One Word - 2017

Sheila, of Book Journey, has invited everyone to again choose a word for the year. In 2013 she found this site that suggested choosing one word to live your new year by rather than setting resolutions. In 2014 I saw a man named Jon Gordon talk about doing this and I was as enthused about it as Sheila was the year before.

In 2014, I picked the word "self." And then I forgot all about it (kind of like those resolutions I previously picked). It was a good word and it was a shame I didn't follow up with it. I didn't even think about a word for 2015. Maybe because 2014 was a bust? Last year, I picked the word "happier." I did a better job with it, helped by the little notes I put up all over with the word on it. Still, I wish I had done better and vowed that I really needed to choose a word this year that is perfect for what I want from myself this year, one that can really be a driving goal.

I probably considered 20 different words for 2017, thinking of the way they would apply to me, looking at their dictionary definitions. I looked at other people's words for the past few years. I thought about exactly what my goals are. I have to get some (a lot) of weight off, I need to eat better, I want to reduce stress - all of which improve my physical well being, especially my heart health. As soon as I thought of it that way, I knew what my word for 2017 would be - "heart."

heart 
noun
1. Anatomy. a hollow, pumplike organ of blood circulation
2. the center of the total personality, especially with reference to intuition, feeling, or emotion
3. the center of emotion, especially as contrasted to the head as the center of the intellect
4. capacity for sympathy; feeling; affection
5. spirit, courage, or enthusiasm
6. the innermost or central part of anything

verb
1. after one's own heart, in keeping with one's taste or preference
2. at heart, in reality; fundamentally; basically
3. break someone's heart, to cause someone great disappointment or sorrow
4. by heart, by memory; word-for-word
5. cross one's heart, to maintain the truth of one's statement; affirm one's integrity
6. do someone's heart good, to give happiness or pleasure to; delight
7. to have sorrow or longing dominate one's emotions; grieve inconsolably

"Heart" suits me for 2017 for the physical reasons but it also suits me for it's other meanings. I want my heart to be the center of my personality and I want it to guide me to show my feelings in more concrete ways. I want to live with spirit, courage, and enthusiasm. I want to do the things that do my heart good, that give me pleasure and happiness.

I have a goal this year, a wedding in six months. It's important to me that this celebration of the heart be my focus in taking care of my own heart in 2017.

Are you picking one word for 2017? If so, what is your word?