My friend Shannon chooses an inspirational word every year that she focuses on. As she’s mentioned on her blog, ”That word became a foundation upon which to make decisions and plans, and to focus on when things got rough.” I want to participate in choosing a mantra for 2012. It didn’t take long for me to think about my word for 2012. I was thinking about how life is… full of Ups and Downs. I want to focus on the Ups. 2012 is all about the word UP.

Up feels like the right word for this year. During the end of this year, I received a few holiday cards that mentioned very positive words about the year 2012. A lot of my friends mentioned how it’s going to be a great year, a better year, a successful year, a healthier year. All the positive vibes seem to have passed through everyone before the year even started. The idea behind UP is simple: find ways to look towards the positive. Let the petty things go so you can focus on the awesomeness of what you have right in front of you. Screw how many calories are in that wonderful gooey goodness from Taco Bell, you can always run an extra mile later. Don’t hold a grudge when your partner makes you mad, think about all the things that he’s done that has made you so happy! Be like the dog from the movie UP (SQUIRREL!) and love, unconditionally. BRING IT 2012!

I want to commit this year to heading UP. If I fall, I get back UP. There’s no where to go, but UP! And when the going gets tough, you can tell people, “UP YOURS!”