One Word Can Change the World
In January 2012, I heard a morning DJ talk about picking a one-word theme for the year rather than making a bunch of New Year’s resolutions she could not keep. Her idea resonated with me. That very day I picked the word organize to be my word for the year. Getting organized was not easy for me, but picking that word to keep in mind was doable. One word continuously on my mind was much simpler for me than a half dozen goals.
That year, I focused on getting every part of my life in order: my work desk and routine, dressers and closets, the bills, the garage—everything I could think of. At the end of the year, my world was far from perfect, but it was way more organized than if I hadn’t focused on getting organized.
The following year, I moved organize to the back of the filing cabinet of my mind and focused on the word balance. I attempted to maintain balance in my life while remembering to keep things organized.
2014 brought on the word efficiency followed by health in 2015. Each year, as I add a word, I try to keep the previous words in mind. Thus, becoming better and more focused with each passing year without the pressure of setting and fulfilling or not fulfilling goals or resolutions.
Early in my focus-word journey, I shared the idea with others who told others. Certainly, if I could, I would go back to that DJ and share with her how that one concept she shared with her listeners on that cold winter commute has changed how I and so many others approach the new year and our lives.
In 2009, Andy Andrews wrote a short, yet powerful read called The Butterfly Effect, How Your Life Matters. Andy’s book is based on the theory presented in 1963 by scientist Edward Lorenz. He hypothesized that a butterfly flapping its wings would move molecules of air, which would move more molecules of air, and so on, which, over time, might start a hurricane on the other side of the world. The point is that everything we do affects the world in some way. Everything we do matters.
Six months ago, with the help of my friend Kathy, I started this blog. My intent was twofold: to gain experience writing, which will help me in writing my book Finding Joy, and to make a difference in the lives of those who read my blog. What I didn’t expect was how much your support would affect me. The simple acts of reading, commenting, encouraging, and passing along my web address to others have inspired me to do more, to keep flapping my butterfly wings.
Today I write this post to say thank you for your support. Thank you for flapping your wings, for making a difference, for changing the world. After 12 years of focus words, my word for 2024 is in fact: FOCUS. I intend to focus on writing Finding Joy and this blog. But more importantly, I want to focus on you. If there is anything I can do to support you, please let me know. May 2024 be all that you hope for and more.
What are your thoughts on New Year’s resolutions, focus words, and the butterfly effect? Please comment below.
December 30, 2023 @ 8:48 pm
I really enjoy your thoughtful blog posts. I could use some of your focus words. Keep beating those wings.
January 1, 2024 @ 6:20 pm
Thanks, Jeanette. Thanks for reading and commenting. Happy New Year to you! Did you go to the parade again this year?
December 30, 2023 @ 11:57 pm
Joy, thank you very much for your focus word. I never heard that concept before. I like the idea of picking one word versus a list of New Year’s resolutions. Thank you for sharing this wonderful gift. I think my word for 2024 will be pray……
Thank you for the insight, happy new year!
January 1, 2024 @ 6:19 pm
Prayer. Another good idea. Keep me posted on that one.
December 31, 2023 @ 5:52 am
Thank you Joy for sharing this concept with me so many years ago. I as well have shared it with others, and we have enjoyed discussing our new word for the new year! It has been such a help in keeping me and many others focused on the changes we would like to make in our lives for the new year and for years ahead. I have also given myself the freedom to duplicate a word from years past that I feel I need to bring back to the Forefront. My word for this year is completion. I want to focus on completing what I begin and not feeling that I have several things that I am in the middle of, but nothing actually completed. Thank you again for sharing your joy of writing, and your joy of living with a purpose.
January 1, 2024 @ 6:16 pm
I’m glad the idea has helped you and that you have passed it along to others. It’s a helpful concept. Completion. That’s a good word. I’m sure many of us have unfinished projects we would like to complete. Like maybe a book even?
December 31, 2023 @ 9:17 am
Focus word is a great idea. I have enjoyed reading several of your writings and look forward to reading more!
December 31, 2023 @ 2:56 pm
Thanks, Kathy. I appreciate you reading and commenting. May 2024 be a year you can focus on what is important to you.
January 1, 2024 @ 3:41 pm
I just reread your blog on sleeping Bear dunes national Park as that was one of Chuck’s in my favorite places, awesome! Then I read your new blog on choosing different words and this year for 2024 is focus , I enjoyed it, but my very favorite still is but by the grace of God where are you and the bison had a stand off. I am glad God gave you another chance at life. I think the reason I like that flag the most is because it reminds me of a trip that Chuck and I took with our children out to see Rocky mountain national park right outside of Estes Park in Colorado. We spent the night at a motel in Estes Park and then as I was getting things ready in the morning so we could take off and drive into Rocky Mountain national park our daughter Natalie who was grade school age went outside and the next thing I saw when loading the car was Natalie feeding a huge elk!!! She had a handful of Cheerios, which was her favorite cereal, and she was holding her hand open at the elk was literally eating it out of her hand! I said Natalie don’t run or make any wild movements but please come over to the car right now, she came over and said what’s the matter and I replied Natalie that’s a wild animal you can’t feed it like that and her reply was no it’s not wild it’s tame, I am very thankful that God protected her and we tried to explain to her that we do not feed wild animals. Have a wonderful 2024!
January 1, 2024 @ 6:12 pm
Wow! Mary Anne. That is quite a story! I’ve barely gotten to see elk, much less be close enough to have one eat out of my hand. Thanks for sharing. Thanks too for reading and commenting on my blogs.
Happy New Year to you!
January 2, 2024 @ 8:22 pm
Joy you are the most self deciplined person I know. Happt New Year !!! Great article.
January 5, 2024 @ 10:42 pm
Thank you, Tony. It is all about focus. 😉
Wishing you the best in 2024.
January 15, 2024 @ 8:22 pm
Loved the book, The Butterfly Effect. It’s on my night stand as a reminder that everything we do affects the world in some way. Everything we do matters.
Thank you for sharing it, and I pray that your eyes, ears, and heart will be open to seeing how you affect the world through your writing.
Keep up the good work!
January 16, 2024 @ 4:59 pm
You are definitely a butterfly who has been flapping her wings in a lot of fields. Keep up the good work. And thanks for your encouragement.
Eternal Hope - Joy M Walker
March 31, 2024 @ 1:47 pm
[…] Looking back, are you where you had hoped you would be three months ago? In my New Year’s post, https://joymwalker.com/2023/12/31/one-word/ I encouraged you to pick one word to focus on for the year. If you picked a word for 2024, today is […]