Debbie Swindell

I’ve only sometimes chosen a word for the year. However, I decided on the word cultivate for 2024. Cultivating is intentional, on purpose; it is an act we do (not something that happens to us). Gardeners cultivate. I have a friend who is a professional gardener, and she is already flipping through seed catalogs with next year’s garden in mind. The definitions from Oxford Languages are as follows:

1. prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening.”the peasants who cultivated the land became its owners”
2. break up (soil) in preparation for sowing or planting. “damp, well-cultivated soil”
3. raise or grow (plants), especially on a large scale for commercial purposes. “they were encouraged to cultivate basic food crops”
4. Biology grow or maintain (living cells or tissue) in culture.”blood cells that can be most easily cultivated are macrophages”
5. try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill). “he cultivated an air of indifference”
6. try to win the friendship or favor of (someone). “it helps if you go out of your way to cultivate the local people”
7. apply oneself to improving or developing (one’s mind or manners).

As I share my word with you, I ponder how I might apply. Here are a few examples of where my mind is going: joy, contentment, growth, kindness, and gratitude. The possibilities are endless. But the one application I plan to place as a priority is cultivating relationships. It’s true that I “know” many people, but I desire to grow those relationships. First, their roots must deepen. To achieve success will require intentionality. I must cultivate.

Jot down my word for 2024 and pay attention to how I use cultivate in the new year. I will watch for your word for 2024. Share in comments.