The Power of a Word: How I Direct My Purpose Each Year

What Is My Purpose?

I’ve often asked myself this question. Over time, I’ve come to believe that, in its simplest form, my purpose is to grow. Grow in knowledge, experience, faith, devotion, humility, wisdom, discipline, empathy — the list could go on. To me, growth means change, movement, and heading toward something better than where I started.

To hold myself accountable to that growth, I’ve made a practice of choosing a word of the year. This year, my word is move. I want to keep moving forward — in my mindset, in my habits, in my relationships. That doesn’t mean moving to a new physical address or running a marathon. It means moving toward a deeper understanding of who I am and who I’m becoming.

Starting this blog is part of that movement. As an introvert, sharing my words publicly is far outside my comfort zone. But discomfort often signals growth, and hitting “publish” is one small way I keep myself from standing still.

Of course, growth isn’t always straightforward. How do we know which way to move? How do we grow in a way that makes us feel full — not empty or lost in purposeless striving?

If you Google “how to seek clarity,” you’ll find a flood of suggestions: meditation, journaling, exercise, improving sleep, eating well, and reducing screen time. Each one has its place. But I’ve found one practice that seems to bring them all together: travel.

Travel has a way of combining movement, rest, reflection, and renewal all in one grand adventure. It pushes us out of routines, invites us to see the world differently, and gives us space to breathe. For me, it’s not just about the destinations, but about how every trip becomes part of my ongoing purpose to grow — to live a life that’s far from empty.

Reflection Questions:

1. What word could you choose to guide your growth for the rest of this year?
2. When was the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone — and what did it teach you?
3. When you think about purpose, do you tend to focus on what you “do” or on who you are becoming?
   
   

Next Step: Write your “word of the year” on a sticky note and place it somewhere visible — your desk, fridge, or car dashboard. Let it be a daily reminder to keep moving forward. Then write a short statement of who you want to be in the next season of life and share it with someone you trust.