What is your word? Do you have one?
Growing up, adults would often ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’m fairly certain I responded with occupations like: Dancer, Actress, Journalist. Maybe not in that order.
Then as time moves on, we set out to become those things. I danced for many, many years and eventually had to give that up because of issues with my feet. I auditioned for many roles in community theater, took acting lessons, until right before college when I officially made up my mind that I wanted to do something more practical. So I went on to become a journalist.
In your 20s, people ask you, “What do you do?” I would always reply, “I’m a TV News Producer.” And please note: it was said with complete pride. I had set a goal and achieved the goal and wanted everyone to know about it.
By the time you get to your 30s, life takes a few twists and turns and your friends and strangers get a little more philosophical with their questions. We went from, “what do you want to be” to “what do you do to “what is your word?”
I would respond with- writer. Why? Because ultimately, that was what I had become. I had written the news, then I went on to work in media relations and wrote press releases and speeches, then onto other jobs which required tons of writing. Later, I even became a free-lance writer. As the years rambled on, I thought I was getting smarter about the question. I changed my response to- storyteller.
But that’s not my word. That’s not who I am, that is what I do.
I ask YOU this now – What is your word?
Just who are you?
As I have gotten a little older, I finally came up with my word – resilient.
re·sil·ient
rəˈzilyənt/
adjective
1. (of a person or animal) able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
“babies are generally far more resilient than new parents realize”
synonyms: strong, tough, hardy; More
2. (of a substance or object) able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed.
“a shoe with resilient cushioning”
synonyms: flexible, pliable, supple; More
I am resilient. To test this theory, visit my old blog – Destination Unknown – Part 1 (you can find the link in the About Me section.) Man oh man, I have proven that I can fall down and dust myself right back up and come back stronger each time. (Takes that whole phoenix rising from the ashes cliche to a whole new level.)
However – NOW. Where am I now? What is my word now? How have I changed, or rather, how have I evolved?
I’m not sure.
I recently watched Eat, Love, Pray again. It was one of my all-time favorite books, then, of course, I loved the movie. That final scene, when Liz finds her word….
She discusses her Quest Theory. It struck me – my blog, Destination Unknown, epitomizes this theory, and honestly, her final word was so appropriate for my new marriage to Tim.
Maybe my word for now is… Attraversiamo.
And maybe it’s just a temporary word in this extremely transitional time in my life. And maybe… 2018 will bring a new word.
Maybe…
Now… how about you?
Destination Unknown 