We are so thrilled and delighted to begin another year with you--and cannot wait to see what unfolds. Just a quick post today, since we know you're all resting and recovering or out at the movies or watching football or making chili or cozily reading.
So instead of making resolutions, let's pick a ...word!
My word for the year is: well, I can't decide. OPTIMISM? GRATITUDE? PERSEVERANCE? GROWTH? What do you all think?
Tell us, Reds, what's your one word for the year?
HALLIE EPHRON: My word for the new year: EMPATHY Because in my opinion we need less shouting, blaming, and blathering without listening.JENN McKINLAY: I got nothing. It usually takes me through January to figure out what word I want to guide my year. I do have some contenders: ABIDE (because that seems proper). HORSESHIT (that 's cranky me annoyed with the world at large). LISTEN (because I need to learn to do that). SIMPLIFY (because my brain way overcomplicates things). I'll let you know what I choose but I'm kind of leaning towards the cuss word.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: I would agree with everyone's words! (Especially Jenn's...) But I think I'll go with KINDNESS. Just remembering to be a little more kind, whether it's on the page (or the screen or ESPECIALLY on social media), or to the people we come across in our everyday lives and work, to our friends and families, and to ourselves. .
HANK: I am still thinking! RELAX? LET-IT-BE? What's the opposite of "worry"? There's got to be a word that doesn't mean "forget about it" in the sense of "lah-dee-dah, I give up" but that means, "Well, things happen but you never know so let's wait and see and oh, yeah, be happy along the way." Is there one word for that? Wait--is that hakuna matata? But that's two words, anyway.
Reds and readers--what's your word for the year?
And hey, check in! Let's do a roll call!
Just tell us where you are--especially if we never hear from you in the comments--it's a new year, after all!
I can't believe I am actually posting ahead of Joan Emerson! Be still my beating heart!! That's my reward for being up past midnight.
ReplyDeleteI think my word will be Trust. As in, trust that things will work out for the best. Trust my own instincts. Trust that people are essentially good, not evil. Trust that everything doesn't ride on my own shoulders. Trust in God. (I first thought of faith, but it seems so religious-focused that I thought trust might be a better choice.) Trust.
Oh I love Trust! Great and thoughtful choice! Happy new year! Xx
DeleteVery good choice Susan
DeleteSurvive..... I need to keep my job, keep my home, and try to find some kind of peace in my life. I just would like to survive from day to day without fretting about the next day. Can I have a phrase? Peacefully surviving ......
ReplyDeleteYou will survive— and thrive! Xxxx
DeleteWe're with you Deanna!!
DeleteMy word will be Circumspect [because I can get a few other things, like considerate, judicious, prudence, and foresight included!]
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year . . . May 2019 bring everyone all the best of everything . . . .
Whoa! Wonderful! Love you.... xxx
DeleteOh, let me see. I want to adopt a healthier lifestyle, walking every day. I want to get rid of all the excess stuff in my house. I want to get in my car and travel to go see some people and not put it off. I want to do more unexpected niceties for people. I want to use my time better. I want to plan my trip to England and get it on the calendar. These are changes that have become more important to me since my sister just died, but they are ones that have been nipping at my heels for a while. One word. That's a tough one right now. Maybe, the phrase "follow through."
ReplyDeleteThat is perfect! And you are a total gem! (Are you doing a book tour of England? We want a blog!) Love you madly!
DeleteI like it Kathy, and we are thinking of you xox
DeleteOh, a book tour does sound wonderful. I'm sure I'll include some literary, especially mystery/crime connections to the itinerary. Agatha Christie is a must. Hank, I meant to comment on the paperback cover of Trust Me. It is spectacular! I'm thinking I'll have to buy it just for the cover and put it alongside my hardback copy.
DeleteLucy, I am so comforted by you and Hank and all others who have sent prayers and loving thoughts. Thank you.
I still have 15 minutes to 2019. So I'm coming to you from the past.
ReplyDeleteI've never come up with a word for the year before, but I think I will be borrowing some of yours as the year progresses.
Ooh coming from the past! How cool! Happy New Year! Xxx
DeleteSelf care. From Keenan Powell in the Greatland.
ReplyDeleteAnd no more earthquakes, dear Keenan!
DeleteI'm going to go right to the heart of things and say, "Love." Love of friends and family; love of critters and the earth that sustains us all; love of the odd, battered, off-kilter soul that I've grown up to be. We should all just love each other a little more. I love you all!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough, to be fair, Jenn's second candidate has some appeal, too.
DeleteWe love you, darling Gigi! (And agreed!)
DeleteHank, maybe you are looking for "Accept." For me I'm going to borrow Debs' "Kindness." To others, to myself (harder than you think), to my characters, and perhaps as a way of sending it out into the world - lord knows we need it. Happy New Year, all!
ReplyDeleteAccept is good—but it has to be mindful powerful acceptance ! And yes, great choice—you are so right! Hope your cold is disappearing...xx
DeleteBut, Edith, if you are kind to your characters, will anyone ever get killed?
DeleteWell, not to ALL my characters, LOL!
DeleteHappy New Year! Wonderful words/phrases from all of you. I think Kindness, Trust and Simplify will probably be mine. Love has always been one of my words.
ReplyDeleteYes! And to you too, dear Deb!
DeleteHappy New year! All of those words were great and I plan to keep them in mind but I think my number one word is GRATITUDE. I need to keep thinking of all I am grateful for and you know what is right at the almost top of my list - all of you! Love you!
ReplyDeleteSo important—I am with you all the way! Love you too!
Deletethanks Judi, and know we Reds are grateful for every single one of you!
DeleteOH yes, Judi. gratitude. That's what Im feeling right now. So mych to be thankful for
DeleteCincinnati checking in: DETERMINATION. Time to find a home for a stack of rejected short stories, get my debut mystery off the ground, beat my body into shape for an upcoming wedding, shovel out the house and garage attic, plan a fabulous trip...and for Keenan, a wish for no more tremors and earthquakes! Bel Canto closely followed Patchett's book plot and was very good. Renee Fleming's singing was incandescent.
ReplyDeleteThat is a perfect word, dear Margaret! And we are eagerly awaiting whatever happens…
DeleteI'm for Keenan's no more tremors. And Deana's survive. And Margaret, go get 'em!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Great posts and such good inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI usually have a word for the year and like Jenn it takes a bit of time to germinate. I pay attention to the little, unbidden thoughts and then I seem to happen onto my word. I have been spending more time with the Neil Gaiman quote, and the phrase that keeps tapping at my heart is "surprise yourself". I think there's something in there for me for 2019.
I’m seeing that quote everywhere, too, and it is a great one! Yes, let’s do that!
DeleteLyda, I posted Neil Gaiman's quote about the New Year on my FB page as my wish for all my friends and family. It's such a lovely thought, to surprise oneself.
DeleteTEMPTATION. why not? Have a sinfully delicious meal at least once a month. Take the day off and spend it reading. Go for a drive before the chores. Pet a critter. Wade in the water.
ReplyDeleteHave fun. Peace and joy to all in 2019.
Now that is brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Yes yes yes…
DeleteLove this, Coralee!
DeleteI'm with Coralee!
DeleteMy word for 2019 is LIFE. I choose life. To be present in my life and the lives of those I love. To trust in the life I am given/create each day. To be grateful for this life. To love and show kindness and persevere no matter how hard the struggle may be.
ReplyDeleteFlora, you are wonderful! Xx
DeleteHappy New Year! I'm Mary Robert from Alabama. It's my first time to comment here, but I read your blog every morning, and I decided to respond today because you all (Reds and readers) give me HOPE, which is my word for 2019. The past two and a half years have been a real struggle for me personally, but I am finally seeing my way forward. Part of what has made that possible is this blog. Y'all make me think, make me laugh, make me cry, and give me hope that not all change is negative. Thank you for your daily commitment to this space. I look forward to the next 365 days!
ReplyDeleteLove to you, Mary Robert! Whatever you are facing, may you have the strength and hope and determination to master it in the coming year. We've all been in those rough corners. We all know we'll face them again. But here we all are together. There's always something positive in change, but sometimes you have to put it there yourself. You can do it!
DeleteHappy New Year to you, Mary Robert! We love knowing you are there. Please stop in more often!
DeleteHurray! And what a joy to see you! And oh my goodness, you bring tears to my eyes! I will think about you now, every day! Happiest of New Year’s… And we are so grateful.
DeleteThank you, Mary Robert, for expressing what so many of us feel.
DeleteHappy New Year, Reds writers and commenters: Thank you for this community!
ReplyDeleteMy word for 2019 is POSSIBILITIES. It holds what I need as I begin to contemplate my life after full-time work. I'm not close to leaving that yet, but I am beginning to contemplate the, well, the possibilities!
Love and peace to everyone.
Possibilities! What a fabulous idea. And isn’t that so perfectly true! I think that’s exactly what I was looking for…
DeleteAlso, Julia: Your students have no idea how lucky they are to have you as their instructor! Please tell them your fans are madly jealous.
ReplyDeleteJulia, I was a software technical writer for twenty years and taught it, too. Any questions, just ask! Or if you want a guest speaker. ;^)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThat’s all audit Julia’s classes!
DeleteYou are ALL so inspirational! I feel blessed to be a part of this community, and I think I will be going back to everyone's words on a regular basis. Happy New Year to my Jungle Red sisters and to all of our wonderful readers! Love you all!
ReplyDeleteYes, great idea Debs! Xxxx
DeleteI am going to try SIMPLIFY. I need to cut down on the excesses in my life, the worrying, the over-eating, the over-committing, and over thinking. I need to go back to the basics: kindness, gratitude, love, acceptance, and hope.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Reds!
Good one! And I am with you, no more worrying! Xxxx
DeleteMy word is GRATITUDE. For me, gratitude leads to other things, like peace, and empathy. For the past year or so, I have not allowed myself to get out of bed in the morning until I express gratitude for all the big and little blessings in my life. This has led me to spontaneously express gratitude throughout the day for various things.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am grateful for everyone here, writes and readers!
DebRo
That is such a good idea! Plus, it lets you stay cozy in bed a couple more minutes, right? Xxxxx
DeleteDeborah- What a great practise! I think I need to make this one mine. Thank you.
DeleteMy word for 2019 is HEALTHY. 2018 was a difficult year in many ways and I gave in to too many temptations to indulge (ice cream is a good soother for so many things -- as is wine). Time to put the grief and stress aside and focus on getting back to good physical and mental health. And if I'm successful, the secondary word will be DE-CLUTTER, which will probably help with the mental health.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, dear Christine! xoxoxo YAY!
DeleteHear! Hear!
DeleteFort Denaud checking in. My word - hum - EVOLVE - and KINDNESS. Evolve because I feel I'm at a crossroads, personally and professionally. Kindness, because we all need more of that. Happy New Year to Reds and Readers - May 2019 bring you the best.
ReplyDeleteThat's so exciting, Kait! Just think, this time next year--who knows! And all good. xoxoo
DeleteJulie and I talked about this earlier today. Her words are collaborate, for herself, and negotiate, for Congress.
ReplyDeleteMine is persevere. January looks to be a difficult month for me, but like others that were much the same, I shall get thru it.
Jenn, I love horseshit also!
And we will be here with you! Yay! How about Teamwork? xoxo
DeleteWishing you all a happy 2019 from Cincinnati!
ReplyDeleteMy choices: Mindfulness, Simplify and Calm. I think these all go together, really. Christine Ryan's "Declutter" can help with all that.
SO true! And we are definitely seeing a theme here... xoxo
DeleteComing to you from Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteWord of the Year? Sorry, I have no idea about that.
Oh and if anyone is interested, here's my Top 10 Mysteries and Thrillers for 2018 (with my picks and a recap of my year in reading) - classic-rock-bottom.ning.com/forum/topics/my-top-10-mysteries-thrillers-of-2018
Great, Jay! Looking now! And so fun that you are reviewing for Mystery Scene--way cool.
DeleteHappy New Year from San Jose, CA. I like ALL of your words, but I think this year mine will have to be Gratitude. My husband is about to enter hospice care at home 22 months after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis and two months after chemo stopped working. Why gratitude? Because a few months before he was diagnosed, we welcomed our first grandson, and two days before Thanksgiving 2018 our first granddaughter. What blessings they have been during this very difficult period (and now they live only a 2.5-hour drive away rather than 5+ hours). Our sons and daughter-in-law have also been wonderful. I'm also grateful to have this time with Mike, who has doubled his cancer-dictated life expectancy. As he sees his mobility dwindle, our communication with each other seems to get even more loving. And of course, I'm so grateful to have my reading habit (obsession?), my involvement with Toastmasters (mostly from home right now) and my "job" as newsletter editor of SinC NorCal to keep my mind busy--not to mention all of you, Lesa Holstine, and other far-flung friends. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI wish you strength.
DeleteMargie, I'm so sorry you and Mike are going through this and impressed that you are finding the special grace and blessing in this time. My mom died of pancreatic cancer around this time a few years ago and I was blessed to be with her and tell her how much I loved her. My very best to you both
DeleteI am honored to be part of your book family, Margie..and you are handling it with love and grace. You are the essence of gratitude, and we are all inspired. Love to you all.
DeleteThank you so much, Ann, Rhys and Hank. That means a lot to me.
DeleteMargie, your post stopped me in my tracks. Looking for a word that means *not taking things for granted*
DeleteCompassion
ReplyDeleteLibby Dodd
Yes yes, so perfect! xoxoo
DeleteImprove. That is my word for the year. I do not mean it as a stressed and harried type of term, but as a steadfast progress in all positive things. There are many good words and terms in both your post and the comments, and much food for thought. What a lovely thing you have asked and for us to take a bit of time to consider. Voicing this thought from Michigan.
ReplyDeleteHI, Lil! SO great to hear from you! Yes, steadfast is lovely, and steadfast progress in all positive things. Perfect. We are on the road!
DeleteYou all are so inspirational! Thank you! Keep them coming..
ReplyDeleteKindness
ReplyDeletePerfect!
DeleteI'm thinking of a couple of words to improve my attitude and interactions with others. One is optimism or "be positive." That has been an issue for me. The other is kindness, or southern-style, "be sweet." Not that I'm mean to people but I have a lot of snark lodged in my brain.
ReplyDeleteBe positive is a great one--it makes such a difference! (And I can just hear someone saying "be sweet"--can't you?) xox
DeleteI think my word will be KINDNESS. I try to be positive all the time. I'm looking forward to a new time of writing this year. I have written anything in ages. I'd love to manage a copy of short stories and maybe a few blog posts.
ReplyDeleteYes, Pat, YAY! Cannot wait to read it all! xooxo
DeleteShalom Reds and Fans. The word of my hope for the year is “sunshine”. I live in Doylestown, PA. It is a bedroom community of Philadelphia PA. I looked it up for the city this morning; we’ve had approximately 60 inches of rain this year. (The average is 40 inches. It rained yesterday and was dark and cloudy this morning. I went back to bed. I awoke again to find that the sun has come out at least for a cameo appearance. Now, I know we need rain and shouldn’t complain when we have it. However, this year, even when it wasn’t raining, it was dank and dreary outside. So this year, I am determined to treasure the sun.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazingly different to see the sun after so much rain? You think--wait, what's THAT? xo
DeleteReds, all of your words sound great! A relative's word is INSPIRE. Hard for me to pick one word or three words!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Diana
Inspire! That’s great— and actually encompasses a lot of the other words too, doesn’t it?
DeleteHank, thank you!
DeleteLove you!
DeleteLove to see all these readers who seldom comment coming out today! Obviously, the Jungle reds Word of the Year must be COMMUNITY!
ReplyDeleteOH, yes! LOVE that! xoxo
DeleteI wrote about mine today - PERSEVERE - in all my life journeys - reading, health, movement, and most importantly in my quest to be kind, loving, sensitive and spiritual. Life is full of ups and downs - all require endurance and perseverance. I'll PERSEVERE through the good and the not so good and enjoy the journey. Love the Jungle Reds and all the comments here. Let's have a great 2019 full of joy. Take care everyone!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, dear Kay!
DeleteHappy New Year everyone
ReplyDeleteI love all of your words and like Deborah, I will come back to them.
For my first year of retirement during which I want to write, my word is : forward.
Danielle in Quebec
Forward is so inspirational, isn't it? And yes, this would be a great post to dip Ito from time to time--as we move forward!
DeleteMy word is peace, in the world and in my life. I prefer my drama in books, TV, and movies.
ReplyDeleteYa know, there you have it. Exactly. xoo
DeleteI still read JRW almost daily, but usually not until much later in the day or the evenings,
ReplyDeleteso I don't comment often. But I love this little community and look forward to
all the posts. It's like catching up with old friends here! I'm indecisive about a
fitting word or phrase for this year, and leaning towards Jenn's ideas! I wish you all
the best of everything in 2019, and like Neil Young sings: "Long May You Run". Happy New Year!
Oh, that song is so wonderful-it always makes me cry. (happy tears.) But as my grandson says: Grammy, everything makes you cry. Sigh. True . Happy New Year!
DeleteEarlier today, I (half) jokingly mentioned to my husband that I would prefer to just skip 2019 and move on to 2020..but that was before I read these inspiring comments! Perhaps I will sign up for 2019 after all thanks to you wonderful people, but....I will need to find COURAGE to wade in. I am not a courageous person....more of an "endure"type while hanging by my finger nails :=). So thanks Reds.....my word for 2019 will be COURAGE. Margie Bunting I am touched and humbled by your grace that shines through in your words.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is the best thing ever. Courage. Perfect and brilliant. Yes. I am completely with you--and our dear Margie. Let us hold each other in the light.
DeleteThank you, Helen. I hope you have a much better 2019 than you are expecting.
DeleteMargie, you and your husband will be in my thoughts as you take this next step of your journey together.
DeleteTwo words for me: Stop overthinking. This is Lenita here in Chatsworth, California, and at age 86 I'm waxing philosophic. Awful things happen. They always have. As the Bible suggests, at the beginning of 2019 I'm thinking on things that are lovely and good and true: my kids, grandkids, and one admirable great-grandson; California weather (never mind fire season); Christmas lights; lovable dogs; tacos; Mary Poppins Returns; BOOKS; forever friends. And those last two bring me to all of you, because I read this blog every. single. day, and although I don't post often, I consider all of you friends, and your books make my bookshelves overloaded, but beautiful! Here's to some faith, some frolicking, and some deeply lasting friendships for you all! Happy 2019.
ReplyDeleteLenita! What a joy to hear from you...I am enchanted by your wisdom, and so pleased to read your post...Oh! You're here every single day? Can you imagine how happy you make us? This is our goal, and our hope, and you are fabulous. Thank you...and many blessings.
DeleteChecking in late, as I had a houseful of children and grandchildren today. So wonderful to read the caring and thoughtful comments in a community of caring and thoughtful people. The right way to start the year. My own personal word is Health , I think. After a few years of serious and time/energy consuming health issues, the big things have simmered down and now it's time to deal with what I have neglected: get serious about taking off the weight I need to, and get enough exercise to deal with increasing ortho/arthritis issues. It will make a big difference for the next years and my (endless)ability to ignore it all is finally feeling ridiculous. There! I've said it in public, in writing! That makes it real. Very best New Year wishes to everyone who writes or reads Jungle Red
ReplyDeleteGoodness I have just had this pop up in my In Box. I have some problem that Julia and I have NOT been able to solve. If I click on Comments when on my iPhone or iPad I only get Comment as Google. Its only on my computer that I can comment as me! very frustrating as I want to comment. Can anyone recommend a fix. My computer is old so may be thats the reason. Anyway my word will be PATIENCE! I am very impatient and I need to slow down and be more reflective towards others needs. Also I am a great TIME MANAGEMENT person as I was an organizing consultant in a past life.
ReplyDeleteHello from Idaho. I enjoy this blog but have never added my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lenita... to “think on good things”. And of course kindness. It’s a lovely sounding word, too.
Avis in NH here. Declutter needs to be my word this year, too.
ReplyDeleteI think my word is going to be SIMPLIFY. I have a lot going on and I need to get rid of what isn't working, focus on what is and simplify it all so I enjoy everything!
ReplyDeleteDebby in NH. Hello and Happy New Year. I like perseverance. A good word to get through tough times and move on to better times.
ReplyDeleteThis was a conversation at our tiny new year celebration in North Carolina. I stumbled around a bit and finally landed on SEARCHING. 2018 was a year of tremendous loss that, while painful, gave me the gift of realizing I needed to be deliberate in a way I haven't been before. I'm giving myself the year to explore what that might actually mean.
ReplyDeleteBonnie from Northern California. I've been trying to think of a good word for accepting people's differences. Does OPEN-MINDED work? There's too much hate and fear of things that are not the norm or different from one's beliefs. In my opinion, if they aren't breaking the law or hurting anyone, their way of life shouldn't upset you. Treat each other nicely.
ReplyDelete