2012: My Word of the Year

It's a bit deflating to think about a talisman word for 2012, especially after failing to live up to one of the key goals I set for myself in 2011. Nope, WITNESS isn't finished, so while I'm MUCH CLOSER to The End, I have to slide that one forward into the New Year. 

I won't use my blog to reflect on why that was; believe you me, I've already done enough introspection, all by my fretful/zen/embarrassed/triumphant/smiley-faced/teary-eyed self.

Don't get me wrong: I'm proud of all that I've accomplished. It's a substantial list, not all of them measured in word count or pages. I could recount them here, but I won't, because truly, none of that makes any difference. The past is behind us, and the future's yet to be written.

Writing my memoir? That matters to me, quite a lot. Always will, for however long it takes me. So does living a life that's full and true, and very much in the here-and-now.  In the end, these intentions are interrelated.  With that in mind, my Talisman Word for 2012 is NOW.

This moment…It's the only one we're guaranteed in this lifetime. NOW is our time. Your time. My time. I plan to make the most of it in 2012.

P.S. If you've found yourself on the same page as me, you might enjoy reading these articles: "30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself" and "25 Things Writers Should Stop Doing." I'm going to add them as shortcut keys to my desktop.

  1. A wise decision–it’s done when it’s right, not when a certain calendar page shows up. (If one signed a contract, that’s different, but if there is no contract, then getting it right instead of fast is a precious luxury, and you are wise to regard it that way.)

    • Love this, Melodye! I know the feeling. I’ve been beating myself up because I still haven’t received representation from that elusive agent. Love your take on this!

      • It’s counterproductive, isn’t it, to flog ourselves for situations/things beyond our control? I think we’re worth the compassion we extend to others! Here’s to (re)learning that lesson in 2012… (HUGS))

  5. NOW is a very wonderful word for you, my friend. You have all of my support and encouragement as you move forward this year. May it be a year of peace and productivity for you.

  6. Thanks for those links. They are perfect for this time of year when a fresh start seems very possible.

    And you said it very well, “This moment…It’s the only one we’re guaranteed in this lifetime.” I’m glad I spent it connecting with you and taking it to say thanks for stopping by the Write Game. I love new visitors.

    • I’m glad to share those articles; they speak truth to me now, and I feel pretty sure they’ll still be relatable in the future.

      Thanks for stopping by, and for linking your NOW with mine. 🙂

  8. “Touch excruciatingly”…?

    In the image you used to illustrate this blog entry, there appears to be the following phrase in the list:

    “”Touch excruciatingly”

    I find myself unable to parse the meaning of this. Help, please? — PL

    • Re: “Touch excruciatingly”…?

      LOL,I had the same reaction: Bzzuh?

      So I made up my own interpretation, based on how I viewed that phrase in context.

      I choose to think it means we’re invited to touch with an intensity we’ve never felt before, so as to fully achieve (know and understand) the heights, breadth and depth of that experience. You are free to create your own meaning, of course. 🙂

      • Re: “Touch excruciatingly”…?

        “I choose to think it means we’re invited to touch with an intensity we’ve never felt before, so as to fully achieve (know and understand) the heights, breadth and depth of that experience. You are free to create your own meaning, of course. :)”

        I think that yours is about as good an interpretation of the phrase as is likely to be, and it makes me wonder again why — in the context of something which is clearly intended to be inspirational — this kind of confusing language was used. Why not just “Touch intensely”?

        Especially given that every other word in that illustration’s list is common and simple and clear, and “excruciatingly” stands out like an excruciatingly sore thumb. And the common meaning of “excruciating”, as you know, is:

        “extremely painful; causing intense suffering; unbearably distressing; torturing”

        … with the secondary meaning being:

        “exceedingly elaborate or intense; extreme”

        This kind of thing, I confess, pushes my “Pointless! Hyperbole!” button… much like when people want to say “many”, or “VERY many”, or “more than I can count”, they use “countless”.. which literally means INFINITE (and you see this terrible usage regarding ridiculously banal things like “I tipped over the bowl and countless M&M’s spilled onto the floor”).

        I Googled the phrase “Touch excruciatingly” and got 3620 hits, of which the third contained this line:

        “Their tongues met, and, heart thundering, his sense of touch excruciatingly acute, he let his desire control him.”

        … which brought forth a chuckle. I also discovered that the woman who crafted the phrase in question — Mary Anne Radmacher — does a lot of this kind of inspirational stuff, and you can see more at this page:

        http://athenadreams.typepad.com/design/2009/09/mary-anne-radmacher-lovely-mentionables.html

        And in doing the search, I found this page of links to inspirational quotes, which might come in handy:

        http://www.quotes-inspirational.info/quotes/touch/

        Sorry to go on like this — I hope it has not been too.. well, you know. — PL

  12. I like you choice word. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is the future. Now is where we plan for tomorrow. We need to live now because we are not guaranteed tomorrow will come. Live each moment “now” and enjoy life and all the beauty that abounds all around us. May this year bring many good things your way with many opportunities to see much beauty all around. I know “Witness” will progress and when the time is ready, it will come to life through your words. Looking forward to that time. May God bless you and your family this year.

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