One Word 2012, VeggieTales, and Free Buttons for Your One Word

Happy New Year! We’re officially into 2012 and I have my word.

If you’re new here: at the start of each year, instead of a list of resolutions I’ll never keep, I choose one word to guide my year. One word to return to when I’ve lost my way. One word to shape my prayers and my decisions and my sense of what matters.

This practice has been genuinely transformative for me. It’s not a magic formula — it’s more like a compass. When I’m pulled in seventeen directions (which is most Tuesdays), having one word cuts through the noise. If you’re still searching for the right word, this guide to choosing a word of the year walks through the process with over 100 word ideas organised by theme.

My word for 2012

I’m not ready to share it publicly just yet — it needs a little more time to settle. But I will say it has something to do with how I show up in my home and for my family. The past year has taught me that the work I do inside these four walls is more significant than I usually give it credit for, and I want to lean into that more intentionally.

VeggieTales wisdom

In completely unrelated news: my children have been watching a lot of VeggieTales lately, and I am not even slightly embarrassed to say that some of those songs are living in my head rent-free. There’s something about singing vegetables earnestly discussing character and kindness that I find deeply comforting. If that’s wrong, I don’t want to be right. If you’re looking for more ways to build warmth and meaning into everyday family life, this list of simple family traditions kids will remember is full of ideas you can start this week.

Free One Word buttons for your blog

If you’re doing the One Word challenge and would like a little button for your sidebar, I’ve made some free ones! They’re simple, pretty, and 100% free to use.

What’s your word for 2012? I’d love to hear it in the comments.