New Year, New Beginnings… Part II
2010… it’s hard to believe it’s already over! Once again, it’s time for me make my year-end picks. I must pick my word of the year, and a meaningful new banner picture – something that I can look at for an entire year without getting sick of it. For those of you who missed it last year, here’s the link to New Year, New Beginnings Part I.
Even after a full year of looking at my banner pic, I’m sad to see it go. The below collage was made from all things I love, and I think the visual description alone pretty much says it all. Five little things at a glance that describe me.
Banner picture for 2010
For every year since the start of my ‘new life’, I’ve donned a single word that seems to most closely correspond with what that year meant to me. This whole word thing started pretty innocently in 2008, when I reflected back and chose the word Monumental. 2008 was the year I grew a backbone, or I’d like to think part of one – and walked that plank in search of a new life. The word I chose for 2009 was Colorful. 2009 was the year of mistakes growing for me. The chance to experience many, many firsts and new things, as well as learning truckloads about my own self.
On to my word of 2010. Drum Roll Please…
Serene. Isn’t that nice? I even like the way it looks. True, it doesn’t pack a punch like Monumental does. It doesn’t make the mind wonder what the hell I’ve been up to like Colorful does. It’s simple. The way my year was. Simple, easy… predictable. And, predictable can be a very good thing.
There’s also something else – something I honestly hadn’t contemplated until after I’d already chosen my word. As a young girl, I decided I didn’t like my name. My fix was, much to my Mother’s chagrin, ‘changing’ it to one of my own choosing. My choice was Serena. I was often asked ‘oh you mean Selena?’ ‘No’, I would say, ‘Serena.’ I could never explain exactly why I loved this name, and I even used it as my own signature until a teacher told me I couldn’t do it anymore. I was crushed! Such a beautiful name that was just slightly beyond my reach. Of course I grew out of this ‘phase’, but even in reflecting back, I remember how good the name made me feel when I used it as my own. (I also used to go around with a bright yellow turtleneck attached to my head, pretending I had long flowing blonde hair… but that’s another story. I blame all that on the Barbies.)
I like to think that after this year… I’ve finally found myself. Because, I actually feel ‘Serene’.
I believe I’ve finally found Serena.
I’d like to wish a Happy New Year to all of you. May it be a year of good health, prosperity, peace and unity for us all – God bless.
Life of Bon 
I see, you pick the word at the end of the year to describe what the year has been. That’s a smart way to do it. My church used a different idea and each of us chose a word for the year upcoming. My word for 2010 was “Watch”. My theory was that I would watch God work in my life and the life of those for whom I pray. If I were to look back and give Year 2010 a description, it would be “New”. Year 2010 began a new season of my life, a good one.
I will choose the word “Hope” for upcoming Year 2011, hope for blessings long awaited. Many blessings to you, Bonnie. I love the name Serena. And I’m glad that your year has been serene. May this Year 2011 be the best yet!
December 30, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Thanks, dear Carol Ann. I love your chosen word ‘hope’… that’s a powerful one all right. I wish a very blessed New Year for you, Johannes and the rest of your family!!
December 31, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Neat post–and thanks for sharing the process you go through each year…
I think my word for this year just past is this:
awakened.
blessings
jane
December 30, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Thanks so much, dear Jane. I love your word ‘awakened’ and the fact that it leaves so much to ponder… many blessings to you and your family in the New Year!!
December 31, 2010 at 10:04 pm
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Serene…I love that word. It calms me down just reading it.
January 3, 2011 at 3:24 pm
I did too… and you’re right it’s very calming. Thanks for stopping by and blessings to you for the New Year!
January 3, 2011 at 7:21 pm
I love your idea of choosing a word to describe your year. I also love Carol Ann’s idea of choosing a word to focus on during the new year.
I guess the word I would choose for my life last year is “beginnings”… I don’t know though, it’s hard to choose just one word to sum up a year!
I think my word for the new year should be “courage.”
January 10, 2011 at 1:37 am
You’re absolutely right… it IS tough to choose only one word as a summation of an entire year. I love your word ‘beginnings’ for 2010 as well as ‘courage’ for 2011. Sounds as though we might’ve even walked down the same road. 🙂 I wish you much luck and success for the year in accomplishing your goals!
January 10, 2011 at 8:03 am