Alacrity

My aspiration for 2022, in one word:

Alacrity.

/əˈlæk·rɪ·t̬i/ brisk and cheerful readiness
“I accepted the invitation to 2022 with alacrity.”

I felt like I was just trying to keep my head above water for the past two years of the pandemic. Surviving, but not really thriving. I mean yeah, I did so much. There was definitely outward progress and inward growth. By most measures, I had some success. But is that really thriving if I don’t feel like I am?

And by surviving, I mean I’m just trying to get through each day, fulfilling my obligations and responsibilities, checking off my to-dos, making sure I eat properly, sleep enough. Just the essentials.

What does it mean to truly thrive?

Enter “alacrity”.

If surviving means pushing—dragging—myself to complete tasks, then thriving means being pulled forward by alacrity. That desire and delight of being caught ready and wanting, and happily moving ahead, fast. Not with a sense of urgency or dread, but in anticipation and hope.

It was hard to feel anticipation and hope the past two years.

But now I’m back. I’m ready for it.

I want to be ready for it.

With alacrity.