Words for New Thought

My word for 2025 sort of lingered like a stranger at the door, uncertain of asking to be invited in. Initially I chose it in a conversation with an art curator. She’d been watching me from a distance. I initiated the messaging. I told her I hoped to develop a clear brand for my art. I used the word “polished”. She assured me that she felt my brand was clear. I suppose I didn’t believe her.

As the months progressed, I pondered the word and why it had chosen me, grabbed my attention.

Here at December’s end, I’ve been holding like a treasure next to my heart, what I’ve learned about my “2025 Word”.

I’ve been protected but I’ve also endured more than usual in terms of how my past trauma refused to be silenced.

Maybe it’s because I said “Yes” to doors that invited me to step forward, to share my artist story and how my trauma both inspires and sort of “dares me” to keep painting.

In many ways, I felt similar although not at all dangerous threats and betrayals. Maybe the old weapons that were still hanging on had to be smoothed down to the almost nothing left to defend against the wounds.

I found a verse a few months ago that helped me accept that being polished had nothing to do with my aesthetic and everything to do with my calling.

“He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

All year long, I’ve been being readied for more than I ever felt possible. In the waiting, I’ve been protected.

I understand this now and that understanding has led to a word for 2026, “Embrace”.

It may change over the months but to me, it represents me no longer trying to resist the parts of me that are hard stories to acknowledge.

To embrace rather than the incessant need to have it all not be a part of me, to embrace every cell of my makeup as my identity rather than through every effort available to me, try and try to erase it.

To embrace what can’t be erased and to let those parts of my story lend themselves to my creativity, unhindered. 

To embrace is to be at ease. To erase requires pressure. 

To embrace welcomes change. To erase leaves no chance for redemption’s touch to be made visible. 

To embrace is to honor every part. To erase is to abandon the muse, the stories that made me. 

I’m unsure how this new mindset might challenge or grow me. I’m certain it won’t be a steady change. It’ll occur in increments. 

Are there parts of your story you’re desperate to erase at last and be done? 

Can you see yourself deciding to hold it all so very close, the hard and the soft, the ugly and the beautiful, the damage and the restored? 

I hope so. 

May your WORD quietly bring a change.