“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language 
And next year’s words await another voice.” 

― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

I have chosen words of the year for more than ten years. Each year, I look within and think about my I am, my why, my not yet, my joy, my light, my fire. My words do not necessarily represent another voice, but rather the voice I am excavating, finding, and learning. The trembling voice that speaks truth. The expansive voice that holds it all. The still small voice that knows. Last year’s language folds into this year’s language as wisdom and understanding. Last year’s language — words taken together — becomes today’s vision. Last year’s language becomes today’s words rooted in love.

As this year that was a wave on the ocean that crashes the soul came to an end, I looked behind me and before me. My recent Words of the Year have included Presence, Truth, Transformation, Surrender, Health, and Deciduous.

Going in to next year, miracle is my word of the year.

I started my Word of the Year search while writing our annual Christmas letter. I thought I would write about peace — thinking peace is something to consider right now. I first started quoting “Silent Night,” “Silent night. Holy Night. All is calm. All is bright.” Then, I thought about the song, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” The thought struck me that peace feels like a miracle right now in the middle of all that is. Perhaps my Word of the Year this year is a prayer that we notice miracles. Miracles like everyday blessings. Miracles like connecting with ourselves and others. Miracles like our bodies healing. Miracles like loving-kindness. Indeed, to be is a miracle.