one word: choose
Control is the greatest of all illusions.
We don’t have as much control as we think we do, and yet, at the same time, we have more control than we realize.
Let me try to explain.
I have no control over other drivers on the road or how fast (or slow) my Starbucks barista makes my drink. I can’t control what people think about me. I can’t control the answers to my prayers or the ways I’d like to see God show up in my life. I can’t control crazy circumstances like accidents, surprise illnesses, or high pain days. I can’t control the ways other people’s decisions impact my life.
I have zero control over any of those things, no matter how badly I wish I did.
But — and this is a big but — I do have control over more than I like to admit. It’s just not over the things I’d like to be in control of.
I don’t have control over my circumstances. But I do have control over myself.
No matter what happens to me or what others do, I can control my own choices, responses, and actions.
If I choose to.
But the choice is mine.
In difficult situations, it’s up to me to choose joy. When the wait is long, it’s up to me to choose patience. When trust is hard, it is up to me to choose to trust anyway.
So my One Word for 2012?
I want to be more mindful of the choices I have when everything seems out of control. I want to be more intentional to choose Him and His ways, even when it’s hard. I want to be more purposeful in my responses and reactions to circumstances and people in my life.
I want to remember that while there may be many things I lack, I always have a choice.
And I want to choose well…
Very true. Good word.
@allheartandhome says:
Love your word Sweet Girl! And I couldn’t agree more, can’t wait to hear about all God teaches you this year.
My word is Simplicity…I just breathed deeper as I typed it. I so long for a simplified life.
Love you and praying that your year is full of God-Moments…
smooches and hugs~Robin
@christielici0us says:
I think this is the perfect word for you! I wish you all the best in choosing this coming year!
Like Robin (above), I need to find ways to lead a simplified life, which is why I chose SIMPLIFY as my One Word. I’ll be posting about it next week.
Happy New Year, Alece! I hope 2012 brings you many blessings!
@melissa1970 says:
Great post Alece! I was on the treadmill this morning thinking about what my one word would be for the upcoming year and it definitely needs to be CONSISTENCY. Consistency in my faith, consistency in my relationships, consistency in my parenting, etc. And consistency is a CHOICE. :)
A beautiful message. I will continue to reflect on it. Thank you.
My word for 2012 is reach. It encompasses much of what God has spoken to my heart specifically these last few weeks. It brings my mind to the place of His presence, of His mighty hand and outstretched arm.
All I have to do any time and every time is…REACH for Him.
You know, it’s a perfect word for me for this new season. 2011 was the year of my big stretch. From there, I am ready to grab hold of my Father’s hand even more – reaching for Him just as He reaches for me.
@e_j_reading says:
So wonderfully put. I didn’t officially have a One Word for 2011, mainly because I didn’t know about it! But as I’ve reflected on the year this past week, and thought about my One Word for 2012, I wondered what my word for 2011 was… and it was “choose”. It’s been a year of choosing, choosing trust, choosing, peace, choosing joy, choosing faith.
My Word for 2012 is TRUST. I’ll be blogging about it in the next few days.
Great word. The fact that we have the power to “choose” makes all the difference in the world. I didn’t participate in this last year…found out about it pretty late in the game. I want to this year. A word, my word, came to me yesterday. The word scares me…so I’m thinking it might be THE word to focus on. Hoping to write about it soon. Happy New Year to you!
@joyltrachsel says:
My one word for 2012 is COMPASSION! I want to love on the broken people in my world without fear, hesitation or judgment!
@elainaavalos says:
Such a good word, Alece. This morning, a friend of mine said that she had a word for herself for the year. A word vs. resolutions. After reading through everyone else’s and pondering for awhile, I knew that I knew that I knew what my word was.
I hopped onto Twitter and saw your Tweets about One Word. It was the first time I had heard about it and my friend didn’t know either. I’ve sent her the link to the website. Balance is my word. I haven’t blogged about it just yet. I will shortly. I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for doing this.
mmm… such a good word and a challenging one as well! my word is coming tomorrow…
Wowie…..we’re on the same wave length as I also chose the word “Choose”…..partially because Sarah’s story has inspired me to choose joy in all things. With our year of transition coming up, I have this feeling like I am really going to have to be intentional about my “choosing”. I love it!!! :)
@TimThurman says:
Your post reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90? how I react to it.” Chuck Swindoll.
@kedamak says:
I love your word and look forward to hearing about your journey in the new year. My word for 2012 is rest. It has more implications than the obvious one and I look forward to seeing what I learn in the process this year.
My One Word for 2012 is Gentleness. I need to cultivate a gentler spirit toward myself and others. My word came to me through a deep conviction that I am often harsh, judgmental and cutting. Even if it’s only in my thoughts. This will be a hard and life changing challenge for me.
@amandalou01 says:
Excellent word, friend. Can’t wait to see how it turns out. Mine is “pluck” – the noun, not the verb ;) I came up with it when trying to describe my grandmothers. One definition said “dogged resolution in the face of difficulty” which seemed great, until I started having to be plucky in 2011 :) I guess having my computer stolen on my birthday weekend just 2 days before moving cross-country is my trial run for showing some gumption ha!
Such a powerful word! Thanks for the reminder.
My word for 2012 is Encourage!
Look forward to sharing the one word journey with you.
Ahh! Love that word. I chose embrace for some similar reasons. I’m tired of side-hugging everything that life throws at me. I’m ready to full on bear-hug embrace everything this year has in store.
@savedsister7 says:
I love your word sweet friend. thank you so much for inviting all of us on this one word journey with you.
I was reading my google reader in reverse and just saw that we have the same word this year! Too funny! Although, i keep swinging back and forth between “choose” and “breathe”. I keep being faced with both and feel God really trying to grow me through these things. Guess I have to “choose”….
@PamelaSHunter says:
Wow..
So profound. Been that kind of day, week, and month. Again, i believe you are the bearer of Gods truth, and the discipline He wants me to hear. So, on that note, my one word 365 is “listen”.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me and for your divine wisdom.
Choosing Joy,
Pamela
@mirandabean says:
Love this, LOVE. I can’t wait to post about my word :)
i love choose. i’ve been thinking a lot about mindfulness, too. blessings on the journey.
Yes, I have chosen my word. I love your word, Alece, as usual. :)
You can read about my new word, here….
http://wifemothersisterfriendwoman.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/one-word-2012/
Good word! Reminds me of my favorite part of the book East of Eden…Steinbeck uses the word Timshel to speak of man’s ability to choose. Mumford and Sons wrote a song by the name of Timshel too. You are off on an great start to an adventurous new year!
@jtaylorwrites says:
Absolutely love this post Alece…
Such truth and wisdom shared.
Excellent word choice.
Looking forward to seeing how God will direct your steps as you continue along your journey in 2012.
@hopefulleigh says:
Love it! I can’t wait to see where it takes you.
Mary Kathryn and I were chatting last night and realized we have the same word. Plan to post on it soon!
We always have a choice! That’s hard to see sometimes. I love that you are choosing.
Choose Joy, Alece! Choose Joy!
Love you,
Brother Bean
@ventigrace says:
Love the power in your one word for this year… so good. Love the new site… and mostly, love what He’s doing through you!!!
Love your OneWord! Mine for 2012 is “still.”
still=calm
still=abstaining from motion
still=quiet, free from noise or turbulence
still=in spite of, yet
I have a feeling I’m in for some challenges.
Love you, friend!
@MichaelDPerkins says:
Love the word.
And so right. We can choose.
@wls1961 says:
I have always told my girls you have a choice as to how you react. My word is deliberate. To live and love deliberately is my choice for 2012!
It took me a while but, I think I have a word now. :) Purpose.
I am praying that everything I do this coming year comes because I have a purpose for doing it…to Glorify God!
@bahava says:
love love the word. a good reminder to my heart as well that there is a choice in it.
@Auburn_Jones says:
What a excellent post! I loved it! My one word for this year is Embrace. I need to embrace life with my hands wide open. I need to learn how to EMBRACE the life that the Lord has given me.
@winsomsouls says:
Good word…still praying for mine. I shared this in a group of women yesterday. The first response was a lot like mine last year…doubtful, scoffing how it was possible to have “one word” for an entire year. Yet I can remember very clearly God giving me my One Word last year and how it has played out through the year in my life. My Word last year was willing. I think that will be a life word for me!
Thank you Alece. =)
@iloveblogs44 says:
I love that we chose the same word this year! I’m looking forward to “choosing” with you :) Also, I love that you found “choose” in Sara’s writing…I couldn’t find that word on her list from last year to download for my blog. Guess maybe I’ll have to stick with the refrigerator magnets ;)
Love, hugs, and prayers friend.
@multitaskingme says:
I love this word!! Look forward to following your journey with it in 2012.
@ashleyasmith says:
SO TRUE!
I want to choose well, too.
I love you.
@DanielCWhite says:
Well said my friend!
@lappiah says:
My one word for 2012 is Audacious. Webster’s defines it as, “intrepidly daring : adventurous; recklessly bold; marked by originality.” E.E. Cummings said
“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”
This year my goal is to be recklessly bold and daring in my pursuit of being and doing 100% of who and what the Lord purposed me.
@maryjohess says:
Parousia | be present
I’m focusing on being actively present in the moment – not distracted – gonna be an interesting year!
http://ow.ly/8gyl9
My word for this year is “ENGAGE.”
@crittyjoy says:
Your word and this post are so thought provoking. I will be thinking on this. I am so thankful for this little community of oneworders and the challenges and encouragement they bring!
@KellySinging says:
Sounds a lot like you’re making the choice to walk in the Spirit! ;) My one word is FAITH, and immediately new circumstances came into my life. It’s not been easy, but I hope to build a new habit pattern to act with faith instead of react in my flesh with doubt and worry. I’m already seeing God move!
Thanks for the community. I love the change to 365 on the end as a daily reminder. Praying for you! :)
Love your word Alece! And thank you for doing this! I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings for everyone with their one word :-)
At first I thought my word for the year was “embrace”. But now I realise it is “choose” … and your post has strengthened my decision.
While I certainly need to embrace myself and my life, a larger problem is that I passively let life happen to me and go through the motions for the mere sake of it, instead of making prayer-fuelled, intentional choices. Additionally, during particularly emotional times, I am crabby, selfish and sluggish, and tell myself that “I can’t help it”. That is a lie. No-one is perfect and we will all mess up many, many times. But I CAN choose to obey. To hold my tongue. To, at the very least, do the next thing – however small and simple. To spend an evening by myself if it means not hurting people.
My life thus far has been dominated by my feelings, by allowing said feelings to overcome me. It is time for me to choose. Choose joy, choose peace, choose to trust in the Word when nothing else makes sense.
Here’s to a 2012 of choosing.
@tamikaeason says:
Love your one word for the new year! This is one of the hardest truths to wrap my mind around. But I agree that once I put it into practice it will change my life.
Happy New Year!
@Soulstops says:
You have chosen well w/ your word…so much truth and wisdom in your post, Alece…Thank you! My word for 2012 is “OPEN” and after blogging about it, I found out about your one-word movement (through another reader) after I picked it, but I’ve linked up now and I look fwd to reading other people’s posts. Fabulous idea of yours…Thanks for hosting!
As part of being open, I signed up for Twitter, but have lots to learn still :)
though i didn’t post about my word in 2011, the Lord brought one to me repeatedly through the year. i have been considering whether i would jump in with an “official” (meaning: put on a screen for another human to read) word for 2012 and what it would be. it’s been coming over the months, really. He has led me in the Word, He has spoken it to me through others and, mostly, He has had me gazing in wonder into my own spirit and seeing it there:
PEACE
my husband left a few months ago. the very thing i feared and fought for so long happened. in the stead of fear and panic, i have experienced peace. glory be! this new year poses to face many challenges; some i know, some i can see glimpses of, and some will come that i cannot see from here. one of the few things i can really count on is that His peace will flow as i need it.
i decided to do some quick research before committing to this word here on the screen (because once i do that, i am all in!). i had absolutely no idea that one of the first definitions for this word in the Lexicon is “completeness (in number)”. you know how it feels to be ripped in half. my family of 4 is now 3. i have been researching divorce documents this evening…and now the Lord shows me this. He confirms that this season is about learning to live in His peace. wow. the tears are flowing.
blessings on you this year! shalom :)
@TimThurman says:
My heart breaks for you, Brandie, but thankful that you are experiencing peace. I pray you continue to experience the peace that passes all understanding. Best wishes.
@n8iveson says:
So many times I struggle with this. The idea that I can not control the things that I want to control put me in constant conflict with myself. Instead of focusing on my sphere of influence I spend the bulk of my life playing the coulda, woulda, shoulda game. Glad to know that I am not the only one who temporarily loses my focus. Thanks for sharing.
Reminds me of a story a friend of mine told about her mother. The kids always claimed that the mother would be content in a broken-down shack in the middle of the woods–it didn’t matter where she was or what her circumstances were, she always chose to be happy. She would sing and praise the Lord no matter what.
That humble, contended attitude sounds like it’s in your future! :)
Great post. The choices we make can make all the difference in the world. Choose well.,
I had a good thought during my devotional time today, and I thought I remembered someone’s word being choose, so I thought I’d share.
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one your your book” (Psalm 56:8).
After reading this, I was struck by the idea that God could be distant from us. He could be uninvolved in our lives, and it would make him no less God. But he chooses to come close. He chooses to be involved. He choose to actively love us.
And it is the presence of his love through the Holy Spirit that shows me he is real and true. It is his presence in my life, those undeniable moments of connecting with Someone bigger than I can imagine. It is his presence in the lives of believers around me when they choose to love with his love. It’s the choices I make to live for more than myself. It is the inexplicable presence of goodness in our world despite forces working to unravel it. It is Christ choosing to lay down hi life for us.
That’s a powerful word to choose.
Good word. Lovely post. And yes, indeed I did choose my word for 2012…it’s hope, and you can read why over here:
http://wp.me/p1N0v1-h2
@mktys0n says:
i love your word, friend!
it’s so empowering and freeing!
so good. so, so good.
xo