Hello Friends, let’s talk about the power of words. What do you want more of in your life? If you could wake up each day and feel more of ____________, what would it be? Here’s what comes to mind for me: Freedom.
Abundance.
Joy.
Patience.
Presence.
Peace.
These words represented what I wanted more of in my life. So, they were actual words for the year that I chose when I needed it most. ABUNDANCE was a word I focused on when I started my coaching practice. ENJOY was the word I chose the following year because of all that abundance brought. I wanted to enjoy it all and not fear growth. See what I mean? I chose words that I needed to guide me. Because it did two things to help me participate intentionally in my growth throughout the year. First, it made me anticipate it and look for it everywhere—which helped my faith. Second, it helped me grow it in a specific area where I was hungry and needy. But many people ask me how I select my word for the year.
So, here are four important questions I reflect on at the end of each year:
You see, I know myself. With the amount of curiosity and creativity I hold, I have a hard time staying focused on any ONE thing. There are too many shiny new things to distract me. Yet I know how important it is to slow down and keep it simple to cultivate your inner world. I need a good guide. A word or phrase keeps it simple.
Focusing on one word at a time allows me to resist the pulls of daily life, and it’s how I meditate.
It’s my breath prayer for what I know my heart, mind, and spirit need.
For instance, when I selected the word Patience for the year, it was a transformational guide. Oftentimes when people heard I had selected this word, they would say, “Be careful – God will give you many opportunities to practice this and it won’t be fun.” Honestly, I found the reverse to be true. Patience taught me how to love myself and those around me better. My day-to-day living became kinder, slower, and more enjoyable. It transformed the way I viewed others and the way I treated myself.
Intuitively, I knew I needed more patience and the depth it had to teach me was a gift. Spending a year in PATIENCE was the kindest act I could do for myself.
I became more accepting. More present, peaceful, and loving. All because I learned to slow down and allow patience to be my teacher.
That’s the power of words
Choosing a word for the year has been a powerful practice that helps me stay more present and look for the opportunities that life offers to teach us. And when we stay curious, we learn. And when we learn, we grow.
So, what are you focusing on? What is pulling on your heart?
I’d love to hear from you. Reply to this post with your word for the year, and let me know so I can stand with you. I will share mine with you in next week’s podcast.
Cheering you on!