Nancy Kuhuski

Brave….my word for 2017 was Brave. Last January I was expectant as I launched into a new year. I had just taken on a new leadership position at work, I was being stretched and grown though grad school, I was excited for the opportunities the year would hold and I was ready to tackle them bravely…or so I thought. In each of the scenarios I imagined myself needing to be brave, I was preparing, already growing in my confidence, and I just knew with a little push and probably a lot of prayer, I would show up brave!

Well…I really had no idea what was coming and was not prepared for most of the places I needed to be brave this year… Pushing through a lot of pain and hours and hours of grueling rehab after a terrible car accident… I had to be brave. In the midst of a mysterious illness that hijacked my life for a few months with few answers, then vanishing as quickly as it came…I had to be brave. As I completed year two of grad school – including research and development of a practice model that have taken on a life of their own… I had to be brave. As I heeded the call to start speaking, writing and blogging… I had to be brave. As I walked my teenager through her best friend’s attempted suicide… I had to be brave. As I came face to face with my own fears, insecurities, failures, flaws, and inadequacies, yet chose to face them head on… I had to be brave. As I trusted God’s timing, and bigger plan…I had to be brave.

Being brave has been a wild adventure full of growth, opportunities, and lessons I did not go looking for. There’s a LOT wrapped up in one little word! However, even with the challenges to acquiring all Brave had for me – I have no regrets! I’m grateful for the gifts Brave offered me in 2017, regardless of the road to acquiring them.

As I’ve contemplated my word for 2018, it’s not surprising I’ve felt a little apprehensive – can you blame me? Yet there’s a word that keeps coming back to me, and my heart beats a little faster every time I think about it…the word is Daring: Adventurous courage; Boldness, Fearless or intrepid. Yes! This is my word for 2018 and it evokes fear and excitement simultaneously! So again, I’m expectant for all the ways I will get to be Daring in 2018, and I’ve learned – I’m not even trying to figure out what that means yet!! I know there will be challenges, I will be stretched and grown, but I’m confident it will be worth it and am determined to be Daring this year!

What’s your word for 2018? Where are you supposed to be grown and stretched in the upcoming year? Would you pray about and contemplate what your word for 2018 is? Then will you share it with me? Happy New Year – The best is yet to come!!