Did you know? The words you choose at the start of the year can shape how you approach your goals.
Psychologists say picking positive words (“keep trying”) instead of harsh ones (“don’t mess up”) can better motivate you toward your goals. At Gabriel Homes, staff turned motivation into action by choosing a word to guide their new year.
Painting at Pinot’s Palette Dulles
Gabriel Homes staff kicked off the year with a bright outlook during the One Word event hosted by former board member Leslie Kane at Pinot’s Palette. The paint and sip art studio welcomed guests from the community to paint a canvas featuring their chosen word that represented the new year. Many words at past events centered around growth or fresh starts, such as breathe, emergence, and release.
“My word, devotion, is a continuation from pivot, which I used last year. This year will focus more time and energy on my personal and professional pivots. I drew flowers in a vase to represent the devotion it takes to nurture flowers.”
Similar Themes, Unique Expressions
While the words had similar values, the canvases looked nothing alike. Program coordinator Naomi Pariona also leaned into nature when she painted patience draped over a forest in twilight. Assistant director Mariel Cedeño Edge used earth tones such as brown, mustard, and green, to evoke the strength of a tree trunk for her word, grounded.
“To me, the trunk connects foundation to growth. I look forward to channeling those two qualities throughout the year with our residents.”
Similar Themes, Unique Expressions
One Word also gave staff a chance to focus on their own creativity and think about their goals for the year. The staff’s canvases reflected their shared sense of purpose. Words like patience, impact, and forward showed the passion for their work and the care they take for themselves.
“Our guests are wonderful at expressing the best way to live their word choices in their art. The best way to make the One Word workshop your own is to let your creativity flow with your paint.”