It should be no surprise to me that the word that came for 2013 is cadence, given my instinctive response to the finale of Les Mis… a cadence that reverberates in my heart, that stirs this deep longing and a desire to join the crusade beyond the barricade.
Cadence is about rhythm, flow of language, inflection of the voice and creating affect. It can be a drum line or percussion-led tempo, even a chant that beckons a marching band forward. Cadence is measured time in beats, the number of revolutions on the crank set in cycling. Cadence carries connotations of movement, determined direction and disciplined practice till the end is reached.
A good cadence keeps you going. It compels you to move with the rhythm and march onwards. A cadence can inspire you when your tiring, help you keep time as step and beat combine into motion, hold an upbeat tempo even when your emotions might be dipping.
I need to embrace a strong, steady and smooth cadence to move forward toward the things I want to lay hold of this year. I want a cadence to propel me forward, incite some needed discipline and keep my activity measured and directed so that there are some results. Cadence makes me think that while determined, this march forward is not all drudgery and I can expect some soaring song along the way.
So I will find my writing cadence. I will find my writing voice. I will measure in time and words and chapters and other less tangible markers of progress.
Maybe I will find a fresh cadence in my parenting or reading or culinary exploits or… who knows! But I am going to move forward with a spirited cadence in 2013 so that progress can be made (I hope)!
Oh I love this. Ugh, I hear you on needing discipline and directed activity. I feel like I’ve been all over the place and we are really working on trying to get our life better ordered and scheduled so we can be more productive this year. It’s so frustrating though when you throw kids into the mix!!!
What a great word! Beautiful. I look forward to walking it out with you, my friend.
Great word (I was having fun guessing while the browser came up – “Freedom?” “Overcoming?” “Crusade?” 😉 Keep writing, keep sharing, keep being honest in 2013…
Crusade…love it! But this year it’s moving forward with robust cadence…
Kelley Nikondeha – most likely to pick a word who meaning I have no clue to… 😉
Once I understood it, I loved it! My husband Rasmus has been reading a business book called Good to Great and keeps reading parts out to me. He lectured to me yesterday on the importance of “slow and steady” in business, of moving forward with an eye on the horizon but in a measured march. I was reminded of that when I read your word. I’m looking forward to see how Cadence impacts you.
What a wonderful way to “meet” you, Kelley; I decided to thumb through all the Deeper Story writers to get to know those to whom I haven’t yet been introduced.
I LOVE YOUR WORD; you’ve painted a fantastic portrait of “cadence” (and it almost makes me wish I had chosen it as well 😉 ). I’m sure your intention toward cadence will become reality, just by how enthused you are.
Oh, I love this. Especially as a former marching band geek who love, love, loved the cadences. We had all sorts of joyful dances, complete with collective grunts and shouts. This word elicits so much joy for me.