so, my friends, do you ever choose a word of the year? a word to focus on and help inspire you? if you haven’t embarked on this soul-searching, visioning, intention-setting journey, then i highly recommend it. and, if you have, then i invite you to join me again.
it is truly an inspiring and grounding thing to do. i highly encourage you to seek that word that seems to just well up from within you. if you slow down and listen just a bit, you will feel it + hear it. there is one there. in all of us. just waiting for us to let it unfold and inspire you all year long.
it can be a passive word or an active word. something that helps you to slow down + focus inwardly or something that forces you outward + gives you energy. and, when you settle your soul just a bit, then you will know which kind of word is best for your upcoming year.
if you’re curious about and interested in this process, then i have a little mini-workshop for you. all it takes is a few intentional minutes set aside today and tomorrow for digging deep and listening softly. and, i guarantee that, in the end your soul will share with you a vision for your 2016.
here’s your chance to discover your word for 2016, if you want. we’ve got 2 days before the new year begins. so, we’ve got plenty of time. let’s get started!
find your word: part one
today we are going to envision our 2016, make a list of possible words + let them sink into us.
// get quiet. find a quiet space alone for about 30 minutes. light a candle + grab a glass of your favorite drink. get ready to open your heart and set some intentions. be open. listen. breathe deep.
// create your vision. imagine how you want 2016 to look, what you want to be + do. think about your dreams and goals and wishes for the new year. write it all down, if you want. or make a collage. doodle. create. brainstorm and dream away…
// inward or outward. based on your thoughts from above, decide if you feel that 2016 is a year to focus on slowing down and looking inward or if it is a year to be more active and social and putting yourself out there.
// take note. look over the lists of words below and notice 2 or 3 that seem to stand out at you. use them as a starting point to kind of get in the groove. don’t think about it or analyze it. go with your gut. remember, these are only a few words that are suggestions to get you thinking. use them, or pay attention to others that seem to pop up. just let them come to you.
// write it down. note on paper or in a journal any word that pops into your mind. gather about 3-5 possible words and let them sit there on the page. then, close your journal or put way the piece of paper. leave it alone and come back to it tomorrow.
examples of passive words:
nurture, be, rest, peace, spirit, heart, soul, magic, truth, light, calm, meditate, grounded, centered, breathe, simplicity, slow living, meaningful, zen, balance, honesty, love
examples of active words:
motivate, energy, focus, radiate, soar, grow, strength, change, flow, direction, create, travel, love, compassion, explore, brave, proclaim, manifest, balance, trust, freedom, bliss
tomorrow, i will lead you to make your final choice for your word for 2016. try not to stress about it. trust that your soul already knows exactly what you need. there can be no “wrong” word. however it appears or follows you throughout your year will be just how it needs to be. some years my word has changed throughout the year. some years it has felt just perfect. and some years, like this one, my word (empowered) has literally manifested and become real in my life.
now, go and let the words just roll around in your head. give them over to your heart. and move on to something else. tomorrow we will narrow it down and the perfect word (which may not even be one of the ones you chose to write down) will emerge. trust yourself. everything you need is already within you.
light + love + inspiration, my friends. xoxo
come back tomorrow to finalize your word, if you haven’t already. and i’ll also have some tips on how to keep your word with you throughout the year. you know, cause it’s so freaking easy to just forget about it. am i right?!
there was one word which came really easily to me, peace. I’ve done this before but have trouble keeping it with me all year, any tips?
Oh, what a wonderful word! It sounds like it was absolutely meant to be. I do have a few suggestions and I will be sharing them in tomorrow’s post. 🙂 But, I can highly recommend setting up a Pinterest board (if you use/like Pinterest) for your word and pin away images, quotes, anything that reminds you of peace. I am on Pinterest briefly every day, so every time I have pinned something to my “empowered” board, I have been reminded of my focus. More to come tomorrow! 🙂
I’m going to do this. Very curious about which word will find me!
Fabulous! I cannot wait to hear what word finds you too! xoxo
Do I need some beads and a little green chia pet to do this?
Girl, you are mean!! 🙂 If you think that the beads and chia pet will help, by all means, go for it! 😉
I am looking forward to doing this – I’m ready! That’s an action word isn’t it?? 😉
Hahaha!! I do believe that it is! 🙂 So glad you are joining in!
As I was reading the post the first word that jumped to me was peace. It was interesting to see another commenter chose that word too. Then a couple other words really jumped too from your examples and not from your examples: honesty, love, and detached. One goal I have that has been stronger this year than ever and it’s pretty much impossible to achieve is: “desirelessness”.
That is very interesting. So many are searching for peace, an inner peace and strength that empowers and enlightens. And, I’d say that peace comes, in part, from non-attachment, accepting, and surrendering.Learning to live with the belief that “it is what it is”. Not in a passive way, but in an accepting, equalizing, stabling way, where, no matter what happens or is happening, one is secure, stable, strong, and at peace on the inside. That, is what I believe that peace is. And “desirelessness”, or non-attachment, is simply knowing that we have all that we need within.
Your comment inspired some major thoughts on my part. 🙂 Hang on for the next post and take with you all of the words that you mentioned here. One of them will emerge as the one that your soul wants. xo
“surrendering” is another great word. That is what I try to do with my faith in God. Looking forward to the next post 🙂
I love this idea, Mani, and it was interesting to read your comment, I usually think of this idea as “freedom from” desire/attachment/need but peace is perfect because it is the goal. Good luck with whatever word you choose, and I wish you a peaceful 2016.
Yes! The word “free” had come to mind too but I couldn’t make it work. I think you explained it right. Peace IS perfect, because like you said it is the goal and we may find through the other words. 🙂 I wish you a peaceful 2016 as well.
I’m torn between two words, so I might take time to do your exercise. Your posts lately have been especially helpful to me. Through your messages about being present in each moment, I’ve found the courage (liberally spiked with fear) to face some things that needed facing, and to start to deal with them. It’s absolutely terrifying. So – thank you!
I am so humbled that my posts have been speaking to you lately. What a brave and fierce woman you are… it is so hard to really look at the present moment sometimes. But, in doing that, we are able to harness some inner power and wisdom that lead us out and into a whole new way of being and living. I am sending you continued courage and peace! The next post will help you pin down which word just might be exactly what you need to keep moving forward. Love to you. xoxo
Hi Liz
My word for the year is happiness. 🙂
I think it fits. It will be a nice focus for the day and year.
Good and healing thoughts to you.
Kate
Dear Kate, that is a perfect word. So simple and complex at the same time. I look forward to hearing and following more of your journey towards happiness. Happy New Year to yous! xoxo