Embrace, my word for 2025
A few days ago I found myself reflecting on how I’ve grown more willing to embrace the imperfections in objects, actions, people and circumstances. Accepting flaws has been my life-long struggle but as I am getting older, I find it a little bit easier to accept the faulty side of things.
As I need to deepen this practice of acceptance and the word EMBRACE speaks to me loudly these days, I nominated it to become my word for the year 2025.
I chose this word once before, back in 2017, but then it was about embracing myself – who I am and who I’m not. This time it’s directed outward, toward the imperfections around me. Sure, it is connected, but it adds a different perspective so I guess it’s a valid choice to stay with.
“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.”
― Alice Walker
Imperfection may not always be negative, just natural. Then we are invited not just to withstand it but to find its hidden beauty.
Look at the wooden bird figures I’ve come across recently. Real characters and I loved them the moment I laid eyes on them, despite the cracked wood and faded colours. Or perhaps because of that? The imperfect can easily become the unique…
Truth be told, other times it’s not easy to put up with imperfection, especially when it brings more work and confusion or spoils something important. So let me be clear – I do not intend to celebrate imperfection per se.
There’s an important distinction between embracing something and admiring it. To embrace is to accept with understanding, to make peace with what is. It doesn’t mean we have to love every flaw or stop seeking improvement where it matters.
Embracing imperfection can lead to a more peaceful and fulfilling life, it’s as simple as that. There is so much to experience and learn in this world – why waste precious time wrestling with what we cannot change and letting unnecessary stress drain our energy when we can choose better ways?
EMBRACE, my word for 2025.
