Way has been my word of the year. As 2026 slowly draws to a close, I start to consider the practice. Do I want to continue? Has it been lifegiving? What possible word will emerge for 2027?
Way has been a quieter companion this year but one that did offer some lessons. Intentionally doing this practice forces me to pay attention to details along the way and be curious and listen more deeply to ideas and insights. Yes, choosing a word of the year is life-giving for me and pondering this as I write this, yes, I will continue to participate in this “way.”
Even though “way” hasn’t revealed a huge ah-ha moment, she has been a fun sidekick. I do enjoy playing with words and exploring their meanings. One blog post this year I wrote about a reader leaving me this comment, “When I first read your words, I thought you had chosen “yay”. Can you imagine what a journey that would be?”
“Yay way – doesn’t that lighten up a word? It’s like putting WAY in gigantic neon lights. We celebrate its existence in our life. When these two words combine, the height and power of WAY amplifies.
Yay way makes me smile.”
This led me onto the phrase No Way Jose! No way, Jose means ‘absolutely not!’
What an unexpected surprise.
Then later I considered the Milky Way – and its mind bogglingly existence. I wrote “Pondering ‘way’ as I ponder the Milky Way drenches me with wonder and astonishment. Its vastness and beauty surrounding and holding us humbles, amazes, and awakens me to the presence of God and the preciousness of life.”
Perhaps the best gift this word has given me is the reminder of the value of friendships and that the only way for me is the Way of God.
I have been thinking a lot lately about home and the longing for home in this earthly pilgrimage. Way led me to rediscover the word “Wayfarer.” Wayfarer is a word coming from the 15th century and means “one who passes through, traveler, pilgrim”. Someone on a journey.
Perfect image for me traveling alongside of this word WAY in 2026 as a companion, a fellow pilgrim on a journey of listening, exploring and learning. When I picture wayfarer, I see a seeker, a wanderer, someone who in curious and on a quest for something, Someone. Playing with this word gives me an identity in my walk with WAY.
So, what about 2027? Each year in November I start of list of potential words – words that pop out to me in my reading and listening. Words that shimmer. I already have more than 10 ideas on my paper. I will stay open till mid December or until it is apparent who will companion me next year. Perhaps they will shout, “pick me,” or will quietly whisper “maybe I am the one.”
The key is to this practice and really in all aspects of life:
- Paying attention.
- Listen.
- Be curious.
Good practices for all of us every day. A good WAY to live
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