I first learned about the concept of a “word of the year” a few years ago, and I was instantly intrigued. I loved the idea of grounding each new year with a single word that would capture the essence of how I wanted it to feel, the choices I would make, and the actions I would take. It felt like a simple yet powerful way to focus my energy and intentions.

Last year, my word of the year was “alignment.” I had spent so many years living out of alignment with what I truly wanted in life and with the areas I said were my priorities—family, time, energy, and creativity. I wanted to say yes only to things that aligned with those priorities.

Whenever I was faced with a decision or a new opportunity, I would return to that word. Alignment. It was a constant reminder to check if the choice at hand would honor my deepest values. This focus ultimately led me to leave teaching and pursue my business full-time. It also helped me say no to opportunities that didn’t serve me or my priorities. Once I cleared the noise and distractions, I was able to focus on improving my web design skills, launching my website, growing my social media presence, and landing my first clients. I’m so grateful for how “alignment” guided me last year.

For 2025, I’ve chosen a new word: “sow.”

The Power of “Sow”

In scripture, sowing is often used as a metaphor for planting seeds—whether it’s for growth, faith, or future harvest. The Bible speaks to the principle of sowing and reaping in many places, but a couple of verses really stand out to me:

• Galatians 6:7-9: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
• 2 Corinthians 9:6: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

These verses remind me that every action I take—big or small—is like planting a seed. The investment of my time, energy, and resources today is an act of faith, trusting that in due time, the seeds I plant will grow into something beautiful, abundant, and impactful. This year, I want to adopt the posture of a sower, planting seeds with intention and watching for the harvest in the future.

Why “Sow” Matters to Me Now

As I continue growing into my roles as a wife, mother, and business owner, I plan to view every action I take this year as an opportunity to sow. Whether I’m sowing seeds with my time (like carefully planning and staying focused on daily tasks), sowing seeds with my learning (investing in courses to sharpen my business and design skills), or sowing seeds with my relationships (making my interactions with family and friends deliberate and meaningful), I want to be mindful that every act of intention is planting the ground for future growth.

One of the main reasons I chose “sow” as my word is because I have a tendency to be impatient. When I set a goal and begin working on it, I often expect to see immediate results. When that doesn’t happen, I can feel frustrated, doubt myself, or wonder if the effort was worthwhile. Worse, I sometimes wonder if there’s something wrong with me if I don’t see the results I want quickly enough.

Instead, I’m choosing to trust in the process of sowing—taking consistent, deliberate action now in expectation of the abundant harvest to come. I’m coupling that action with gratitude—for what I already have, and for what is still to come. There’s a peace that comes from letting go of the need for immediate results and embracing the quiet, patient growth that comes with sowing in faith.

I Encourage You to Choose a Word for 2025

As we approach the new year, I encourage you to think about choosing a word for 2025. It doesn’t need to be complicated—just one word that resonates with you and represents what you want to focus on in the coming year. Whether it’s to guide your decisions, motivate your actions, or remind you of what truly matters, a word of the year can be a powerful tool in shaping the way you live your life.

Let’s encourage one another to make 2025 a year of growth, purpose, and abundant harvest.