Embrace

Embrace ~ verb

1. To take or clasp in arms; hug

2. To take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly

3. To avail oneself of (take opportunity)

4. To adopt (profession, religion, etc.)

5. Acceptance

New Years resolutions. Every year, people always try to come up with some sort of change they want to have happen in the new year. Could be exercising more, trying a new diet, spend less time on their phone, read a certain number of books, find a new job, etc. But every year, after a while they either succeed or fail at their resolution. Honestly, more realistically, they fall back to the same routines as the previous year. Well this year I am trying something different. I am trying a one word focus resolution - one word to focus on this year to help me with a mindset that keeps me moving forward. Embrace.

Embrace as defined above, has many different meanings and that is why this word is special to a mindset. It’s both a noun and a verb (depending on its use). So definition by definition I am going to breakdown why this word is my word of 2021 and what makes it special to me.

1. A Hug ~ this definition is a simple one. To hug someone. Can anyone really turn down a hug from someone they care about? From someone they love? Well maybe. But, in a year when all we did was awkward air high fives, fist bumps, foot taps, and elbow shakes. A hug is something special. It is taking that embrace to show you are there for someone just like they are there for you. It’s support. And in a year where we have probably felt further away from others than ever before. I believe an embrace (hug) is something we all need.

2 & 5 To take/receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly; Acceptance ~ this definition gets a little tricky. Embracing something is an action, it’s a mindset. It has two forms. The first form is simple, taking or accepting something that is already something you agree with or enjoy. Could be an idea you had in your head, or a situation that was something you dreamed about. Of course you’re going to say yes to something that you already agree with! But the flip side to this is something that is harder to swallow. Acceptance. Embracing a challenge. Embracing something - news, ideas, a situation - and turning it into a chance for growth. Now this is something that takes a while to understand, and maybe even longer to figure out how to implement into your life. But being able to embrace a situation for what it is and overcoming it, that is a sign or growth and inner strength.

4. To adopt (profession, religion, etc.) ~ basically means to take on something new, and make it a part of you. Just like the examples, embracing a new profession and making it your new job. Embracing a new religion, and learning more about it or even embracing it as your own.

3. To avail oneself of (take opportunity) ~ but this definition is one of my favorites. Because this one like my last post, is a mindset. Similar to number 2/5, as your receiving or accepting something, to avail oneself means to take advantage of. Benefitting from a situation. Now I do not mean this in a lucrative sense, what’s in it for me? But I mean this in a sense of; how in this situation, can I turn the worst part of it into something great?

So this year, my word is to embrace. In all definitions. This is the year for me to embrace change, embrace growth, embrace hardships and trials, embrace success, and embrace those around me. I challenge you to take this same idea into your life, maybe even come up with a word of your own. And my prayer is that we all see this year as something new, something fresh, and something that we can all embrace - together.