But, 2021 deserves its own word of the year! I considered several, including "mindful", "purposeful", "faith", and "intentional", before I decided on my word, today: "Upeksha".
Upeksha is a Sanskrit word. In English, it is translated as "Equanimity" or "even minded". It means having a stable, balanced mind that is not shaken by what one experiences, it means being composed, it means living a balanced life, it means being dispassionate, but, it does not mean being indifferent.
I suppose I could have just gone with Equanimity as my word of the year. But, I chose Upeksha, instead, because it has a religious significance to me. In Buddhism, upeksha is one of the four states of sublime attitudes to be cultivated, along with maitri (generally translated as "loving kindness"), karuna (kindness, although, often translated as compassion, as well), and mudita (joy).
I chose this word because I have a feeling that this sort of equanimity is something I will need this year. It looks like it will be another year of many ups and downs, with much of what is happening being beyond my control. Under such circumstances, when I haven't control over what is happening, then, I need to focus on what I can control, which is how I react and respond. In which case, I would like to respond with equanimity or upeksha, in a composed, balanced manner. That is the goal, at least. How well I manage to achieve it is yet to be seen! Wish me well, please!
Do you usually choose a word of the year? Have you chosen your word for this year?
I love your word and am somewhat stealing it. I am printing it out and posting it near my bed so it will be the first word I see in the morning. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne; I'm sharing so you are not stealing! :) I'm glad you love it.
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful choice, and from what (little) I know of you, I suspect you are already some way to achieving it. I tried once to settle on a word for the year but without success. However I do enjoy reading about others' adventures with theirs. I do indeed wish you well!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lady Ella! That is very kind of you to say so! :)
DeleteI love the word you chose for this year Bless, it's absolutely perfect! I chose the word Hope for this year. I'm not sure what I can do with it other than motivation at a personal level, but I sure don't want to lose Hope as far as everything going on in the US and all over the world either!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. Hope is also one of the words I considered! We do have to have hope - that things will improve and that all will be well after all. It is a very good word.
DeleteI love that word. I've gotten it in meditation. I strive to achieve the neutral mind, which they teach in Kundalini Yoga. It really helps to remain in the middle. This year I continue to count my blessings. If all of this had happened when I was younger, I would be in a real pickle.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. Yes, it is a word from meditation, because that sort of equanimity requires a certain amount of meditation. Counting ones blessings is very important for maintaining a sense of balance. I learned that the hard way, when I was going through a very dark period in my life and all I could focus on were all the things that were going wrong! I began to feel very sorry for myself and, counting my blessings and writing down what I was grateful for helped me stop that downward spiral!
DeleteLovely word! I have chosen Create. I wrote about it on my blog. I'm hoping to make sure I keep it in mind in my daily life.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. I remember reading about your word and how you based so many of your goals on the word create. It's a good word, too.
DeleteThis is a brilliant post - thank you for introducing me to this lovely word. My #word365 is "adventure" - a this year is likely to see many new adventures (relocating, retiring and other stuff as yet unknown. Do check my blog tomorrow Bless - it will be my turn to mention a Sanskrit word!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. I read about your word and I think you chose well! I can see that this year will hold many new adventures for you. Actually, I just finished reading and commenting on your post, today; I will definitely be looking forward to tomorrow's post!
DeleteOh I like that word. Many who are choosing one little word have been heavily influenced by the current times of course, and yours is a particularly useful one I think will serve you well. I hope there is a lot of "mudita" in 2021 for you as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susanne. I hope that this word will guide me through this year!
DeleteThat's a perfect choice for your word, Bless. I hadn't heard of it before so have been reading about it online. From what I understand from my reading, I can see that this will help and enhance your response to things outside of your control as well as encouraging the correct mindset as you strive for a balanced life. I wish you success in your journey.
ReplyDeleteMy word for 2021 is 'enough', which I have written about on my blog.
Thank you, Eileen. Yes, that is exactly what I am striving for - the correct mindset for a more balanced life! I am trying to center myself.
DeleteI remember reading your blog post about your word, "enough". That, too, is a good word - being comfortably between the two extremes of lacking and excess. :)
A word for the year is a new concept for me. A year seems like an awfully long time, so maybe I'll start with a word for the day. We'll see. Maybe my words of the day, which may repeat, will add up to a word for the year.
ReplyDeleteThis is only my second year of having a word to guide me through the year. A word for the day sounds good, too! After all, we have to go through the year, one day at a time, don't we? :)
DeleteThat is an excellent choice and even better that you have a Buddhist equivalent to use.
ReplyDeleteI've never gone with a specific word but I think for me the word for this year would have to be "thankfulness" because it was so important for me last year, and I guess I could also relate it to the Greek word, "eukharistos", meaning grateful, which is the basis for the Christian celebration, "Eucharist", which has great meaning for me. I believe that I can always find something to be thankful for, even in the darkest times.
Thank you, Bushlady. I like your word(s) - grateful/thankful - too. Being able to find something to be thankful for, even in the darkest times, is definitely a blessing! I believe it was you who mentioned, many years ago, a book by Corrie ten Boom and a story in it where her sister found a reason to be grateful for the lice when they were in the concentration camps. I borrowed the book from the library and read it.
DeleteI like your word choice. I'd never heard of a word for a year until recently. I think I might borrow yours, if you don't mind! Do take care and stay safe. Best, Celie.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. Of course I don't mind if you borrow the word! Please feel free to do so! :)
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