With the new year beginning we tend to make a lot of new commitments and New Year’s resolutions. These usually consist of things such as going to the gym more often, eating healthier, having a better attitude towards others, achieving all A’s and B’s, etc. Often we make these commitments and are on fire for the first month or so of the year; we are staying consistent in that goal but then we hit the second and third months of the year and we completely lose focus and get off track. We start to do that thing less and less and over time completely stop that commitment. This is a very common theme of the start to every new year.
One possible way to overcome this problem is to find something that you want to change within your life. Then find a word that goes with it, and have that word consistently going through how you treat different situations. For example, if you want to become more positive about things because you always seem to look at the negative first, your word could be consistency. Whenever you’re feeling low on motivation to keep doing something, you can look back at this word to remind you to stay consistent. Something to go with this is some sort of quote or piece of advice to go with the word that you can look back on to encourage you to stay committed with that goal.
We asked students at each grade level here at Sylvan Hills High School what their word was, why it is important to them, and something to look back at to remind them to stay focused on the goal. First we have Sophomore, Adriana Diaz. “My word of the year is Persistence. I chose this word because I’d make time for everything but God and when I did make the time it was never consistent. When I need it to be a constant in my life. My verse is Hebrews 12:1-2, ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…'”
The second person we asked is Junior, Koen Baugher. “My word is development. This is my word because there is a bunch of things in my life that needs development such as my prayer life and Bible study time. But also relationships in my life. James 1:5 [If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.], to need development you’re going to need wisdom and you can only get your wisdom from God.”
The third and final person we asked is Senior, Harley Pridmore. “My word for the year is positivity. I chose my word because last year I was always negative and not thinking about how great things could be and should be. ‘And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about the things that are worthy of praise.’ Philippians 4:8.”
Now that we’ve seen a few students’ words of the year, think about something you want to work on in your life. Then think of a word to help with that. Then find a quote or scripture that holds you to it, something that brings you back to that word every time you need it. Make this word your year, make it the change that you are wanting to have.
