29 Comments

Complete agreement with those who have suggested your word could be Visit (as much as possible - and this inspires me to get out to Kalamazoo to visit you) and Continue (as the amazing human being and friend you are). This does seem like a tough year to pick a word - so much is uncertain and scary. I don't have a word to suggest but maybe an image (which could lead to a word or substitute for one)? My visual brain finds that useful. My 2025 word is Focus (on what is good and beautiful, on my priorities, on how to make a positive difference in my community) and my image/symbol is the third eye, which our friends at Wikipedia say is supposed to provide perception beyond ordinary sight. I expect I will need that in the year ahead.

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Deb, I love all of that. The idea of an image, a visual prompt, is fun to think about.

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Great idea. That would get me into the studio and make art. If I do that, I’d love a star.

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My word for you is a phrase — a very selfish phrase: VISIT NY, especially the Binghamton or Rochester area! Either Laurie & Amy can put you up, or I can.

VISIT. ☺️🥰

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Robin, what a great word! I like it!

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"Write!" Not just what I'm paid to write but what I want to write as well. And this year I want to write short stories. I've published more than a dozen books in the past 20 years and only one short story. This year that streak ends. Mary, I would not presume to tell you what your word should be. Oh, WTH, okay I will: "Continue." Continue being the sensitive, caring , talented, courageous person you are and writing the way/things you write.

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Aww, thank you, Dean. Continue is a great word. And so is Write!

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Empty if anything, but then I have nothing left to loose. I'm in a group and I detest that they do this "one little word" thing. That's not my style. After a 4 deaths and my dog getting hit by a car, I found I cat I kind of regretted adopting dead in the back yard, poor thing. I had a kid that would always tell me don't look back, you'll break your neck. I always just go anyway. Onward.

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Laura, so much loss this year. I hope 2025 is lighter.

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Thank you. I'm starting to get really freaking weird for me.

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breathe. always important to remember to stop and take a breath. pause. reflect. continue.

I need a star word for the year. Have to move some difficult decisions forward. Need all the guidance I can get.

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Corinne, all important words. If your church doesn’t do star words this year, I can send you one.

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Breathe...

The air before a storm, ...scent of your mate or best friend.

I'm gonna stop right there. You can fill in with whatever makes you positively pause!

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Thanks, Laurie! I really like “positively pause,” too.

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I think your word for 2025 should be "writing" only b/c I am selfish and enjoy reading your pieces so much! Of course that covers writing not only for "publication," but for yourself, for catharsis, for your script and steps in life, etc. Layers of meaning! I think my word for 2025 is going to be "reflecting." Happy New Year to you and yours, Mary!

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Candie, I like your word for yourself AND your suggestion for me. Thank you!

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I'm taking the word "trust". Trust that somehow things will work out for the best. With all the uncertainty and anxiety over the election and what's to come I need to trust that God will provide a guiding hand to help me manage the problems, pitfalls, and challenges.

For you, Mary, I am suggesting "unexpected". Even though you plan in advance and like having your days set out for you, I think it would be good to realize there will be many unexpected happenings and surprises. The unexpected twists and turns coming up we know from the years of 2016-2020. But there will also be unexpected surprises to enable us to cope with these annoying and even disgusting situations.

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I like both words! Thanks, Jim. Happy almost new year.

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I hadn’t heard of this idea before, but I think it’s a good one, and I’m going to give it a try. The word I’m considering is “replenish.” It just came to mind, but the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that this is what I need to focus on.

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I like it! Will you paint yourself a little canvas as a reminder? Want me to put it on a star for you?

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Enjoy ... the moment, the person, the book, the meal, the challenge. We get to caught up in the hustle and drama of life. Enjoy your life. It's a choice and a happy feeling. Kind of like your soul smiling. ✨️

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This so wise. I like it a lot. Thanks for the good idea.

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I wish there was a sorting hat or some other device that would assign me a star word. I'm just not feeling inspired, but I know I'll regret not having that touchstone in the new year.

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Want me to pray and then pick one for you, and send it to you? Or, there's this word of the year generator: http://www.wordoftheyear.me/

Kind of like a sorting hat?

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I would love for you to pray and send me a word!

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Leah, will do.

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I only heard about picking a word for the year a few years ago. I liked the idea. As my word of intention for 2021 I picked "intentional." I know, right? What I meant by it was to become more intentional about my choices...food choices...exercise...creative...to live more intentionally instead of my usual "flying by the seat of my pants" way of living. Did I succeed? No. So I picked the same word the next year. I'm thinking of picking it again for 2025. LOL. I'm afraid I'm no help, Mary. I can't wait to see what you picked!

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Lol. I’ve kept a few star words for a second year because I was a slow learner. You are not alone!

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🤣

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