I've mentioned in previous posts (Refocusing, A New Year, A New Word) that I've been doing a word of the year for a few years.
Last year's word was "focus." Before I realized the word, I had set several goals. As the year went on, some of those goals changed and some were removed completely. By the end of the year, I was generally more focused on the things that mattered to me.
So, what is 2018's word?
Simplify.
We, as people, tend to needlessly complicate things.
In programming, less is generally better. Less code is easier to read, maintain, and debug.
In the church, we put too much emphasis on programs, buildings, production, etc. Yet Jesus made it incredibly simple (don't mistake simple for shallow) - love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
Complication also comes through the stuff we gather. Minimalists follow the idea that if something (a material possession) doesn't have a purpose, then get rid of it.
Simplify.
Less is more, in so many ways.
Less distractions, more focus.
Less material possessions, more financial freedom.
Less on the calendar, more time for relationships.
Less time wasted, more time meaningfully used.
Simplify.