Here we are again, the end of another year, beginning of a new one. I have a rising sense of expectant hope, which if examined seems odd and silly. The New Year is nothing more than a date on a calendar. If you knew nothing of calendars, it would all simply be going to bed one night and waking another morning that was another day like any other in winter or summer, depending where you are in the world.

I’m not following that trail of thought to untold depths. There are calendars and a New Year is upon us, bringing us that sense “this year I will…this year I can…this year it will…” I’ll grab the energy of hope and expectancy while it is here to imagine all the things I want to do and have happen. Imagination is an engine. It is the beginning of all things.

So, my word for the year…I don’t recall my word for last year, which I never do at this time. I generally have already forgotten it by March and will look it up and write it down and promise not to forget, but I always do, again. I refuse to go look it up now.

Oh, okay, I had to look it up, and I’m so glad I did! It was Comfort. What a good word, and what a good reminder. Comfort is helpful, and I do feel that I grew a bit the past year in finding comfort and offering comfort. I am definitely stronger at the end of this year than last.

This year I choose the word Nurture.

The word came to me instantly and with such firmness that it did not budge in the face of my normal doubting.

Nurture—the Oxford dictionaries tell us it means to care for and encourage the development of something. It is from the Old French word nourish. This year of 2017 will be a year of consciously encouraging my body and soul all over the place.

Oh, the good plans are tumbling out on my new calendar and planner! Let me nurture them. The more plans, the more chance that at least a couple will come to fruition.

Let me nurture love. At every turn. First and foremost, and I think everything flows from here, especially acceptance of myself and others. Myself as I am, which is far less energy and drive than I wish to have.

Let me nurture my own hopes and dreams and ideas, especially the new novel (it began as a novella and now I say novel) all the way to finishing. That is first on my list of hopes and dreams.

Nurture writing wherever it takes me, because it kindles life.

Nurture getting another backlist book, Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel, out into both print and digital edition.

Nurture cleaning out my house, and my life, getting rid of the things that do not nurture me. (Where did all this stuff come from?)

Nurture more time for reading and for watching old movies. (Maybe schedule time on the calendar for each!)

Nurture, of all things and you will laugh, going to the shooting range and my ability with my shotgun. Such fun! Yes, nurture time for more fun in my life.

Nurture. The word fairly has me sizzling. I’ve written it on both my calendar and my notebook. I shall nurture remembering my word nurture.

I am reminded of wisdom often quoted by author and teacher Jack Bickham:

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”  ~ Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends.

Let me nurture memorizing that quote!

What word or phrase do you choose for 2017?