Best of 2009: Word of the Year

Main Entry: abide
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈbīd\
Function: verb

transitive verb 1 : to wait for : await
2 a : to endure without yielding : withstand b : to bear patiently : tolerate
3 : to accept without objection

intransitive verb 1 : to remain stable or fixed in a state
2 : to continue in a place : sojourn

This year has been a time of change for me.  I moved to a new country, established a home, planned a wedding/got married, cared for a dying car, had a kitty crisis, joined a gym, started a blog, and founded a philosophy.  That adds up to a lot of stress on my part; historically, something I’ve not been very good at handling.

But this year, it’s been different.  I magically found myself able to roll with (most) punches instead of freaking out  (although I did fall into hystronics occasionally).  Wedding details blew up, and I managed to ignore my inner control freak to smooth them over, and I never turned into a Bridezilla (even after people told me I’m totally that kind of person).  I’ve gotten a stronger grip on my irrational jealousy, as well as my desperate need to please other people.  While it’s not all perfectly erased, my tendencies toward despair are melting away.  Maybe it’s maturity, maybe it’s short-term memory loss.  Either way, I’m welcoming the change.

And thus my word of the year is abide.

Not in the I’m-a-doormat kinda way, but in that The-Dude-Abides kinda way.

I’ve learned the art of abiding.

Posted: December 31st, 2009 under best of, observation, personal.

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