Open. That’s not only my word for this new year, I think that’s my word for this new decade.

For the past several years, I’ve chosen a word at the start of each new year. It’s not a New Year’s Resolution. It’s more of a reflection, a word to put things into perspective.

This year, I decided to post about my word after January resolution season, so that there would be less room for comparison. Not only is this not January 1st; it’s not even February 1st. Today, on March 1st, it seemed appropriate to post my thoughts. We are past Leap Day and headed into spring.

The word “open” can have several meanings, and for me, it does. I am open to this new year, to this new decade. This openness is not just a “choosing to be positive and expecting the best” plan. It’s an opening the window to let the sun and the breeze–whether comforting or harsh–into my decade. It’s a belief that no matter how harsh some days will be, I will find the comfort that I need in those tangible moments as well.

I am open to learning. Open to surprise. Open to the next decade looking different than I think it will, whether better or worse. Simply open.

Here are some quotes to reflect on the word “open.” Do you have another word for the year–or the decade–that you would like to share?

“As we become more open and accepting of others and appreciative of what they have to offer, they open up more to us in return.”
― Joseph Deitch, Elevate: An Essential Guide to Life

“Truth is the offspring of silence and meditation. I keep the subject constantly before me and wait ’til the first dawnings open slowly, by little and little, into a full and clear light.”
― Isaac Newton

“S.T.O.P. = Start To Open Possibilities”
― Richie Norto

“There is no window to look outside.
There is no window to look within.
Open the doors.”
― Sanhita Baruah