I’ve been building up to sharing my Word of the Year for 2020 for a while now.
Each of us might use a different process to arrive at our Word of The Year. Nothing is written in stone.
As you consider what your word for 2020 will be, you want it to reflect an aspirational identity, a facet of your humanity that will move you forward toward the best version of yourself. The challenge is finding a singular word that captures a goal as big as personal transformation. Such an endeavor can be overwhelming. Is it even possible to find a word that embodies how you want to see yourself?
– Roy Lopez, OneWord365.com
I’ve found that with practice, the exercise gets easier.
This time the process I used for finding my word was a little different. I looked back on my Word for 2019 and let it speak to me. I allowed ‘light’ to shine into many areas of my life and questioned my motives and choices. Then I decided to make many choices and changes next year and started working on putting them into practice in the last couple of months. Then I looked out for a word that would be meaningful to me to underline what 2020 should mean for me.
I’ve realized that I’ve allowed myself to keep giving without really stopping to refill. So while I wish everyone around me all that’s good, in 2020, I will focus on myself. I want to be kind to myself. I want this to be the year I work on my health, my well-being, my growth. Work-wise too, this will be a different year and that’s something I’ll share about on The Frangipani Creative blog.
My Word of The Year for 2020
The word I have chosen for 2020 is METTA. Let me use the words of Sharon Salzberg to explain what it means:
In Pali, the language of the original Buddhist texts, the word is metta, most commonly translated as loving-kindness. Other translations are: love, friendliness, and good will. I tend to use the term connection. So, loving-kindness is a state of profound connection to ourselves, others, and ultimately all of life.
It’s funny that the word ‘metta’ has ‘Me’ in it!
I will use the metta bhavana meditation practice through the year.
“May I be well, may I be happy, may I be peaceful. May I be free from suffering and pain. May all beings be well, may all beings be happy, may all beings be peaceful. May all beings be free from suffering and pain.
I would love to have you join me in sharing your Word for 2020.
Photo by Allie Smith on Unsplash
Metta. What a beautiful word. I love that choice and in a small way, I know that this is important for you. As a friend and a person who cares for you, I would like for you to focus on yourself this year and beyond. Good luck, Corinne.
Always around if you need me to check on you if you slip 🙂
Parul Thakur recently posted..#ThursdayTreeLove – 78
Thank you, Parul. I appreciate your support. Take care of you!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Deconstructing Anxiety
Metta is a new word for me. I like its meaning and also that there is the word ‘me’ in it. My wish for you is may 2020 be a good supportive partner to you in being equally kind and loving as you intend to practice towards yourself.
I have begun to think about my word of the year 2020 however I have not reached at that one word yet. I know what change I want to make for myself but that one word describing it is evading me.
Thank you so much for your wishes. You know they mean a lot coming from you, dear Anamika.
I’ve not been so very good at this Word of the Year thing. But I’ve not been so great at resolutions, either. I enjoyed reading about yours, Corinne, and I’m glad that you’ve recognized the need to “refill.” I have been, in some ways, too laser-focused on a single project at work, for the past two years, to be either giving to others or kind to myself. I certainly haven’t lived up to my lovely word from last year. I actually have two words, this year. Shall I toss a coin, I wonder? Are they complementary or opposites? Must think on this some more.
Holly recently posted..Culmination of the Quest (Part One)
I hope that in 2020, post retirement you will do things for yourself, Holly.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Deconstructing Anxiety
That is a beautiful word. I had never heard of it before but it captures what I want to do this year too. Wishing you a lovely year ahead. May the new year bring you all the peace and happiness.
Reema D’souza recently posted..Looking back and looking forward #MondayMusings #WOTY
Take care of you, Reema!
Dear Cory,
I think I had heard of ‘metta’ through Vipassana. I’ve been meaning to go and do Vipassana myself, but have not managed to plan the ten day window.
Did you manage to experience Vipassana yet, Cory?
This is such an interesting concept. I’d like to practise the mediation today sometime. I notice there are many videos online as well.
Thank you for your writing, your words and for just being you.
Love and light in 2020!
Natasha recently posted..Growing Microgreens, Germinating Dreams: #WordlessWednesday
I haven’t tried Vipassana yet, Natasha and sense that it’s not for me. However, the concept of Metta is something that appealed to me.
It’s the best thing to do, Corinne. Turning the focus on oneself is the need of every human being, but a need that’s seldom fulfilled by us.
Perfect choice of word, I would say!
writershilpa recently posted..My Word of the Year for 2020 – WELLNESS.
Never heard this word before but it makes so much sense! I’m glad you are focusing on yourself this year, Corinne. And here’s wishing you the best of everything, especially health and mental peace this 2020! Lots of love!
Shalini recently posted..Hello 2020 & Word of the Year #WOTY
Now thats a lovely word and an addition to my vocabulary Corinne. Thank you for sharing this with me and I hope and pray that your inward focus is fulfilling. You certainly put a lot of thought into this exercise.
As I have mentioned it earlier that I found it difficult and have abandoned it for a while now. So I commend you on finding your word or maybe it found you. I love your contemplation over it- its so beautiful and grounded!
All the best with this!! XOXO
Shalzmojo recently posted..#Bookview-12 Bookish Hits & Misses of 2019 for me
My word of the year is Audacity. For some reason, it’s the first word that popped into my head when I thought about my WOTY.
Yvonne Chase recently posted..Sergey Made The First Day Of 2020 Great
Metta Bhavana…. I learnt about it during my Vipassana course.
I ♥ your WOTY. It is simply beautiful and it can truly enrich your life in so many ways. I wish that 2020 sees you smile and succeed in everything you do and may it be everything you wanted and more! Cheers!
I am hearing this word for the first time, Corinne. What a beautiful word with a beautiful meaning. You never fail to amaze with your knowledge, Corinne. Hope this year treats you with kindness and lots of love. I’m ready with my WOTY very late this time. 🙂
Vinitha recently posted..Word of the Year 2020
Might be a coincidence but my word of the year too is similar to yours. Have to write a post yet though . I think, as we age and mature, we understand the importance of loving oneself and being kind to ourselves.
That’s a lovely and unique WOTY Corinne. I’m currently going through a mindful self-compassion workbook by Kristen Neff to help professionally and personally and loving-kindness is a definite theme of self-compassion. I hope you have a wonderful 2020 and I realise I have been MIA from your space but hope to better that this year!
Sanch @ Sanch Writes recently posted..Hello 2020
I love this word! I have actually committed to a metta meditation practice in 2020, so I am familiar with the meaning. My first metta session left me in tears on my yoga mat. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of peace and gratitude as I focused on love and kindness. What an amazing way to send good energy into the world and to “refill” our hearts with joy. Thank you for this lovely reminder. Wishing you a wonderful new year!
What a beautiful word. Considering how our world is literally going up in flames of hatred and the fury of nature, it is only apt that we learn to be more loving and gentle.
Wish you all the best Corinne for 2020.
Metta is a beautiful word and I love the fact that you’re investing in yourself this year. I think we all need to keep that focus on our own wellbeing whilst juggling other things!
As for me—I’m looking forward to ‘immerse’ myself in new experiences this year so right now, eagerly looking forward to it. Not sure what the future holds but I’m definitely thinking positive and going for it.
My best wishes to you for 2020, Corinne.
Hugs
I love your process of finding your yearly word. I, too, spend time reflecting on the previous year and anticipating the future when selecting my word.
I don’t know why our generation is compelled to ignore our personal needs for the sake of serving others. I’m learning that life is not an “either/or” choice. We can do both. We can focus on ourselves as well as those of others.
Corinne that is such a beautiful WOTY – I was a bit puzzled until I read the definition and then I just loved it – connection, love, friendliness, kindness and goodwill – just fantastic! I shared my WOTY today on the blog – I chose “Symphony” because I feel like all the parts of my life are coming together these days – like all the instruments in an orchestra.
Lovely to have you linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au recently posted..LIFE’S SHORT – LET’S CREATE OUR MIDLIFE SYMPHONY
I really enjoyed reading of your WOTY and how it came about. It’s a word I’ve not heard of before but I think it is a great choice. Wishing you a great year. Thanks for the opportunity to share our word of the year links too.
Debbie Harris recently posted..Somerset views for Wordless Wednesday
Thanks, Debbie! It’s been a long time coming. Thanks for linking up.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Deconstructing Anxiety
Corinne, it’s so important that the carer, the giver, places herself into the centre of the recipient group. I love your word “metta” and its meaning. I look forward to learning more about your meditation practice. I agree with other readers that the world is in need of loving-kindness.
Yes, I love the way you’ve put it – putting oneself in the centre of the recipient group!
Hi Corinne, so lovely to have you join us at #MLSTL and you have chosen a very interesting word for your WOTY. I haven’t heard of it before but reading your definition it is but what a beautiful way to live our lives – loving-kindness. Best wishes for 2020. xx
Thank you, Sue! Same to you.
Hey Corinne. Never heard the word before but I guess it’s lot more similar to mine as we wish to focus on Self. I wrote the post, linked it back but forgot to add it here. Can you please add it now?
I’m going to read your post shortly, Upasna. Have added the link!