It is time for the March One Word 2026 Link-up

Lisa has tasked each of us to get resourceful with our one word by looking more closely at the word itself.

Just a few minutes with a dictionary and a thesaurus might open up something new. She is always delighted at the fresh things she discovers with this experiment.

I have to admit that I look forward to it each year as well.

Here’s how:

🔎 Step 1: Define it

Look up your word in the dictionary.
Are there multiple meanings?
Which one fits your year best?
Anything surprise you?

🟢 Step 2: Same as

Find a few synonyms.
If you had to choose a “backup word,” what would it be?
What does that reveal?

❌ Step 3: Opposite of

Look up antonyms.
Sometimes seeing what your word isn’t brings clarity.
What stands out among the opposites?

<><><><><><><><><><>

SO HERE GOES…

🔎 Step 1: Define it

I had no idea that the simple word, STAY had so many definitions! I have already come across many of them (or versions of them) in the first three months of this year. CLICK HERE to see the journey that I have been on. I don’t have a favorite; I am just enjoying the ride.

to spend some time in a place, in a situation, with a person or group, etc

to continue to be as specified, as to condition or state

to hold out or endure, as in a contest or task

to keep up, as with a competitor

to stop or halt

to pause or wait, as for a moment, before proceeding or continuing; linger or tarry

to cease or desist

to stand firm

to hold back, detain, or restrain, as from going further

to suspend or delay (actions, proceedings, etc.)

to appease or satisfy temporarily the cravings of (the stomach, appetite, etc)

to remain through or during (a period of time)

to remain to the end of; remain beyond

to await

the act of stopping or being stopped

a stop, halt, or pause; a standstill

a sojourn or temporary residence

a stoppage or arrest of action; suspension of a judicial proceeding

staying power; endurance

something used to support or steady a thing; prop; brace.

a flat strip of steel, plastic, etc., used especially for stiffening corsets, collars, etc.

a long rod running between opposite walls, heads, or sides of a furnace, boiler, tank, or the like, to strengthen them against internal pressures

a corset

🟢 Step 2: Same as

I decided to make a chart because there are so many interesting words to choose from.

❌ Step 3: Opposite of

And then there are the antonyms. This list, in addition to the ones above have my mind swimming with possibilities.

I’m not sure what God has in store for the rest of 2026, but I do know that He had a plan when He gave me STAY as my WOTY, and I trust Him to guide the journey.

So for now I will, “Trust in the Lord with all [my] heart and lean not on [my] own understanding; in all [my] ways submit to Him, and He will make [my] paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV