January 6, 2025
We celebrated Christmas a little differently this year than we have the past few years.
This year, everyone started arriving on December 26th and 27th. By Friday afternoon, our driveway was full, and so were our hearts.
We hosted 10 for a week while 9 others came over to visit and eat. It was busy and glorious at the same time.
My New Year's Day reflection comes a little later as the last car drove out of the driveway yesterday, and I took down the last Christmas decorations at our house and my mother's condo.
In October 2024, I reflected on my word for 2024-- Magnify.
Magnify was realized in my life on many levels--both inwardly and outwardly. And one meaningful way to end the year was the daily Advent readings from Mary's Voice by author and new friend Amy Orr Ewing, based on Luke 1 and 2.
As I look to 2025, I have selected EMBOLDEN for 2025. Or did EMBOLDEN select me?
As part of a way to lead Arkansas Hospice and Arkansas Hospice Foundation, I shared "my why." Simon Sinek has encouraged leaders to share their "whys" to help others see what is at the core of a leader's intent.
I want to relate to people to help them maximize their gifts and reach their potential personally and professionally.
As I reflected on a new word for 2025, "my why" was at the forefront of what my new word should be. I read Psalms or Proverbs as part of my daily Bible reading. In October, when I began considering my new word, I read Psalm 138:3.
“On the day I called you, you answered me. You made me strong and brave.”
EMBOLDEN
to fill with courage or strength of purpose.
embolden
/ĕm-bōl′dən/
transitive verb
To foster boldness or courage in. synonym: encourage.
Similar: encourage
To give boldness or courage to; to encourage.
Similar: emboldened
verb
To render (someone) bolder or more courageous.
“Great leaders embolden the rest of us to rise to our highest potentialities, to be active, insistent and resolute in affirming our own sense of things.”
—Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr
"Leadership begins the moment you are more concerned about others’ flourishing than you are about your own."
Andy Crouch
As a leader, wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, and friend this season, I look forward to how I embolden those around me.
