My Theme Word for 2022 & Being Vs. Doing
Most years I pick a theme or a word for the year. If I picked one in 2021, I honestly don’t remember it, but I do have my theme word for 2022. I’ll share with you the process that helped me select this year’s theme word.
David and I took our youngest child to Nashville, Tennessee to catch a plane to college on New Year’s Day. Afterward, we headed into downtown Nashville to walk around Broadway and listen to music. It was raining, but warmer than typical December weather. I took this photo of Dave (above) while we were waiting for a restaurant table. I love this photo of him. It looks almost like a painting.
What Went Well in 2021?
On our way home, a thought came to me to discuss what went well in 2021. What did we accomplish? What did we learn? What did we experience that we enjoyed? Dave’s first response to my question about what went well in 2021 was to start talking about how he felt he failed. I stopped him and said, “That’s not what I asked. I asked what went well! What did you do or experience that you feel good about?”
As he shifted his thoughts, and we began reviewing the year together, he realized he spent a lot of time being there for other people. Many of his family members and my family members needed his help this year. He rose to the occasion in an amazingly generous way. By the time we went month-by-month through the year, he felt incredibly good about himself and how 2021 went. Looking for the good has a tendency to do that. We’re often so hard on ourselves because we focus on what we didn’t do instead of what we DID do. Most of all, we need to focus on who we’re becoming and how we show up.
Great Expectations … Or Not!
As we talked, I realized one of the most significant shifts for me in 2021 was letting go of my expectations. When I relaxed into letting life be what it needed to be … and not what I expected or wanted it to be… my stress levels dropped. I was able to see the beauty and fun in things I would have never selected to do. (Granted, Dave has a way of creating fun wherever he goes.)
We spent some time nearly every month of 2021 doing something for family – whether it was his or mine. We both have elderly parents and some had health issues. Months of elder care trips led up to Dave’s step-mom passing away in June.
Being Vs. Doing
A few weeks into 2021, I realized that I needed to set aside my need to accomplish things and relax into being there for others. Or at the least I decided to go with the flow and be supportive of my husband and the responsibilities he felt toward family. As I did this, my focus shifted to “being” rather than “doing.” Being more compassionate, more willing to cut other people some slack, more willing to be a peaceful presence, and show up as love.
While I certainly wasn’t perfect, I made progress. I can honestly say that some situations which would have been problematic in the past went much more smoothly as I focused on being compassionate instead of focusing on desired outcomes.
My Theme Word for 2022
Based on this review of 2021, I’ve selected the theme word of “Love” for 2022. I’ve still got plenty of room for growth in this area, and I think it deserves another year or two or 42!
What did you learn in 2021? What’s your word or theme for 2022?
