Tuesday 21 January 2014

Week 4 - The Living Well in Retirement Weekly Challenge

The Week 4 Challenge


Words are very powerful things! They reach out conveying layers of meaning to users, readers and listeners. Words can lift us up, open our eyes, make us cry, cut us to the core ...

Words can also be centering - supporting us to focus on things personally important. Two years ago I stumbled across a poem somewhere on the internet titled 'I can ...'. It inspired me to write this personal version. I subsequently shared the poem with my staff as part of the 2012 Staff Induction at the beginning of the school year.


My Word for 2012 is CAN

CAN make a difference in the lives of my students, my friends
and my family.

CAN make things happen when others feel it is impossible.

CAN block out the negative.

CAN embrace the positive.

CAN make changes.

CAN inspire others.

CAN learn from others.

CAN push boundaries.

CAN do anything I set my mind to.

CAN make a difference in my life.

CAN ….

What’s your word?


The power of that small word 'can' is made extremely obvious when you re-read this poem, as we did, substituting 'can't' for 'can'. Try it!

Throughout the year the power of these two small words had a significant impact on us all and helped us shape and reshape our thinking. Whenever we found ourselves thinking 'I can't' we re-thought what problems or issues would look like if we used instead the positive 'I can' headset. We found that just by using 'can' we could - and did - achieve amazing things!

In 2013 - the first year of my retirement - I used the word 'restore' as my one word. I focused on restoring my energy levels, my health, my wellbeing ... restoring me! And I think I'm pretty much restored as a result!

Choosing one word for 2014 has been a challenge - there are so many to choose from! The one word, however, that I have finally settled on for this year is 'thrive'. I intend to focus on growing and developing as a person, learning new skills, tackling new challenges, continuing to improve my health and wellbeing, contributing wherever and whenever I can, striving to be successful that all that I do in this retired life - and living life well!

Your challenge this week - choose your one word for 2014. Write it down! Commit to it! It could change your life!

I would love to hear what you have chosen as your one word! Do let me know!

Cheers!

M






4 comments:

  1. I think my word for this year is belief or self-belief. So important. Love your posts Marian :)

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  2. A great choice of word, Skevi! Self belief will carry you to the places you dream of! I'm so glad you enjoy the posts! Thanks for the feedback! Have a great year!

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  3. Liz - I understand your choice! In your first year of retirement you will need - and benefit from - plenty of rest, if your experience is anything like mine! Best wishes!

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