow".
It's really wonderful to now, at the end of the year, reflect back and realize how important that word has been to me this year.
I started my business and my writing on January 1, 2011.
Since then, my little Chickpea project has grown in ways that I can't even describe.
The growth has not been in areas that I ever imagined, but in new and exciting ways.
For the first time in my life, I grew a vegetable garden.
Those who know me know that my thumb is pretty legendary in its "blackness".
The garden had varying success, but the process was wonderful.
Finally, my personal growth throughout this year was very special.
In many ways, I've gained insight and enlightenment that I know I will carry for my whole life.
My word chose me and I feel it shaped my 2011.
I intend to do it again for 2012, and I would highly recommend the experience for all of you.
They were talking about choosing a word for yourself which would represent your 2011.
Actually, I should say you let the word choose you.
The idea was to find some moments in the coming few days to be quiet and reflect on the year ahead.
They claimed that a particular word would be placed within your spirit.
That word would then be a beacon to you throughout 2011.
If you kept the word in the forefront of your mind and in your soul during the year, it would become an idea to live up to, or reach for, or work through, or heal.
It would be different for everyone.
I decided to try it.
It took a couple of days and a couple of different words before I realized that the right word had come to me.
My word for 2011 was "grow".
It's really wonderful to now, at the end of the year, reflect back and realize how important that word has been to me this year.
I started my business and my writing on January 1, 2011.
Since then, my little Chickpea project has grown in ways that I can't even describe.
The growth has not been in areas that I ever imagined, but in new and exciting ways.
For the first time in my life, I grew a vegetable garden.
Those who know me know that my thumb is pretty legendary in its "blackness".
The garden had varying success, but the process was wonderful.
Finally, my personal growth throughout this year was very special.
In many ways, I've gained insight and enlightenment that I know I will carry for my whole life.
My word chose me and I feel it shaped my 2011.
I intend to do it again for 2012, and I would highly recommend the experience for all of you.