Word of the Year 2020

"The Introvert" and "The Extrovert" by Chloë Danielle / Intuitive Paths Art

For the last few years, I've jumped on the bandwagon of choosing a personal word for the year. I think of it as a theme, an attitude to adopt, or a lens to see things through. For example, my first word was "Abundance" in 2018. I wanted to see things throughout the year through the lens of abundance, as opposed to scarcity, and I identify blessings even in situations that weren't particularly pleasant.

I don't know if it really works, but I kinda think it does.

Last year, 2019, my word was "Viriditas," a word attributed to Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th century mystic. From Wikipedia: Viriditas (Latin, literally "greenness," formerly translated as "viridity"^[1]) is a word meaning vitality, fecundity, lushness, verdure, or growth. It is particularly associated with abbess Hildegard von Bingen, who used it to refer to or symbolize spiritual and physical health, often as a reflection of the divine word or as an aspect of the divine nature.
As my word, viriditas was similar to abundance, but with the added aspect of renewal, healing, and hope, and absolute delight in green growing things.

When it came to 2020, I had to think pretty hard. What was it that I needed? I felt pretty pulled apart. The pains of the world are so numerous! My church's denomination is facing division over the inclusion (or not) of LQBTQIA people. So much climate anxiety. Brexit. Trump. Pipelines. Indigenous sovereignty. Isolation. Stretched too thin.

And that's why I chose my 2020 word of the year: Center.

"Center" as in centering what's most important so that I can be healthy and effective in all the other areas. Those things to be centered include honoring God's call on my life, my family, my work (artwork, activism), and relationships (because everything is easier when you have connections and people to support one another).

I've also been admiring the artwork of Chloë Danielle on Instagram: Intuitive Paths Art. I can't really say why exactly, but as she told me, "these are intuitive shapes and designs -- ancient, eternal, in us all." I guess that explains why me brain finds them so appealing. I've been wanting to own a piece for awhile and decided one of her works would be a great icon or visual inspiration for my idea of centering. I initially chose the piece on the left, "The Introvert," but she kindly gifted me "The Extrovert" so they would stay together. And I think that really works, because there's an inward and an outward side to everything.

As for doing the work of centering I intend to do, I do have plans in the works for gathering over meals to develop relationships, to participate in more activism toward the causes that matter most to me*, and to focus on developing my spiritual practices. I've also pulled back from other activities so that I hopefully will spend more time creating art.

How about you? Do you have a word of the year?


*I've pre-ordered this book from the amazing Polly Barks and will be using it as a handbook for environmental action. Maybe you could too? https://pollybarks.com/crowdfund/