I’m excited about this new year. Maybe it’s because 2018 ended with an almost violent reset. A relationship I knew wasn’t forever ended suddenly. Maybe because my continued quest to “just be” has become more second nature with practice. Or perhaps it’s because I have an ongoing commitment to hope and possibility. Maybe it’s an intuitive knowing.
In rereading my challenges for us for 2017 (Dream) and 2018 (And a year begins), I wonder how I could have been so wise. And still, at the beginning of this year, I enter with positive uncertainty (yes, this can be true) and excitement. I did dream. And I didn’t have concrete expectations, or, in other words, put limits on, how those dreams should appear. (You might want to reread those posts too!)
The BOOK isn’t published, but has acquired a new urgency and importance as to how it could be useful to others. It’s written. I’m currently reviewing and doing a bit of rewriting. Plus, an expansion suddenly appeared reflecting how the ideas in the book are presented. Working on it has become fun, although sometimes challenging.
I did get to Hawaii, the first planned bucket list item I’ve done in years. So, somehow one can plan and “just be” at the same time, which is a skill I’m slowly learning. One buys the tickets or makes the plan — but you know that action is separate from the trip or the event. If it happens, it happens. For example, when I was ill at the end of 2016, I had to cancel two plane trips, but wasn’t penalized at all for doing so. Last year, I bought tickets for an event before my relationship ended and I wound up going to the concert with a completely unexpected someone for a supportive and gentle, and unplanned, afternoon.
On Spirit Moxie’s Facebook page (where there are suddenly thousands of likes thanks to some great social media coaching), I asked, “what word or phrase are you claiming to guide and support you” for 2019? Perhaps this is one of the more common “don’t make resolutions” ideas. Friends on other sites are using words for 2019 like “success” as theirs. But my true challenge to you is more systemic. What word will pull you when you’re feeling depressed? What will remind you of who you are deep in your heart at your very best? What word can encompass the feelings your dreams elicit?
Danielle LaPorte created something called The Desire Map which has you discover what feelings feed and support you, the feelings that confirm you’ve had a fabulous day. Mine — but remember these aren’t yours — are “adventurous, creative, connected and light.” I thought living as “just being” would change them, but they haven’t. You might want to discover your words. But even if you don’t use her resource think about it. How do you want to feel? Be as specific as possible.
And join me in entering 2019 with positive expectations. We are claiming little things that can change the world, remember? Hope opens up the possibility for those expectations to appear.
So, what worlds or phrase will support you? And us.
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All photos by Spirit Moxie – from the top:
2019 – sidewalk art
Waikiki Beach at sunset
Facebook post – photo of Richardson Bay, California