I have lost my way in exploring WAY.
What I mean is this: WAY is my word of the year, yet I have been neglecting it. Not noticing it lurking around me. Ignoring its rich meanings and life lessons for this point in my journey.
The word of the year practice for me has in the past been rewarding and insightful and a connecting point with the Lord. I value this practice yet… “Way” sits on the shelf, waiting patiently for me to wake up and hear its call.
How do we restart a spiritual practice what has laid dormant?
Prayerfully thinking about this question, I decided to start small.
WAY still resonated with me and seemed to have more lessons for me, so I decided to stay with this word. Since I enjoy playing with words maybe having some fun with WAY would be the first step.
What phrases contain the word WAY?
WAY PHRASES
Too many to list all of them. Here are a few that stood out for me:
• The Way, the Truth and the Life
• And that’s the way it is (A catchphrase from Walter Cronkite)
• Any way the wind blows
• Any way you slice it
• By the way
• By way of explanation
• Couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag
• Crying all the way to the bank
• In a bad way
• In a big way
• In a way
• In harm’s way
• In the family way
• It’s a long way to Tipperary
• Rub up the wrong way
• See which way the cat jumps
• See you way clear
• Take the easy way out
• That’s the way the ball bounces
• That’s the way the cookie crumbles
• Where there’s a will there’s a way
• There is more than one way to skin a cat
Okay, I had to stop. So many phrases with WAY in them. Some serious. Some brought smiles to my heart. The pages just kept going on with more and more ideas.
What did this practice show me? I am far from being done with my word of year yet. WAY is alive and full of possibilities.
My prayer now is to be more attentive, to listen and hunt for my word every day and to take the time to sit with this word and be curious about its lessons.
Paying attention.
Listening.
Be curious.
Good practices for all of us every day. A good WAY to live.
How do you keep your spiritual practice fresh?
I love all these phrases you found with Way. It’s obviously a very diverse word! I hope that it shows up for you in fresh “ways” this month, Jean (I didn’t even mean to do that! ha). I’m sure it will.
This process helped me get back to my word. I played around the thought of changing the word or trying a new one but WAY seemed to still have life for me so I am sticking with it. Your monthly prompts and posts really help me stay on track.
Jean, I love what you said about starting small. I think this is the secret to resurrecting or beginning new projects, ideas, tasks. Whatever.
Being kind and gracious to ourselves as we pick an interest or commitment or calling once again is the icing on the cake.
Sheer grace.
Happy Saturday, dear one.
I think when I focus on only starting one tiny step, I keep focusing on the guilt and procrastination of not doing something and take some action. Yes yes grace is the icing!!
I really like what you’ve done with Way here. What a great idea. You may have had a difficult start with your word up until now, but you just might find yourself on a roll.
Visiting today from Lisa’s
Thanks Paula. I had to restart someplace as this word still called to me. It is quieter than other words I have had so I need to listen more deeply too. Good lesson there.
I think the best way to pick up a spiritual practice that has fallen by the wayside is just to start again! God “knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14 HCSB). Like any good parent, he forgives our lapses, and takes pleasure in our redetermination toward knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual maturity. Kudos, Jean, for starting again–you’re off and RUNNING with that long list!
But starting once again can be hard. I find once I start though it flows….
so true, Barb. I think your word – stay/sustain – will help me move forward too. Thanks
You may have been a bit lax in the early months of this year, but you seem to be on the right track now. I matters not how fast or slow we go, as long as we keep moving forward.
Visiting from One Word 2026 – May