My One Word for 2020...COURAGE

At the beginning of this year I chose one word that I wanted to live my life by. That word was abundance. I was expecting abundance in every area of my life including financial, relational and in my fitness ministry.

I expected abundance living a life of compassion, joy and vulnerability.

The scripture I chose for this past year was John 10:10. “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Has 2019 worked out exactly how I wanted it to.

No. I am still not married or anywhere close to it. Being in that special relationship has always been one of my top prayers over the past ten years since my divorce, and here I am still single.

But 2019 has worked out exactly according to God’s plans. As I look back at this year I have been amazingly blessed. I have two wonderful kids who are now young adults who are both thriving and healthy.

I live close to my family and my ministry is growing. My own personal growth has been exponential over this past year as I am stepping into who God created me to be. I am finally seeing myself the way God sees me and I am actually starting to believe in myself.

Live with an Expectation of Abundance

2019 has been a year of abundance. I will continue to live each and every day with an expectation of abundance.

I have chosen a new word for 2020. I have found that living by one word and one scripture for the year is more powerful than setting New Year’s Resolutions or goals. That’s what works best for me.

My One Word for 2020 is COURAGE

My scripture for 2020 is Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The courage I am talking about isn’t necessarily physical courage. Although that may be part of my story this year as I have set some big physical challenges for 2020, but I am talking more about being courageously vulnerable.

Brene Brown talks a great deal about courage. According to her great work and research on courage and vulnerability this is how she describes courage.

“Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor- the Latin word for heart. In one if its earliest forms, the word courage meant to speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart. Over time, this definition has changed, and today, we typically associate courage with heroic and brave deeds.”

Learning How to Be Courageously Vulnerable

The type of courage I am talking about for 2020 is being courageously vulnerable by speaking openly and honestly about who I am and about my experiences in my life, both good and bad.

I am pretty good about keeping my mask on. My game face. I have been described as stoic. I have been accused of not showing my cards. Which is great for poker, but not the best way to live life.

For 2020 I want to live dangerously. Not necessarily physically, although that may be a part of it. But live dangerously psychologically and spiritually. I want to take chances.

I am starting to learn on my journey that one of the most courageous things we can do is to be vulnerable. To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.

I want to be courageous in my writing.

I want to be courageous in my podcasting.

I want to be courageous in my public speaking

I want to be courageous in every area of my life showing up 100% as my authentic self. 

No more mask. No more worrying about what people will think about me.

I want to show up as Troy the spiritual warrior.

I want to show up as the man God created me to be.

What is Your One Word Going to be for 2020? 

I want to encourage you to come up with one word and live every day by that one word. Find something that inspires and challenges you. Find a scripture if you are so inclined that goes along with your one word.

It’s the start of a new decade. Let’s start off the new year with focus and clarity on how we can best lift our spirit so we can live our best lives for the betterment of humanity.

Troy Ismir, MS

Author, Podcaster, Speaker and Spiritual Warrior Coach

troyismir.com

www.facebook.com/troyspiritualwarrior

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