Word of the Year 2025 - Practice

My Word of the Year for 2025 is Practice. As is often the case, even though I wasn't consciously trying to come up with a clever WOTY, the thoughts that have returned again and again over the past few weeks started centering around this idea, and then there were a couple of sentences in what I was reading and hearing that stuck with me . . . and eventually a word and idea to focus on in the coming year seemed obvious. Practice. Put the things I've learned and that I know into practice. Practice doing what I know I should do and want to do. Practice how I want to perform. Practice―and get better at―the things that are important to me. Make a practice of healthy and beneficial habits and routines.

The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest. ~Thomas Moore

It even follows quite naturally from last year's word which was Rhythm. When I chose that word last year, I said this: "I'm in the process of learning or re-learning the importance of scheduling and managing my time. I've never been all that good at it, but over the years I've found a few tricks to help me. I just need to use them!"

So I spent a year working on recognizing, establishing, and syncing the rhythms of my life the way it is now. There were plenty of hiccups along the way, but I learned a lot. Now it's time to put the things I learned into practice.

Last year told you what you needed to know. This year is go time! Happy New Year! ~Richie Norton

A couple days ago, I was listening to a podcast - not one that I usually listen to - and something they said struck me. We shouldn't be "trying" to accomplish things or reach goals, because having a mindset of "just trying" can set us up with a pre-packaged excuse if we fail. Instead we should reframe our work towards our goals as being "in training". Being in training recognizes that it's a process and that we won't be perfect or even good at something on our first day at it, but we are intentionally working towards proficiency and success and are committed to making progress towards that goal. To me, that fits with my choice to focus on Practice, and so I want to keep in mind that picture of training and consistent practice getting me closer to my goals.

Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day. ~Jim Rohn

I'm certainly not an athlete, so I'm not training and practicing at a sport or physical discipline, but I do have some goals for improving my health, like losing weight, as so many of us want to do starting with a new year. That piano in the photo is not mine, nor do I prepare for a piano recital or competition, but I do know a little something about the discipline of practicing as a musician, and I do have personal goals as a singer and pianist. My commitment to practice and training myself as a singer are important to the goals of the entire chorus as we prepare for competition.

As a Christ-follower, I must consider myself to be in training as I follow Jesus and practice living as his word teaches. I'm not just trying to be a better person. I'm a disciple in training. 

Today I will surrender to discipline. I realize that sometimes it takes time to see the fruits of my labors, yet I still need to practice discipline. Help me to remember, God, that I'm moving forward, and that I'm learning the very important art of discipline. ~Melody Beattie

For many of the years I was homeschooling, and for a couple of years after that, I chose a Scripture for the School Year just before classes started in the fall. (See the round-up of those verses here: School Scripture 2022-2023) I haven't done that for awhile, but I think a verse to go along with my WOTY would be helpful, and I think it will be this one from the Psalms:

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;

I will put them into practice with all my heart.

~Psalm 119:34~

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

~Jesus the Messiah, according to Matthew 7:24~

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable―if anything is excellent or praiseworthy―think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me―put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

~the Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:8-9~

This post will be linked at the WOTY 2025 link-up hosted by Deb's World, Women Living Well After 50, Retirement Reflections, and Joanne Tracey (on Substack).

This post will also be linked at the Sweet Tea & Friends Monthly Link-up Party hosted by Grace-Filled Moments

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email. 

©2006-2025 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/ 

 This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.