New Year, New Word 2014

More information about the One Little Word meme can be found on Ali Edwards' blog.  My word for 2014 is FORWARD.  There are several ways to use this word, and it can be almost any particle of speech.  I like that about this word!  It's flexible and can be used in so many ways.  For the sake of this post, I'm only going to define the word as I see myself being able to use it.  (For example, although it can be a noun meaning a position in football, basketball and soccer, I'm not looking at FORWARD that way.)

for·ward
Adverb Also, forwards.

• toward or at a place, point, or time in advance; onward; ahead (to move forward; from this day forward; to look forward.)
• toward the front (Let's move forward so we can hear better.)
• into view or consideration; out; forth (He brought forward several good suggestions.)
• ahead

Adjective

• directed toward a point in advance; moving ahead; onward (a forward motion.)
• being in a condition of advancement; well-advanced (It was quite forward in the season when we finished our planting.)
• ready, prompt, or eager.
• presumptuous, impertinent, or bold (a rude, forward child.)
• situated in the front or forepart (the forward part of the ship.)

Verb (used with object)

• to send forward; transmit, especially to a new address (to forward a letter)
• to advance or help onward; promote (The training will help to forward your career.)

I'm ready for my life to move ahead.  I have been separated since December 2012 but my divorce is not yet final.  I'm ready to move on past this failed marriage and on to something better. 
I have many projects that have been at the bottom of my to-do list for too long; it's time to either do them or abandon the idea entirely. 
I see a point in the near future where my priorities will be changing.  Diet and exercise must be put forth to the top of the list.  My very life depends on it.  I am well-advanced on this already, with having my gastric bypass, but life has been forever changed for me.  

I am ready and eager to be healthier (and smaller!) and I believe my self-confidence will improve to the point where I can be bold with sharing my ideas, thoughts and feelings with new people.  

(I have no plans to be rude, though.) 
I want to be situated in the front seat of my own life, to be in control and not so reactionary.  I want to promote myself in my life, in my community and socially as well.

I'm looking forward to 2014 in general.  Life has been good to me in the past year and my blessings have been abundant.  My gratitude is stronger than ever.  I am stronger than ever.  I'm ready for this year!

New Year, New Word Review of 2013

In 2013, my word for the year was BETTER.  I think it was one of the most successful words possible and my life was better in 2013 in more ways than I can count.  My year was "of a superior quality" than any year in my recent past.  I got out of my comfort zone more often than not.  I made sure that my life was transparent in such a way that I was living up to my morals and values.  No secrets, no lies, no shame.  My year was "morally superior and more virtuous."

My health has undergone an amazing "improvement."  On December 10 I had gastric bypass surgery.  In the past 27 days I've lost more than 30 pounds, and I'm down more than 50 pounds since October.  By the time I left the hospital, my blood pressure was back to normal and I no longer need medication for it.  In fact, I've been able to stop taking several medications.  I'll write more about my gastric bypass in another post. 

My life is now "preferable" in every way in comparison to my life in the past 15 years or so.  It is "more" in all the best ways imaginable.

This is not to say my life is perfect; it isn't.  In fact, it's far from perfect.  And I don't want a perfect life--I believe there is no such thing and to have that as a goal is to fail before beginning.  But my life is better than it was a year a ago when I chose my word for the new year.  That was my goal, and I have succeeded.

I discovered my strength this year.  My creativity has flowed in new directions.  I discovered courage in my heart during times when I thought there was none to be found.  2013 will be remembered as one of the best years of my life!