A twitter friend, @GlendaWH posted about Christine Kane’s blog entry, Resolution Revolution: A Better Way to Start Your Year. I went over and read Christine’s entry and was inspired. I love the idea of picking a word for the year instead of a resolution. Resolutions never get kept, or at least not very long. Instead, the idea of a single word to remind me of my on going goals strikes me as a way to focus the coming year.

Words are powerful things. A single word can make the difference between success and failure. The single word “yes” has changed my life so many times, I have lost count. The word “community” is what my life has always been about. I strongly considered both of those for my word of the year. But both of them are parts of me that I know I will continue to work with and reach for. I wanted a word that would challenge me. I wanted a word that would give me a focus for what I want to get done in the next 12 months. I wanted a word that would let me make a difference in my own life, not just in other people’s lives.  And then a word came to me…

 The word? Debt. Sounds kind of negative at first glance I know, but it is really a positive word. It has power beyond belief, if I can just keep looking at it in the right ways. To me, it means a series of hopes and dreams… Start with the obvious….

1. Get out of debt. Get the credit cards paid off again from the bills from my last surgery before the next one.
2. Stay out of debt. Not be caught in the trap of leaving money on the credit cards. Not get behind again.

That though is only half of my debt for the year. I also hope to:

1. Remember those to whom I am indebted. Those who touch my life daily and help me reach my goals. Those whose strength carries me through.
2. Remember the debt I owe to myself to fill my time wisely sometimes, but also to take time for myself when I need to.
3. Contribute to society in a way that pays off the debts of gratitude and love to those I can no longer see, talk to, or hold.
4. Remember that we all owe debts, some small some large. And have patience with those who owe me in hopes that those I owe will have patience with me.
5. Pay back the debt of energy and effort of the women in the world who have come before me and fought the good fight for equality.
6. Remember the people who build the tools that keep me connected and organized (such as I am) also have lives and goals and hopes. Show my gratitude to them for letting me help break their tools and sites.

My word for the year will be debt.  I’m going to try to use this blog to keep me honest and on focus with the word of the year. That means more posts for all of you about the tools, people, sites, and processes that help me get through each day.

Join the revolution. Find the word that will make the difference in your life this year. Share it with others so that they can help you make a difference too.