Every year, I pick out a focus word. A word that governs various aspects of my life that year in lieu of resolutions: Focus (2009), discipline (2010), growth (2011), nurture (2012), surrender (2013), challenge (2014), connect (2015), strength (2016), self-care (2017), evolve (2018), simplify (2019), energy (2020), release (2021), structure (2022), and grace (2023).
I’ve started easing into my new years instead of hitting the ground running on January 1st. Slow and steady, guided by a word.
Last year, I chose grace and by the end of the year, I deeply reflected on how I applied that word in various aspects of my life.
This year, I’ve chosen a focus word for 2024 that will pry off my fingers which have been gripping tightly on to the edge of control.
It will help me voluntarily release control instead of unwillingly surrendering it.
This is a word that will help me battle undue stress within my control.
A word that will ensure I finally let go.
And my focus word for 2024 is… TRUST
The dictionary defines trust as “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing;”, “the confident expectation of something; hope.”
Surely we all know what it means to trust. But this year, this word is going to manifest itself in different ways in various aspects of my life, according to the synonym study of trust I pulled from Dictionary.com.
———————————————————-
SYNONYM STUDY FOR TRUST
1. Trust, assurance, confidence imply a feeling of security. Trust implies instinctive unquestioning belief in and reliance upon something
If there’s one thing I completely rely on, it is the security I get from believing in a powerful force so much larger than myself. In believing, witnessing, and embracing God’s spirit and energy, which reside within me.
In 2024, I will not, for a single moment, doubt God’s security and purpose for my life. This belief is instinctive because God has worked wonders in my life in the past and continues to work every single day .
This year, I will completely hand over the wheel in trust. I’ll finally pull my fingernails off that ledge.
2. Confidence implies conscious trust because of good reasons, definite evidence, or past experience: to have confidence in the outcome of events.
I will continue to trust my deep intuition, trust my body and its strength, trust (and make space) for genuine connections where I feel completely safe.
I will continue to trust the timing of my life because past experience has given me proof of the good that happens when I wait in faith.
I also trust that my seeds of abundance that have been scattered and planted will continue to grow as I water them with faith and discipline.
3. Assurance implies absolute confidence and certainty: to feel an assurance of victory.
I was recently sharing my five strengths below with a new friend, a genuine connection and safe space.
- Problem solver – My brain is always switched into problem-solving mode. Constantly brainstorming for solutions.
- Quick study – I am an exceptionally quick observer and study. For example, I learned PHP in a few days so I could program an MVP and working beta. When I say I hit the ground running, trust me, I really do.
- Creative – I’m a storyteller so I use various creative outlets to tell stories – from books and opinion pieces to photography, videography, and other forms of expression.
- Team player – I’ve always played team sports – from soccer and running relay to Division I level competitive rugby. In life, it means I work well in purpose-driven teams. Because I’m a natural quick study, I also swiftly learn the skills to patch the holes and missing experiences on my team.
- Versatile – I’m a multipotentialite
Because I have unshakeable confidence in these five strengths of mine, I have been able to switch lanes, industries, activities, and be impactful right from the jump.
I have so many wonderful things in the works. I’m fully leaning into them with complete trust because I already bring those five strengths to the table.
However, the last few years have advised me to hold my “wonderful things in the works” closer to my chest and never underestimate external energy.
I’m starting 2024 with a blank slate of trust and flow. I will be living these quotes on trust and my focus word for 2024 fully:
“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Seize the day, and put the least possible trust in tomorrow.” ~ Horace
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom
“Trust your instincts: they tend to see you right. By listening to them, at least you can sleep at night.” ~ Sophie Ellis-Bextor