2013's Word

I've always enjoyed making New Year's Resolutions but the past few years I've felt a little overwhelmed by the prospect. Perhaps it is because now that I am getting older and wiser I am more keenly aware of just how imperfect I am. If I sat down to make a list of all the things I wanted to improve about myself I could probably fill a small notebook without too much trouble. To avoid becoming overwhelmed and discouraged before I even start, I decided this year to make only a very few specific goals and to outline several much broader areas where improvement is warranted. I figure that as I accomplish certain specific goals I can cross them off my list and set new ones from those broader self-improvement categories.

I have noticed a trend to choose a word for the year that sort of defines the direction a person wants to head in terms of goals for the coming year. The word serves as a guide and a reminder on the self-improvement journey. I decided to follow suit and after some serious pondering I have chosen my word.

per·se·vere

intransitive verb \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir\

: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement

1. She persevered in her laundry and eventually caught up by the time she had grandchildren.
2. Even though she really wanted chocolate, she persevered and didn't eat any refined sugar for two weeks.

Synonyms: carry on, persist, gut it out, hang in there

Related Words: dig in, hang on, keep up; follow through (with); knuckle down

So, to my thinking perseverence=tenacity, determination, endurance, persistance. 

Also:

The light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ (from The LDS Bible Dictionary "Light of Christ" entry, emphasis added)

My amazing friend from New York has started a Pinterest board with inspiration relating to her word. Because I want to be like her when I grow up, I'm going to do the same. I'm hoping that my word "persevere" will remind me to not give up until I've reached my goals.

Although I feel optimistic, I'm a realist too. I know there will be times when I have a hard time following through. Lucky for me I have my Savior, Jesus Christ (and family and friends too) to help and encourage me when I struggle. As I continue to try to press forward, through grace, I can have that Light of Christ  and its "persevering influence" to guide me and help me hang on.

The New Year only happens once every 365 days, but each morning I can wake up fresh and resolve to keep trying to be better.

Here's to perseverance!