With the release of my new book, Be Their Warrior, WARRIOR is the obvious choice for my One Word 2022. But today (Nov. 20, 2021), while out on my run, 100s and 100s of birds flew overhead on their annual migration south. They reminded me to look up. I'd been downtrodden. I was sad about family drama. (Is it just me, or is anyone else exposed to family drama?) I felt down, so I cast my gaze down for a day. Not today. Today, I looked up at flapping wings.
Those flapping wings got me to draw my gaze upward. You know what? I instantly felt better. Looking up made me feel like things in my life were looking up. Looking up focused my attention on the vast, beautiful, blue sky. Looking up made me feel up.
I noticed how the birds were lifting & rising higher and higher in the sky. It reminded me of the following story:
When you see geese flying along in "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone. So it quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.
So if we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those headed the same way we are.
When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing, and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or geese flying south. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
What messages do we give when we honk from behind? Finally — and this is important — when a goose gets sick or wounded by gunshot and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it can fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group.
If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.
Author Unknown (1)
Then, that story reminded me of the word lift.
That's it! My #OneWord came to me earlier than the others. Usually, I select my One Word during December. It was just November, but I am positive it's the right word to carry me through 2022.
My One Word is lift.
We're stronger and better when we lift each other up. We rise by lifting others.
Indeed, we are stronger together. If we're like geese, we're 71% better together. Now that's an advantage I think no one will turn down.
I plan to keep my head up on difficult days and lift my eyes up to the Lord. I plan to lift others up in my thoughts, prayers, words, and actions. I plan to seek opportunities to lift up others. I plan to walk beside others and lighten their load as I lift their burden and help them carry it.
According to an online dictionary, lift means the following:
[lift]
VERB
raise to a higher position or level. "he lifted his trophy over his head" synonyms: raise · hoist · heave · haul up · uplift · heft · boost · raise up/aloft · upraise · [more]
pick up and move to a different position. "he lifted her down from the pony's back" synonyms: pick up · grab · scoop up · gather up · snatch up · swoop up · carry · lift up · raise · uplift · heft · heave · elevate
raise (a person's spirits or confidence); encourage or cheer. "we heard inspiring talks that lifted our spirits" synonyms: boost · raise · buoy up · elevate · give a lift to · cheer up · perk up · enliven · uplift · brighten up · lighten · ginger up · gladden · encourage · stimulate · arouse · revive · restore
formally remove or end (a legal restriction, decision, or ban). "the European Community lifted its oil embargo against South Africa" synonyms: cancel · raise · remove · withdraw · revoke · rescind · annul · void · discontinue · countermand · relax · end · stop · terminate
In 2022, I will focus on this definition's numbers 1, 2, & 3. I will plan to rise & shine as I lift others. I plan to be purposeful and actualize and ascend.
A beautiful byproduct of lifting others is we gain too. But, of course, we don't plan to lift others for gain; it just happens. I urge you to look for ways to lift others. It doesn't have to be elaborate. Simply smile and lift another's spirits. Look for ways to lift and you both gain.
Last year my word was GLORY, and the year before, it was LIGHT. Looking back, I can see how each word leads me to the next and my transformation as I strive to live out my #OneWord.
Then, of course, I falter. But I try again. Every day is a new day to do better. Like my word for this year, lift, I lift my eyes and get back up again, looking up toward goals.
I encourage you to jump aboard the #OneWord train. Here's why: "One Word that Will Change Your Life will inspire you to simplify your life and work by focusing on just one word for this year. That's right! One Word creates clarity, power, passion, and life-change. The simple power of One Word is that it impacts all six dimensions of your life – mental, physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, and financial. Simply put, One Word sticks. There is a word meant for you, and when you find it, live it, and share it, your life will become more rewarding and exciting than ever." (2)
How?
Follow the five steps in this post: 5 Steps to Your One Word Journey. (Read the whole post or scroll down toward the bottom to access the 5 steps.)
I'd love to hear about your word and journey.
Join the fun
Share your One Word on Twitter and tag me: @pamhall2inspire with #OneWord2022
You make a difference!
💕Pamela
Learn about being STRONG & how to cultivate life-changing relationships with families and students in my new book. I share personal student stories and strategies for cultivating culture and community rooted in relationships. It's centered around amplifying all students' potential and unshakeable relationships that raise student achievement. Click here or the image to go to Amazon. 😃
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