Intention.

When I considered what word I would choose to govern and set the tone for my Year it was Intention I heard shouting inside my head. This is something I have done for a few years now. In 2007 I had progress as my word. I'm thinking 2008 was growth - I can't find a record of it. Last year I had Simplify ( or something like it ) Truth be told by the end of last year I had totally lost focus and forgotten about my word. In hindsight I wonder if that any indication as to why Dec was the way it was for me.

Once a word jumps out at me I start to examine what it means to me, to define it and think about how it will influence what I do, how it could change things for me. I plant some seeds or even create some seeds of potential I guess. Intention was loud in my head after Christmas and before new Years. Then I watched something that described Intention as an energy used for choosing a word. So I started to doubt it.

No other word presented itself as suitable, things like slow and focus popped up briefly but they didn't excite me as over ruling words for all I do. Intention had quieted but was still strong.

This morning as I sat thinking about my blog for today, I was planning to write about an attitude change I had recently that is making my days easier and about how you can see something or hear something multiple times but you might not really see or hear it until its applicable to you or you are ready to be open to it.

As I sat composing in my head I suddenly realised I had not on line searched 'Intention.'

When determining it's meaning and trying it out for fit I had been putting into sentences such as 'What is your intention' and 'having good intention'. I though I would examine my intention before I did things or took things on. So I stopped and I searched it and these things jumped out at me. It all suddenly made sense.

in·ten·tion    (ĭn-těn'shən)   n. A course of action that one intends to follow. An aim that guides action; an objective. intentions Purpose with respect to marriage: honorable intentions Medicine The process by which or the manner in which a wound heals. Archaic Import; meaning. [Middle English entencioun, from Old French intention, from Latinintentiō, intentiōn-, from intentus, intent, from past participle ofintendere, to direct attention; see intend.] Synonyms: These nouns refer to what one plans to do or achieve. Intention simply signifies a course of action that one proposes to follow: It is my intention to take a vacation next month. Intent more strongly implies deliberateness: The executor complied with the testator's intent. Purpose strengthens the idea of resolution or determination:"His purpose was to discover how long these guests intended to stay" (Joseph Conrad). Goal may suggest an idealistic or long-term purpose: The college's goal was to raise ten million dollars for a new library. End suggests a long-range goal: The candidate wanted to win and pursued every means to achieve that end. Aim stresses the direction one's efforts take in pursuit of an end: The aim of most students is to graduate. An object is an end that one tries to carry out: The object of chess is to capture your opponent's king. Objective often implies that the end or goal can be reached:The report outlines the committee's objectives.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

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So Intention it is.

*** edited to add I found reference to my 2008 word. It was Spirit.