Word of the Year 2011: Year-End Report

In January, I announced that my Word of the Year for 2011 would be Courage.

With the year coming to an end,
it is time to report how the word has worked for me.

Using the definition from Merriam-Webster
"mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty"
I would say that this word was definitely a good word for 2011.

In 2011, I had to use courage to make some changes in my life.
The biggest use of courage was when I abandoned all the
what-if-it-goes-wrong anxieties
and jumped feet first into a financial plan
which resulted in all my debts being paid off.
How's that for courage?!

I also used courage this year to:

Start my weight loss journey.
Not letting my pain stop me from going for walks with my pup.
To take on a job as a poll clerk at the elections.
Be Team Captain for a Relay for Life Team in memory of my husband.
To start dating again.
(and courage just now to admit that!)
To go to Convention!
To babysit a little girl the same age mine should have been
(during the hardest month of the year, too)
To fight wasps all by myself!
To let a 14 year old deaf student move into my house.
To videotape a mouse instead of screeching and running away.
(okay so I screeched a bit too)
To speak in front of 100 people at the 5th annual Walk to Remember.
To take a big risk in hopes of solving my financial crisis
To sign up for my first-ever craft sale.
To talk a bit about my dream.

I also:

Pumped gas by myself for the first time.
Poured windshield fluid in my van for the first time.
Met with a counselor (a story for another time: I proved I was right)
Drove on the highway a few times. (courageous because I nod off while driving)

and much more!

While Courage may have been my Word of the Year, it doesn't mean it will end when the year does. As with my previous words, Survive and Thrive, the word Courage will carry over for the rest of my life.

Did you have a Word of the Year? How did that work out for you?

Previous WOTY:

2009 - Survive
2010 - Thrive

Check back next week to see what my Word of the Year for 2012 will be.
(any suggestions? I'm still narrowing down the options!)