Early in the 12th century someone uttered the word “courage” for the first time. A new word was needed. The speaker took the word for heart and shaped it into a new form to express speaking from one’s heart. The word “courage” was born.
Words like “courage,” “compassion,” “gratitude,” and “resilience” are alive. They can guide actions and shape character. When we choose an intention, we enter an apprenticeship to the essence of the chosen word.
We look at words as flat concepts on a page. But they are so much more. They are bundles of wisdom. They travel through hundreds of years, touching lives, landing in poems, and populating pledges. They are alive and able to impart insights.
An apprenticeship is about learning new skills or qualities. In that same way, this process engages our curiosity about our unfolding life.
Pondering how you can fix yourself with an intention builds the process on a lie. It implies that there is something wrong with you that needs fixing. This process is not about answering the question, “What do I need to correct about myself?” The question is, “What might I discover about who I am?”
For the next 365 days, I will apprentice the word “courage.” My focus will be on its many facets. I will embrace its lessons, and work to embody its essence. By immersing myself in “courage,” I will cultivate a deeper understanding of its power to shape my life.
Which word will you choose to apply for 2025? Will you Invite its essence to weave through your thoughts, actions, and reflections? This intentional practice can bring about profound self-discovery. Many of us have found it to be true in past years.
Here are my suggestions…
Begin by selecting a word that resonates with you. Let it bubble up from inside of you. Intuition, not strategy, is your guide.
Establish a practice that connects you with your word. Write it on a piece of paper. Slip it into your wallet. Or put it where you will often see it. Consider journaling, meditating, or even wearing it as a piece of jewelry. (See Link below)
Notice how the word shows up in your daily life. How do you feel when you see it?
Much like an apprentice who commits to a chosen craft, we select our word with a deliberate focus. We begin to study a specific aspect of our life that we wish to unfold.
Words are alive and pulsating with energy. They can impart important lessons. “Courage,” “compassion,” “gratitude,” and “resilience” are not static labels. They are living principles. Get to know your word. A mystery is hidden inside of its syllables.
Your selected word can shape your thoughts, actions, and your destiny. Choose your word with care. Let curiosity guide you to what will serve your highest good for 2025. An apprentice learns at the side of a wise teacher. Doing this practice helps you stay connected to the wisdom of your heart.
There is no better teacher.
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