I’m not much for following trends. For several years now, I’ve seen friends and strangers choose a word at the beginning of each year that will define or act as a theme for their year. Last week on social media, I noticed several people sharing their word for the year and asking others for their one particular word. So the trend is still alive.

I don’t think a single word can define me for an entire year, but maybe I’ve been looking at it all wrong and should instead think of it as a word that could inspire and challenge me through the year ahead.

On my last day in Raleigh in 2014, I walked through a downtown neighborhood and snapped photos with my cell phone to help me remember that rapidly changing corner of the city. I came across a house whose owner wanted to inspire passersby: Continue reading →