Word of the Year-Listen

We are a few weeks into 2020 and I FINALLY came up with my word of the year. I don’t take like this lightly. I am prayerful and thoughtful about my word of the year each time.

As I am working on my new years goals, I want it to be something that is realistic. Not necessarily easy, but attainable. Do you feel the same way?

In the past I have made a whole long list of what I want to accomplish in a year. I may have success with one or two goals and then feel defeated at the end of the year because I haven’t fulfilled all of them. This year I wanted to simplify my life, mind and spirit.

If you know me personally, you know that I am talkative and enjoy people. In the past few years with my seizure disorder/epilepsy coming on so strong, I have pulled back from mingling with others. I actually have developed some anxiety when being around others.

It isn’t always, and most of the time comes out of nowhere. Ugh! So rather than being in a crowd and feeling like I need to contribute to a conversation, it is better for me to sit back, listen and learn from others. It also helps with my anxiety. If I consciously make an effort to listen, my anxiety calms down.

Most of you know that we moved to a new area in the Vegas valley last year. (Almost 11 months ago) As we moved into this new to me cottage apartment, I got a very strong feeling to just listen to the new neighbors I would meet.

I pondered, prayed and thought about a Word of the Year-Listen. It clearly was the perfect word for me. Saying that I am perfect at it is definitely a work in progress. That’s why it is a real goal for me.

Not only does it help relieve my anxiety, I am LEARNING from others. I learn about them, their life experiences, their life lessons, their family, jobs, travels, spiritual experiences, hard times, wonderful times, and it helps me get a clear perspective on my own life.