A New Year, a new word.

After years of things like Allons-y, and Brave (not an intentional connection to the Pixar film set in Scotland...but hey, it happens) I've been thinking for the past week of what a good word for 2013 would be. Newer followers may be wondering about this whole word thing, but if you go to the archive you'll find something about it.

Something that I've realised about the previous words is that to some extent I'd chosen them knowing that somehow the year would be filled with something like that or the need to be reminded of acting in a certain way. At the same time the words did help me make decisions that would make the year more fitting to the word.

In a similar vein, I want to choose a word for 2013 that will be a reminder to continue to choose things that will let the year conform to the word.

Such words as adventure and dream or build have sprung to mind. But being a word-nerd I'm not sure I'm quite satisfied with them. Adventure has, understandable, been a large part of the last two years, both Allons-y and Brave. Adventure is a good noun and works as an adjective for a year, however it's not quite something I can do like the going of Allons-y or the being of brave. Dream is something I never want to stop doing, but it also connotes something less active. Build certainly has the action element, but doesn't quite capture the idea. And so I've come to land upon: renew.

It may sound a little cliche for a new year's word. But in this instance it is true for what I want in this year. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary renew is made up of the parts re (for etymological information click on re) and new (again, click on new). Having studied the novel (yes, the literary genre, not the concept of new/novel things, but go with me here) and having experienced quite an adventure-filled year, I want this year to be about things that will renew me, that will allow for renewed relationships, that will bring change and growth to the areas of my life that need it. As I journey on with renew I'll be learning more about what it means to make choices that lean into renewal, but that sounds like an exciting way to start a new year. And finally, I want to live renew because I want to continue to pursue God's will for my life, and it's something He calls me to (Rom. 12:2).

So there we have it: 2013 the year of renew.