Word of the Year: “Second-Firsts” #OneWord365

Posted on January 1, 2013 by elizabeth

 I don’t know about you, but I messed up a lot in 2012.

Last night I couldn’t fall asleep and I was lying there thinking about all the ways I screwed up, missed opportunities or settled for second-best. I was nearly overcome with regret. That regret threatened to drown all the success I’ve had this year.

I finally drifted off to sleep and when I woke up today, I remembered something my editor told me: God not only gives us second chances, He also gives us Second Firsts.

“Second Firsts” is the anti-thesis of “Second Best.” Our human economy tells us we’re all competing for a limited supply of ‘firsts.’ But God isn’t bound by human economics, is He? A truly good, limitless God is capable of giving His children second chances and second firsts–no matter how badly we’ve screwed it up.

I love the idea of Second Firsts. It gives me that little thrill of possibility. It’s a pure shot of hope. It gives me a more expansive view of God.

Second Firsts is my word for 2013. Or, rather, it’s my driving idea, my Prime Mover, my catalyst, my springboard.

Last year, I took the phrase Relentless Optimism to heart. I can honestly report that living my life with relentless optimism resulted in a huge mental shift, which led to a tangibly positive result in my life. For example, I stuck with an exercise regimen for the WHOLE YEAR. I ran two 5ks, lost 12 lbs and felt better than I did at 21.

Relentless optimism!

This year, I’m drawing close to the idea of Second Firsts. I believe that God is capable of redeeming things in my life far beyond my expectations. I don’t want to live my life narrowly. I want to live with open arms and open heart.

I believe that with God there are no leftovers. A good Father knows how to give good gifts. I want to live from that place. I believe all is redeemed. I believe God makes all things beautiful.

I can’t wait to see the Second-Firsts that will happen in my life this year!

Do you have a word or phrase for 2013? Share with me!
And be sure to check out the One Word 365 community. 

 

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  • Sarah

    I LOVE the idea of “Second Firsts” Do you mind if I borrow it for my daily life? It just sounds so much better than second chance or restart.

  • Jana

    My word for this year is listen…listen to my best friend who’s husband just died at age 47, listen to my teenage son, listen to the 5th graders I work with. Listen to God.

  • http://sarahaskins.com Sarah Askins

    I love the idea of Second-Firsts…what a smart editor! I can’t wait see how it plays out this year for you.

  • Anonymous

    fearless. we’ll just have to see how that goes. . .
    steph

  • Jane

    “Beloved-and-not-belittled” Not one word, but one phrase will have to do. :)

  • Jo Ann

    Balance. It has been getting harder and harder for me to have balance in my life. Time for God, for me, for my husband, my children, for finishing my Master’s degree — all while working long hours at our church. I like your idea of Second Firsts. I want to model Jesus better this year. He taught, he healed, he spent hours with his friends, but he always made time to be alone with God in prayer. That’s my goal this year.

  • http://www.facebook.com/lynne.tait Lynne Tait

    Courage. It’s a word that frightens me, because I’m a mousy little introvert who’d rather watch and observe than jump in and take risks. but risk-taking is essential to truthful creativity, and it’s time I learned to take some steps in that direction

  • Aprille

    I love love!!!!! your word. Mine is Home:

    http://beautifulinhistime.com/2013/01/01/home-one-word-for-2013/

  • http://teamaidan.wordpress.com/ Heather Bowie

    I love the idea of second-firsts. I think I’m going to jump in on the one word idea but I also feel like I need a wall of other people’s words b/c they’re so fabulous. Second-firsts is going on my wall somewhere. Can’t wait to hear more about this redemption process.

  • http://twitter.com/Missindeedy Missindeedy

    I’m choosing to be Intentional, myself. Your enthusiasm for the very notion of Second-firsts, however, is contagious. I may just have to tuck that little phrase right into my efforts to be live with greater intention.

  • Grandmother

    Love this. I chose a word last year for the first time and found it helpful as a way of bringing focus to what seemed The Important Thing. This year my word is “Yes”. Yes to openness, yes to being present to myself, yes to moments, yes to this life that I have, yes to God’s life in me and mine in his.

  • http://twitter.com/hobwas Jenn LeBow

    Greatness. I adore this idea. I had to wait to read any more of other people’s words until I had come to terms with my own word, so I just read your post today. Thank you for this beautiful explanation of your word. And is that _your_ grandmother posting about picking her word? Because that is seriously cool.

  • Anonymous

    I love your word(s) for the year! I can’t wait to see how God reveals Himself to you through them and to read more posts from you and you conquer your blog!