and so began another year

"Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2013?It can be something tangible or intangible. It can be a thought, a feeling, or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word—this is your word.'' 

- Ali, One Little Word 2013

In two thousand and twelve, my word was 'relish'. It was a floaty word, a lovely-peaceful-pink-candy word. It fitted me snugly as I used it as my guide, as I clung to it when things were sombre.

My mother and her side of the family are french, so my sister and I have always grown up in a bilingual environment. It isn't uncommon that our sentences start in english and finish in french, or that we have trouble pronouncing certain words. We are immersed in these two cultures that have always had, and always will have a huge impact on our lives. It is for this reason that I have chosen a french word for two thousand and thirteen.

Être.

Not only does Étre have a literal meaning but it also has an abstract meaning.

Être is literally translated as to Be. In every second, and every minute of every day it is vital to Be. To Be raw, to Be vivid and to Be real. It is so easy to slip into the same-ness, the rituals of every day-life.

Brush your teeth, go to school, do your homework, go to bed.

Brush your teeth, go to school, do your... over and over again.

Two thousand and thirteen isn't going to be easy, but I will try and Be. I will try to string together all the little things, the little moments of happiness, to keep my head high and d'être.

But Être also means something else, it means soul. Not the religious soul, not the floaty substance that disappears after death. No. It's what makes you whole inside. Your guide, your passions, your inner-beauty. That is your soul. I will thrive to find more and more of my soul this year, more of myself.

I like the idea of these two meanings, the literal, straight forward, down to earth one and the abstract, magical stream.

What is your word for two thousand and thirteen?

lots of love,
xoxo
lotus