Have You Picked Your WORD for the New Year yet?
Yeah - me neither. I’m doing things a little differently this year.
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For the past few years, it's been trendy to choose a single Word to express and inspire all your hopes, dreams, directions, and aspirations in the coming year. Good, solid, meaningful Words like Balance, or Enlighten, or Wonder, or Cultivate, or Renew.
The goal is to keep your attention fixed on your Word throughout the year, and let that focus help you become the person you hope to be. For many, this annual Word-choosing has become an intrinsic part of their personal New Years rite; so much so that I know one person who won't even acknowledge that the New Year has arrived until her Word of the year has been chosen.
Unfortunately, the single Word exercise has never inspired me the way I thought it should. In years past when I've chosen a Word, I've never been successful adhering to its focus for more than a few weeks; so sometime between President's Day and Valentine's Day, I'm usually stumbling into another rabbit hole and forgetting my Word entirely.
Then, about a year ago, I started including the following quote on my email signature:
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
- Dalai Lama
Will Choosing a "Guiding Quote" Make Any REAL Difference In My Life?
My initial intention in adding this quote to my emails was simply to telegraph a message about the core values of “The Good Hearted Woman." However, I had an ulterior motive, too: it was a reminder – for me.
With that simple message added, every email I sent out throughout the year reminded me to be kind. It reminded me to consider the person on the other end. It reminded me - everyone has a story.
As the year progressed, I found myself spending time contemplating the deeper meanings and nature of kindness. In my journal, I revisited old discussions on altruism and agape and existence and our responsibilities to our fellow humans. (My old existentialism prof, Dr. Askay, would be proud.)
The Real Reason to Choose a New Years Quote
Here’s the coolest part: After a year of actively considering kindness and its place in my life every day, I believe that I am actually a little kinder today than I was this time last year. Measurably so.
Moreover, I believe that this change is the direct result of seeing that quote every day and focusing on making it part of who I am.
In addition to helping me grow as a person, this experience reminded me in a real way that the messages we give ourselves every day can have profound impact on our life, how we perceive ourselves, and how we interact with the rest of the world.
That quote reached and engaged me in a way a Word never has.
This year, instead of flailing around trying to find that one single, perfect WORD to encompass all of my hopes, dreams, aspirations, beliefs, philosophies, and so forth for the New Year (only to abandon it halfway through February because I’ve found a prettier, shinier word) I’ve decided to find a message - a quote - that I truly love and want to live by, and aim for that.
I suppose that choosing a quote to focus on for the year isn’t really much different from choosing a WORD (it’s just more words, right?), but a quote just seems to work better for me.
Here’s the quote I’m taping to my desk this year:
"She dances to the songs in her head,
speaks with the rhythm of her heart,
and loves from the depths of her soul."
~ Dean Jackson
I chose this quote for a number of reasons, some very personal; but at the heart of it, the choice was simple: whenever I read it, I feel encouraged and empowered and passionate about to following the inspirations of my heart. I want to live the kind of life that would inspire such a quote.
In my search for my guiding quote for the upcoming year, I gathered a collection of thoughtful, inspiring quotes to guide the New Year. Here are some of my very favorite:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.” “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” “Whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” “You are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream.” “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” “I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.” “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” “I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.” “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” “Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” “I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. “I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.” “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” 21 Guiding New Years Quotes
Henry David Thoreau
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
C.S. Lewis
Louis L’Amour
Marilyn Monroe
Oscar Wilde
Bernard M. Baruch
Neil Gaiman
Mae West
Helen Keller
Maya Angelou
Mahatma Gandhi
Rob Siltanen
H. Jackson Brown Jr. [P.S. I Love You]
Marie Curie
Neil Gaiman [Coraline]
Lao Tzu
Albert Einstein
Dr. Seuss
George Eliot
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Marette Flora says
These are such great quotes to start the year with. I will have to save this for later when I lose motivation.
Gail says
Thank you for sharing these quotes. I've never picked A word for the year (that's a LONG time for one word)., but I do love the idea of choosing guiding phrases. I'm thinking I might choose a "Phrase of the Month". You've listed some wonderful quotes and they each deserve their own time to be savored. Thanks!
Renée ♥ says
I really like the idea of choosing a Phrase of the Month!
Rosalyne Field says
Some great, inspiring quotes to start off the year! I always love to quote my father, who says: "It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice!" - I live by that one!! Thanks for the inspirations to start off 2019. May your year be blessed.
Renée ♥ says
Your dad is a wise man. I love that quote.
Marysa says
I am still working on my resolutions, but it's nice to have a quote to help motivate you as well. Thanks for sharing all of these, they are great! All great motivators and things to think about when we go about our daily activities.
Meg Cotner says
Lots of great quotes here - I've always liked that Oscar Wilde one and may claim it as my own quote for the year. Best wishes for a fulfilling 2019, Renée!
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam says
I love love love love love these. I just wrote several in my new planner, and I tweeted this out so others can get inspired, too! Thanks for the share, Renee, and happy New Year!
Renée ♥ says
Thanks so much for all the love, Catherine! I hope this year brings you wonderful new adventures!
Kasey says
Loved the first quote with Henry David Thoreau. This post was super inspiring - thanks for sharing!
Kasey
TheStyleWright.com
Renée ♥ says
Thanks, Kasey! I hope 2019 is a great year for you!
Madi Rowan says
What a wonderful collection of quotes!! Perfect for the New Year! My favorite is the "begin it" quote...such a good message!!
-Madi xo
http://everydaywithmadirae.com
Clare @ Oh These Are The Good Old Days says
i don't want you to think i'm exaggerating, but this is honestly the most perfect list of quotes i've come across i want to post that helen keller on my wall at home as large as can be. i remember quoting maya Angelou at my aunt's wedding reception. it's so lovely. happy new year!
Renée ♥ says
Thanks for the kind words, Clare. I hope you have a wonderful year!
Elisa says
I love motivational quotes! Two of my favourites are in your list (by CS Lewis and Oscar WIlde).
The quote I've got staring at me on my desk today says:
"Never compare your beginning to someone else's middle." by Jon Acuff
Happy New Year!
Renée ♥ says
Oh, I love that one - thanks for sharing!
Christina says
This is absolutely beautiful and so creative to find what works for you through your e-mail signature quote! I have been using a vision board for the last year with huge success. This year, I added picture quotes that I stuck around my room in random places, so that I might happen upon them and be reminded from time to time. One of them for this year is simple: Laugh More. Worry Less.
Renée ♥ says
Thanks for sharing this, Christina. It really does make an impact when we see those messages every day, doesn't it?
cindy says
Thank you for sharing them. Very inspiring!
Caroline @ The Caro Diaries says
I love the idea of using a guiding quote instead of a guiding word! Love the quote you used last year and that it actually made a difference, and I’m excited to read next year if this year influences you too!
Lynda H says
LOVE this. Actually a word for the year is new to me (I miss a lot of trending stuff living in Japan!), but I had thought I would try it this year. But I often have quotes in my mind I refer to when I need a little extra push. I think quotes can motivate me more. I might try taping one to my desk too. Thank you so much for sharing.
Jodi Graham says
These are such beautiful quotes - just reading them makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I especially love the idea of adding an inspiration quote to your email signature - thank you!
Merichelle says
I love idea of a quote! And putting on your email signature is brilliant! The perfect reminder!
Cindy Gordon says
It is amazing what kindness can do for someones day, It is a pretty contagious bug!
Jasmine Hewitt says
these are great quotes to start the year with. especially Oscar Wilde!
Crystal // Dreams, etc. says
I love these! I have two words for my year, but have also been thinking about taking on a quote to guide my year. These are great options!
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
Thank you so much for these inspirational quotes Renee! I love so many of them and I also love the idea of having a "quote" for the New Year.
Blogger Sarah J says
Thank you so much for gathering all of these quotes... my heart really needed to hear them today. Self love is so hard but so worth it!
The Southern Thing says
Love love love these quotes! They're a great pick me up for the new year!