How One Word Can Change Everything
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” — J.K. Rowling
“Let there be light”
If you’ve ever read the Bible, you might recall that in the story of creation, God used words to bring the world into existence. “Let there be light,” He said, and it was so. Words have power. They shape realities, spark revolutions, and create lasting legacies.
Human history itself has been built and preserved through words. Long before the printing press, stories were our primary means of sharing knowledge, culture, and wisdom. Even today, words remain the cornerstone of everything from personal identity to national purpose. Consider the U.S. Constitution—a carefully crafted series of words that laid the foundation for a nation, debated over and signed into history by its founding fathers.
This enduring power of words brings me to a personal practice I began last year: choosing a single word to guide my growth for the year.
The Power of One Word
Last year, my pastor introduced a simple but profound idea—choosing a word for the year. He explained how selecting a guiding word can serve as a foundation for personal development and focus. I decided to give it a try, and my word for 2024 was hope. At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure how hope would play out in my life. I didn’t attach a rigid definition to it. Instead, I allowed it to evolve and reveal itself as the year unfolded.
As it turned out, hope became a central theme during a difficult year for my family. We faced significant challenges, particularly with family and health issues. In the midst of uncertainty, hope kept me grounded. It became a quiet but steady undercurrent, reminding me to trust in the process, even when things felt out of control.
Emergence: My Word for 2025
As 2024 draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what word should guide me in 2025. After a lot of thought, reflection, and journaling, one word kept coming back to me: emergence. It’s a word that feels deeply personal—one that speaks to stepping into my full self, shedding the limitations of the past, and embracing who I’m meant to be.
Emergence represents transformation, but not in the sense of a sudden change. It’s about the slow, deliberate process of becoming. It’s about growth that’s been happening beneath the surface for a long time, finally breaking through. This word challenges me to move forward intentionally, with clarity and confidence. It’s about embracing new opportunities, letting go of old patterns, and truly coming into my own.
My wife, in her ever-practical way, encouraged me to take this practice further by creating actionable steps around my word. So, I’ve started mapping out ways to live with emergence as my focus in 2025, including journaling prompts, goals, and reminders to keep me on track.
How to Choose Your Word for the Year
If this idea resonates with you, here’s a simple process to help you choose your word for 2025:
Reflect: Take some time to reflect on your experiences over the past year. What themes or lessons stood out? What personal growth did you experience?
Meditate or Pray: Whether you’re spiritual or not, finding stillness and listening to your inner voice can help reveal what matters most.
Consider Your Goals: Think about the challenges and opportunities ahead. What do you want to focus on? What word could serve as a guidepost for your journey?
Challenge Yourself: Pick a word that feels a bit scary or uncomfortable. Growth only happens on the edge of comfort, right? The right word should inspire you but also push you in new ways.
Write It Down: Once you’ve chosen your word, write it where you’ll see it every day—on your bathroom mirror, as your phone wallpaper, or even on a sticky note on your computer screen. Keeping it visible reinforces its importance and helps you stay focused.
Review It Monthly: At the start of each month, take a moment to reflect on your word and ask yourself if you’ve taken actions that align with its intention. Adjust your approach as needed to stay on track.
Final Thoughts
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” — Socrates
Words are more than just letters strung together—they’re vessels of meaning and intent. Choosing a word for the year is a simple yet powerful way to set an intentional direction for your life. It’s not about perfection or rigid goals but about having a compass to guide your growth.
I’ll be honest—I’m still figuring this out myself. Last year’s word, hope, unfolded gradually for me, and I expect emergence will do the same. That’s why I’d love to hear from others who have done something similar. How did your word guide you? How did you stay on track? Let’s learn from each other and make 2025 a year of intentional growth.
P.S. I’d love to hear what word you choose for your year—feel free to share it in the comments or send me a message. Let’s inspire each other to grow intentionally in 2025.
