Word of the Year 2014

Every year, different organizations announce their word of the year. For Oxford Dictionaries, it's vape. For Merriam-Webster Online, it's culture. For the Global Language Monitor, it's not exactly a word. It's the heart emoji for 2014. In the Philippines, selfie was declared word of the year during the Sawikaan 2014. I thought it would have been hugot.

One word sums up my 2014. TRUST. Big word.

As a kid, trust is when I am able to tell someone a secret and no one else will know about it. As a teenager, it's from being able to walk with blindfolds on while someone walks me through a path to knowing that a friend is loyal and knows how to keep his word.

This year, the roller coaster of a year that it is, the meaning of the word is more emotional than logical. It's exposing my vulnerabilities to others and enabling them to take advantage of it, but knowing confidently they won't do it. It's knowing that someone will never hurt you on purpose, believing that someone has your best interest at heart. Trust is selfless. It's looking past yourself and caring for the other person's needs. 

I once read of a story of a little girl and her father who were crossing a bridge. The father was scared so he asked his daughter, "Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river." The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand." "What's the difference?", asked the father. 

"There's a big difference," replied the girl. "If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

As I say goodbye to 2014, I thank all those who held my hand and did not let go. Happy New Year!