The six word Friday several weeks ago used the word “new”.  I nibbled away at for a while, as one of the things that bugged me the most when I came back to work on January 2 was how quickly the word “new” was left behind from the New Year.  So my six words for “new” are:

Put “new” back into New Year.

By the end of that first week after the holidays, it was already a day / month / year like every other year – all mashed and melted into the running together of the days, one indistinguishable from the other.

• Seeing the Valentine’s stuff out before January even started doesn’t help.
• Neither is working evenings and weekends for year end close.  I’m thankful that the manager of the process doesn’t keep us here any longer than necessary, which helps a lot.  Still, I’ve been tired when I get home, visiting briefly with my favorite boy toy and then going to bed.
• The legislatures are back in session, so for me it’s now that season to monitor new tax bills, contact my government affairs people, and work to keep the laws from being more onerous than they already are.

All of these things contribute to the days running together and feeling the same as each day before it.

Then I saw a great quote on my desk calendar about the new year, that I thought was appropriate for how quickly we forget its newness:

This year isn’t going to be just like every other year.
This year is a new year.
It may have elements of other years.
Yet, it is unique.
We may try to make it the same in our minds and
not be open to the new opportunities presented to us.

It’s up to us.

Here’s hoping for a New Year.

Anne Wilson Schaef

So what I’m doing to keep the newness of 2013 in mind?

1. Remind myself not to let the ceaseless drip of other demands diminish the joy of the new and a new year.
2. Be grateful.
3. Practice newness.
4. Have an air of expectancy that 2013 will be even better than 2012 (which was a very good year).

Gretchen Rubin suggests choosing a word to set a tone for the year.  A fellow blogger, Claudia, does the same and provides other links that were helpful to her.  Some also call this their “one word” because it helps them stay focused on what they want from life.

For 2011, my word was “gratitude”; 2012, it was “serene”.  For 2013, my word is “curiosity”, i.e. “an active desire to learn or to know”.  That will help keep the newness in the year for me as I practice curiosity and explore new things.

So I’m still wishing people a Happy New Year if I haven’t talked to them since the holidays.  I also remind myself freqently to enjoy the ride and see this January as the roller coaster cresting the hill, getting ready for another wild ride of fun, beauty, and laughter.  And best of all, I laugh, love, and take each day as it comes.

A new article has been published over A Daily Life about cell phone security.  Cell phones have become an important part of a writer’s arsenal, so keeping security tight is necessary in the event it should become lost or stolen.

Running dry on ideas for your blog or diary?  Checking out these places to go for prompts.

Goals & Resolutions Passion curiosity gratitude Happy New Year newness one word serene unique year