Collector of Words

What do you collect? I know people who are art collectors, people with marble collections, people who collect shells and gems, and many of us who collect people (family, friends, etc) and don’t let go. 

Every year I find myself being a collector of words. I ask the question, in one or two words, what is your intention for this new year? "What is your word for 5787?"

Some people automatically answer, seeming to already know their intention for the year. While others take their time to reflect and contemplate on their answer.

This year, I was in the first group of people. I thought I knew my word was BOLD and was ready to share it but something didn’t feel right. Being bold isn't always good, being bold can come off as brash, or ostentatious. So during Rosh Hashanah, while I was talking with my friend‘s mom,

I shared my struggle with her and she helped me realize a new depth for my word. Through discussions, with her and other friends Dara, Alex and Hooper, they all helped me understand how Holy Boldness aligns with my values and enriches my life.

Azut d'Kedusha עזות דקדושה, Holy Boldness.

Azut can mean boldness, audacity, courage, or inner strength. Yet if can have an opposite meaning too. 

Rebbe Nachman distinguishes between destructive brazenness, עזות פנים, and עזות דקדושה, holy boldness.

Rebbe Nachman teaches that we need this quality when something stands in the way of our spiritual life. 

Especially when fear, embarrassment, other people, or inner resistance prevent us from doing what we know is right, we need enough holy boldness to move through that resistance. 

He connects this with the teaching “Be bold as a leopard,” הוי עז כנמר.

Amalfi Coast, Italy Trip 2026

So dear reader,  "What is your intention for this new year, 5787? Your word?"

I invite you to take a minute and ask yourself...

    what am I  hoping for in this new year?  

        what word pops into my head when I’m quiet enough to listen?

Today is your day to think about what blessings you need for 5787. Write them down, share them with your crew, share with me.
Think of them as a your blessing. Your personal mantra as you go through this next year. 
Feel them when you are struggling, when you need some internal guidance, or even just while setting an intention for a yoga class.
They say, trying once is a start, twice is nice, but the third time is the charm (intention*), so I ask for a third time, “what is your word for 5787?"

If you need some inspiration, here are some words of intent  I have collected so far:

• Present

• Growth 

• Light 

• Healthy 

• Gratitude

• Breathe 

• Intention

• Foundations

• Holy Boldness 

• Flourish

• Growth

• Adulting 

• 
  

What are you adding to the collective? Share with me at 

withahava@gmail.com 

Text me if you have my number. 

I wish you and yours a Shana Tova, a Happy and Healthy 5787!

May we all be blessed with new ideas, hope and strength as well as taking on the vulnerabilities that come with living life to the fullest.

Be brave! Take Chances! Live Life!

As always, sending this with so much love/ ahava

שנה טובה 

Tamy 

 *Some say intention is when you answer for the third time. Maybe the first two times you said it by mistake, but three is the lucky number.