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My One Word for 2020: Gratitude


Abstract figure with graduation cap symbolizing education and achievement.

All of us have hopes and dreams. My friends on Twitter asked everyone to come up with our One Word for 2020. I reviewed what I wrote about for “My One Word for 2019†on how each new year holds endless possibilities. Instead of “Impossible,†I saw “I’m possible.†I didn’t see it until now. I love this word: “Possibilities†I see us considering “Possibilities†to achieve our hopes and dreams. 

Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible! ~Audrey Hepburn

Choosing My One Word for 2020 was an interesting exercise for me since I’ve been writing my book, Define Your WHY. My One Word for 2018 was YET and 2017 was Joy. I did learn that year the importance of a growth mindset and learned that adding YET on anything that I wasn’t sure about changed me. I wasn’t going to give up brainstorming ideas for one possible word for 2020: stories, hope, purpose, why, be, responsibility, and more. 2019 has exciting for me with the focus on WHY and stories. I wrote about a sense of wonder in my book and decided to share it to help me find my one word for 2020.

When we’re young, we have a sense of wonder. Everything is new and exciting.  I’ve heard this quote, “the world is your oyster.†I’m assuming that means that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. The world is there waiting for you. But it seems a little tougher and more expensive to live now. So what can we do if times may seem tough? I say it’s time to bring the wonder back. You see, attitude is everything. When times are tough and you don’t feel appreciated or valued, that’s when you need An Attitude of Gratitude. When I feel down or not sure about my day, I take out my gratitude jar and write something I wonder about or am grateful for. I found that you can’t be depressed and be grateful at the same time. Try it! If you can’t find something to be grateful for at the time, then write down something you wonder about. Push your thinking to do more wondering and find something you are curious about. Write it down!

Abstract figure with graduation cap symbolizing education and achievement.

I took out my gratitude jar and started reading what I wrote on the slips of paper in 2019. The first one I picked out of the jar was being grateful for my PLN. I read more and there were many people who were there for me. I couldn’t write my book, Define Your WHY without the support of my family, friends, and colleagues. I am so grateful. That’s it! My #OneWord for 2020 is GRATITUDE. 2020 will be the year I have an Attitude for Gratitude. My book is launching in February. I’ll be sharing excerpts from my book more often.

You can create your One Word for 2020 and include the hashtag #OneWord2020. 

  • Think about your hopes and dreams.
  • Come up with One Word for the new year and add the hashtag #OneWord2020.
  • Create a graphic that depicts your One Word. I used Canva to create My One Word graphic. Another program I have used is Buncee to create interactive images.
  • Share your One Word on Twitter and Instagram or whatever way feels good for you.

Write a post and share it on Twitter and tag me with my handle @bbray27. Over the next week,  Meredith Johnson @mjjohnson1216 of #BookCampPD will be adding graphics educators create of their #OneWord2020 You can view their creative designs at bookcamppd.com/oneword2020/

Go ahead can create your One Word and share it with Meredith. Let’s build our One Words together.

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For all of the Rethinking Learning podcasts with Barbara Bray, click on the podcast tab at the top, the logo below, or go to https://barbarabray.net/podcasts/

“Grow Your Why…One Story at a Time” includes 23 stories from inspirational educators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Go to this page or click on the book to go to Why Press Publishing for launching, details, and resources.

I’m getting wonderful feedback on how much the information and stories in “Define Your Why” have helped them. For more information about this book, go to this page or click on the book for resources, questions, and links.

Make sure you check out more of the Grow Your WHY podcasts and each post that the guests created. Click on this link or the logo below to list by episode, alphabetical, or reflections.

I am a co-host of a new podcast, “Real Talk with Barbara and Nicole.” Check out the episodes about Authenticity in a Polarized Society around different topics. Click on RealTalkBN or the logo below.

About the author

Barbara Bray is a Story Weaver capturing stories from inspirational people about insightful journeys to discover and grow their purpose. As a Creative Learning Strategist, Speaker, Coach, Mentor, and Change Maker, she has worked tirelessly for over 30 years to transform teaching so learning is personal, authentic, and meaningful. Barbara is the owner/founder of Computer Strategies, LLC with its division Rethinking Learning and My eCoach that has a new home at K12Leaders. She was the past co-founder of Personalize Learning, LLC, and co-authored two books: Make Learning Personal and How to Personalize Learning. In 2017, Barbara started the Rethinking Learning Podcast and the #rethink_learning Twitter chat. From the stories her guests shared and her own journey, she wrote "Define Your WHY: Own your story so you live and learn on purpose." She co-hosts the podcast, "Real Talk with Barbara and Nicole" with Nicole Biscotti about authenticity in a polarized society. Barbara is the author of "Grow Your Why... One Story at a Time" with inspirational stories from 23 amazing contributing authors that she self-published under a new division and publishing company, Why Press Publishing.