My One Word for 2017 #OneWord2017

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Choosing ONE word for the entire year? Not easy. I finally narrowed it down to three:

Present

Engage

Accept

I want to be more present in my life and I realized that, if I fully engage, I can be. And to engage, I need to accept some things. (This is how I worked it out, anyway.)

Therefore, my one word this year is:

Accept

I hear you sneering (or perhaps it’s me), “Accept?! You’re just going to accept whatever happens? That’s so…so…”

Crap, huh?

To accept something seems passive.

However, I am choosing this word as my focus for the entire year above all the other glorious words in the English language. I’ve thought a lot about this.

I lost count of how many times I’ve caught myself saying, “I can’t believe this happened.” Or “I can’t believe she did that.”

“I can’t believe…” Well, gentle readers, it’s about time I start believing some things, you know?

Accept.

The Webster’s New Explorer College Dictionary definition:

 

ac·cept

verb: to receive as true

 

Ah. Truth. Now we’re getting somewhere.

I do not mean “get over it”, “that’s the way it is”, or “give up”.

I’ve heard “accept” used in these ways my whole life so it has always had a negative connotation for me.

Now I’m going to flip this word on its ass and my attitude is going with it.

I will not accept that the roof is leaking in the sense that I’ll shrug and live with a leaky roof. I’ll accept that the roof is leaking in the sense that once I accept it, I will do something about it.

Accepting my life the way it is doesn’t mean I won’t keep fighting. It means I will receive it as true instead of raging about how it shouldn’t be this way. It is, dude. It really is that way.

I need to act.

But acceptance isn’t the act, it’s what precipitates the act.

Accepting something isn’t the end, it’s the beginning. “I accept this…now what am I going to do about it?”

This is not going to be easy for me. Eh. I accept that.

 

Have you ever taken part in the One Word Challenge?

If you haven’t, why not try it? Or think on it a moment and leave one in the comments. What could your focus be this year? I’d love to hear what your One Word is for 2017.

 

65 thoughts on “My One Word for 2017 #OneWord2017”

  1. I think “accept” is a great word for 2017, and it doesn’t imply passively putting up with bad things.

    My word is “communicate”. I tend to bottle things up and I’m not good at talking about what I feel or want. I’m also not good at saying no. Things to be conscious of and work on improving!

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    • Thanks. I’m still getting used to this new connotation.

      Communicate. What an absolutely fabulous word. Communication with ourselves and others is crucial (and, honestly, something a lot of us aren’t great at). Do NOT get me started on saying “no”. I seriously need help with that. Here’s to being conscious of and working on improving ourselves in 2017. 💖

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  6. Fantastic philosophical post. I sort of do the same, but in a kind of word for a theme way. I’m struggling to narrow it down. There’s a lot I want to make this year. Positivity keeps coming back to me, so maybe it’s that, a whole year of being positive.

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  8. Love this! Your post reminded me of an Amish quote from my childhood. Something to the effect of “and we have another choice – to accept that we didn’t get to choose”. I have to remind myself of it when I’m kicking and screaming about stuff.

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    • See, I like “accept”. Obviously. But there’s been talk of “choice” in the comments. There’s a real connection between those two words and your quote is why. I am totally printing this out. I won’t discount that there are things we don’t or can’t choose. “and we have another choice – to accept that we didn’t get to choose.” Perfect. 💖

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  9. Great word, Sarah. I suppose accept could be the opposite of deny, and there is way too much denial in this world. You’re right that acceptance is often the first step toward engagement. And it does require a degree of clarity or presense. My word, as it is every year, is kindness.

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    • Yes! Exactly. The opposite of “deny”. We can’t act on anything if we’re in denial about it. And the first step toward engagement then on to presence. Hopefully that’s the way it goes.
      “Kindness” is a wonderful choice. Everyone should tape “kindness” to their desk, mirror, computer, fridge, whatever…and focus on that. It’s a great way to set your mind on a positive course throughout the day. We need more kindness. 💖

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  10. “Accept” gets two thumbs up from me. I think your choosing this word signifies wisdom and a recognition of what life is.

    The word for me, this year, is “Resourcefulness”. I thought about “Chocolate-Free” but it’s really two words, so that’s that.

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    • Two words might possibly be allowed if the proper measures are taken, the correct forms filled out and so forth, but those two words would never be approved. Not on my watch. Now. Resourcefulness. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
      That gets 5 stars.

      Thank you for the kind comment. I accept that you are awesome.

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  11. My one word for 2017 is explore. I want to explore new genres in my writing. I want to try my hand at writing science fiction or romance or whatever floats my boat at any given time.

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    • That’s a great choice! There are a ton of prompts on social media and in the blogosphere to let you explore other forms and genres of writing. Or you can just write whatever and whenever you feel like it. That’s really a fantastic one. Good luck and have fun exploring with your writing. 🙂

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  12. Many people mistake kindness for weakness, and many will overlook ‘acceptance’ in the same way. I think yours is a healthy and constructive approach. Don’t know what my word is yet, but my mood is very much onwards and upwards, so I think maybe, ‘Persisto!’ 🙂

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    • Agreed on both counts. Pfft! Kindness/weakness… That is too true. And I do think acceptance tends to be taken as a weakness or a doormat approach to situations. I thank you for your comment of my connotation being healthy and constructive. That makes me feel even better about my choice. 💖 And I think your maybe word is great!

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    • What a positive, active word. I love it. “Accomplish” might set us up if we don’t get everything done that we want so “strive” is perfect! Something great to focus on this year. 🙂 (It is REALLY difficult to choose only one!)

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  14. Great post, Sarah. And I love that you shared the thinking that led to your one word, and your interpretation of it. It’s a philosophy to which I too, should subscribe. I think it is true that we must accept before we can engage and do something about it. It also requires that we be present and not somewhere else. I work hard on that one. I’ll have to think about one word for me. I’ve read lots of good ones on different blogs. I want to be them all! That’s my problem. Maybe I just need to be me; accept me; be happy being me. Is that content? Can I be content and still strive to achieve? Maybe my word is “clarity”. I need to clarity in my goals and position and work out what I really want. Thanks for helping me find my one word. 🙂

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  15. I hope you accept that I think you are awesome and I’m so happy to know you. I understand what you mean. I need to work on accepting things more in my life as well. Wishing you luck in this adventure, Dear Friend. #mast 💙

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  16. Intriguing. The first thing that pops into my mind with the word accept is accepting a package from a delivery person. I sign my name and take responsibility of it, saying either yes it’s mine, or I’ll get it to the right place. It’s saying, it’s in my hands now.

    I haven’t considered picking a word for a year. I’m horrible at planning and even worse at sticking to plans. It’s strange, really. I never considered myself a person who lives in the moment, but at the same time, I’m so flustered all the time that I can’t really think past the here and now (or spend time dwelling on what’s happened). I think my one word should be: Maybe. Maybe things will happen like I want them to. Maybe they won’t. 🙂

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    • Huh. “Accept” as in taking responsibility for something. Although the example made me laugh, it’s true. You know I don’t plan. Not with writing or with life. And no resolutions, either. Which is exactly why I participated in the One Word challenge. To have ONE thing to focus on. It might have been anything (I could use a lot of help here).

      It kind of sounds like you’re someone who lives in the moment. That’s cool. No? I’m a dweller. Dammit. I hate that about me. But…I accept it. 😉 I love your word. Maybe. Maybe I don’t. Let me think on it.

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  18. I too had a negative connotation towards the word “accept.” But I like how you put it here:
    “…once I accept it, I will do something about it.”
    I like that.
    As for what my word will be…? I’ll have to think about it. I was going to pick “do” but that’s too general. Maybe “commit” is better — commit to finishing a book even if I still think it’s not good enough, commit to having more random fun, commit to visiting one of my best friends in Paris who’s been asking me to visit for six long years, etc.
    Yeah, that’s it. Let me go write that on a sticky note now. Thanks, Sarah!

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    • Right? It does have a negative connotation. At least, it can. I’ve always heard it used that way. Kind of like, “deal with it”. But, yes, I can’t very well act on something I’m in denial about so I’ve got to accept it’s happening first. 🙂
      I love your word! Commit. (I agree that “do” is active but a bit general.) If you commit to a project or travel plans or (yes!) random fun, you’re good to go. You’ve made a commitment. Hold yourself accountable without beating yourself up and you’ll have a very happy 2017. Hope that sticky note is by your desk!

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  19. Love your word and your rationale for it.
    My word for 2017 is nurture. I want to nurture my writing career, friendships, my body/health, my husband and my garden. Hope to touch on each weekly, if not daily.

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  21. What a fascinating read (both post and comments). If the last 6 months have taught me anything it’s to breathe. To me I suppose that connotes taking a pause, looking around, listening too, to myself as well as others, taking time to accept, as you are doing. Things can overwhelm at which point, taking a breathe and then a small step, just one, any one can help get back on track. That’ll do me i think

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  22. Hi Sarah,
    Thank you for coming by my site and liking my FotoJet tutorial. I’m a friend of Debby’s. I also know Sue Vincent and Aquileana. Did you see it on Debby’s site? It was nice of her to reblog it.
    In response to what you wrote– I like your focus words for 2017. I have a focus word– minimalism. I want less of everything this year.
    Thank you again for coming by. I wanted to come to introduce myself and thank you.
    Janice

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    • I did enjoy the Fotojet post (and, yes, saw it from Debby’s reblog – she’s great). I’ve looked into Canva and like it in theory but the Fotojet (which I played around with last night) really gives you an idea of what can be done before you sign up or pay for anything. It looks great.

      Minimalism is fantastic. I love decluttering. Less of everything sounds wonderful! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

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  23. Accept is a great word when you look at it that way. It’s the active application of the word, rather than its passive counterpart. For me, last year and this year will probably share the same word, dare. A lot of my greatest achievements have been because I dared and fear is the mindkiller, and life killer. If you don’t take off, you won’t know if you can make that wave and I have had that Yes Man mentality every time an opportunity has presented myself. Here’s to accepting and daring so we can all do the thing

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    • Right? There IS passive counterpart. You know what I’m talking about. I am fully motivated to using this work actively.

      Dare. Interesting choice. Your description of daring in the face of fear makes me love it. (Fear is a mind killer. I know this to be true.) Let’s “do the thing!” 😀

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  24. I had already read it! I like your “active” approach to accepting. There’s an interesting book by Mark Manson called The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck, which is all about choosing what’s worth the hassle and what’s water under the bridge, so to speak. I’m getting better at that as I get older 😂

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