-- to have enough courage or confidence to do something
-- to not be too afraid to do something
-- to do (something that is difficult or that people are usually afraid to do
This year I watched as many of my online friends began choosing a single word to bring focus to their year. Instead of making promises to themselves that most probably would be forgotten, they were choosing an idea that they hoped would bring meaning to their year. As I read their blogs and followed their thinking process, I decided to follow their lead, to chose one little word to hopefully bring focus and meaning to my life and learning throughout this year.
My word -- Dare.
I liked that it was short and to the point, and I felt it conveyed the essence of my hopes and dreams for this year. Thus, my resolutions this year were in the form of I dare "yous" to myself.
- Dare to do something about my weight and health. Have the courage Lori Carter to say no to the foods and habits.
- Dare to finish my reading specialist and gifted education credentials. Why was I so afraid of that specialist test?
- Dare to go for my Doctorate. Who cares that I'm 54? I'm still able to learn and this has been a goal of mine forever.
- Dare to develop an attitude of gratitude in everything I do.
- Dare to write and share my writing. (Guess how I'm tackling this one! ;) Isn't it amazing just how many of us have shared our fears of writing or sharing our writing with others? )
I purchased those individual architectural letters that you see in the kiosks in the mall and had them framed so that I could hang it on the wall opposite my desk. My word is in front of me each and every day to remind me to ask myself, "What can you accomplish today, if you DARE?"