L i g h t
We are creatures of habit and often cling to old habits because they feel safe. Yoga teaches us to welcome the inevitability of change and to become aware of what isn’t working in our lives. When we’re attentive to our actions we’re not prisoners to our habits; we don’t need to do something today simply because we did it yesterday.
I’m not a resolution kinda person but in the spirit of change and shifting years from saying goodbye to 2021 and twirling into 2022, I certainly do appreciate the opportunity to take stock and evaluate things:
How am I doing? No, really. How am I, truly and deeply?
Are there any aspects of my life that need some shapeshifting - personally or professionally?
Is my lifestyle supporting my health goals?
Does my personal life - friends, creativity, spirituality - feel nourished?
Are my choices of this last year still in alignment with my heart?
So, while I tend to not set New Year Resolutions I do choose a word as my guide and intention for the year. By choosing a word instead of resolutions, my word of the year helps me to inspire me, keep me focused on visualizing the outcome of what I want to create with a focus on how I want to feel instead of getting weighed down by the details (of how, who, why, when) that tend to distract and doubt. You can't "break" a word like you can break a resolution.
The word (or words!) I choose is there to inspire me whenever I need it. Just like that friend who is always there for you. It might infuse its wisdom through every single day of 2022, it may be like the score of a movie whispering in the background or it may just surface in the moments when it’s needed the most.
Should you feel inspired to find your own Word of the Year, I use this process:
Write down a bunch of words that inspire me.
Reflect on the list and highlight the words that pop out of the page.
Journal about different aspects of my life - what’s working and what I want to create in all areas of my life: friends, family, health, spirituality, career, community, personal growth and creativity.
Do a meditation practice, yoga and go into nature with the intention of my word revealing itself to me.
Choose my word.
For 2022, my word is LIGHT.
After a heavy year (goodbye 2021!), I am focusing on light with the intention to bring more clarity and joy into both my heart, mind and mood. More play, less work. Focusing on brightness in my health and heart.
During dark times (um, kinda like a pandemic), I feel like my word LIGHT reminds me to turn towards the light and towards powerful awakenings. It’s like the soft glow of candlelight in a puddle of warmth that’s helping me through the tender moments of life. And, within the shine of the light, it’s also important to also activate strength. You know the saying, “the deeper the darkness, the brighter the light.” So, it takes strength and courage to step into our darkness - the unknown and the unfamiliar of both our inner and outer worlds - and to do the hard things. With a little lightness, as Glennon Doyle says, “we can do the hard things.”
A few questions I’ve been reflecting on:
What helps me align to my own light?
What have I been taking for granted and what might be a little different if I cared a little more?
What areas of myself and my life need more light?
What aspects of my personality need to shine brighter?
Wishing you all a year and heart full of brilliance.
Remember: Your Word is Your Wand.
Make some magic.