My word for 2023 is deliberate.
When choosing my defining word of the year, I always look up the meaning. “Deliberate” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “characterized by or resulting from careful and thorough consideration.”
I chose the word at the close of last year, aware that I was feeling emotionally, mentally, and spiritually fractured. I had many things going on, great things but still things that required my energy.
As a lifelong learner, I have an insatiable desire for new information and skills. In today’s world, there’s an abundance of these right on my phone. It’s dizzying how fast I can access information about any topic.
Accepting that my energy is finite—and like water, it will nourish what I pour it into—I had to make some decisions. As the year began, I got clear on my purpose and priorities, which gave me a guide to make decisions about where to put my energy. Some things I’ve let go of and some I’ve poured more energy into.
It has also helped to seek educational opportunities that align with my priorities in the direction I want to go. As a student of YouTube and Google, I’ve proven to myself that I’m capable of learning what I need to in order to get the job done and also ask for help from wise counsel.
I can learn almost anything.
But I can’t learn EVERYTHING.
With a daily practice of prayer and meditation, I seek to be deliberate in my pursuit of learning new things. I’ve unsubscribed from most email subscriptions and set timers for myself on social media and other platforms that could offer both opportunities and distractions.
Protecting my own energy aligns with the part in the serenity prayer “courage to change the things I can”— it requires attention and preparation. Being able to harness that energy and use it carefully and with thorough consideration to continue on my journey toward the things that are important to me is a blessing.
In The Ahab Inside, author Michael Gorham harnesses his creative energy and skills to drive social change around addiction through theater (p. 10).
If a new career path is in your sights for this year, check out Dan Belyea’s personal recovery story for information on his programs for internships and apprenticeships (p. 6).
For a free, instant access to a life-affirming support activity, check out Greg Marley’s article about “A Walk in the Woods” (p. 9).
Finally, I’m thrilled to share that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris now has one of Journey’s signature bracelets! We met when I was in Washington D.C. to accept the award for the 2023 SBA Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Maine.
When she read it, she said, “Amplify hope—I love that,” and hugged me.
I love it too!
Grateful.
Carolyn