There’s a first time for everything…
I cannot remember actually choosing and sticking to a word of the year.
I’ve flirted with the idea before. I like the thought of a word to focus on.
The closest I came to choosing a word of the year was choosing a specific category of books to read. My friend Heather inspired me years ago to read a book a month. My chosen book focus was community. I read three books by Brené Brown, and learned about the things that stand in the way of us experiencing genuine connection. I read The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker; twice. So, focusing on community through the dozen books I read really filled my heart.
So, by choosing my first official word of the year, I am quite excited.
I decided to not overthink it.
Sweet came to me right away. 
sweet /swēt/ :: adjective
2. pleasing in general; delightful.
I am the kind of person who is really good at doing things. That’s not a humble brag, it’s a fact. I can be a machine. Put in an “order”, get out a “product”. In other words, I am very efficient.
A couple months ago, a friend sent a thought-provoking video to me, where a dynamic young black female entrepreneur was sharing how she developed the confidence to build her own business. She wrote down, each day, things she was proud of. 
I already journal daily. I write prayers to God. I write down a list of five or more unique things I’m grateful for because I learned a while back that gratitude changes the brain.
Sweet, as in indulge…
I bought a sparkly dress that I wore exactly once. My sweet treat to myself is wearing it again this month.
In 2024, I will embark on a journey to give myself permission to drink my tea slowly daily. I want to use my fancy baking dish for Tuesday night dinner with my husband. I want to indulge in more days soaking in the sun on my lunchtime walks, like I’ve been doing this week.
I want to stop and recognize daily that my life is already rich and glittery and full of beautiful, colorful moments.
Sweet, as in actually sweet…
2024 will be filled with more baking and more sharing of baked treats.
Starting this weekend. It’s been on my “to-do” list for about a month to bake cookies and deliver them to the three neighbors we’re friends with in our new home. I plan to check that off the list with pumpkin spice cookies this weekend.
I love to bake.
Peach-raspberry cobbler (my personal specialty), blueberry crumble cake, and strawberry hand pies will be fun to revisit!
So we’ll see what new baking recipes 2024 brings me!
What’s your word for 2024?
Love & Joy,
Vimbo
