Word of the Year 2020 - LIGHT

In the ten years of selecting a Word of the Year, this has to be the one I struggled most in identifying  the perfect word for me.  Therein lies much of the problem.  Perfect. I had slipped into my old perfection mode, forcing the selection process by exploring my head; weighing and balancing like the double Libra that I am.  I intuitively knew I needed to let it flow from that place where truth resides; my heart and my gut and be mindful to what showed up around me. 

The word Light actually arose a good month before I began the process and my overthinking kept shoving it aside like a pesky little irritant to getting down to the real business of my word of the year ritual.  I was at lunch with a group of people and somehow the conversation turned to New Year’s resolutions.  I explained, “I stopped making them ten years ago and instead select a Word to guide my year.  Back then, the practice was barely known, whereas now days everyone has jumped on the band wagon, even Melinda Gates.”  I went on to say, “There are websites dedicated to helping you pick the word that resonates with you complete with quizzes, tests, and social media groups created to share your word.  Word of the Year is big business now.”  I went on, “Of course, I did not invent this practice, but, I sure feel like a pilgrim of sorts, an eleven year veteran now, helping to establish  the value in lightening the load of shame and feeling like a failure as inevitably broken resolutions and dreams lie scattered over the landscape at year’s end. Resolutions just aren't sustainable for most of us.  The word is so much easier and I always see positive growth and changes unfold as a result.   In fact, the serendipity of it all seems that my word leads me to the next plateau the following year, fully prepared to continue the work of growing my soul.”  “Huh, interesting, someone said, So, what is your word for 2020.”  Without hesitation, I blurted out, “Light.” Everyone looked as puzzled as I felt.  Just what DID that mean?  Light? I hadn't a clue. I shoved it aside.  

Maybe it should be Trust, I thought later.  I’ve struggled with that all year.  Or, Health?  God knows my attempts over the last five years have continually fallen short in sustaining a program of well-being.  Then I remembered progress not perfection and put away the switches.  At least I had been trying. Mindful popped up out of nowhere. I was a bit embarrassed to admit, I seem to prefer the mindless recently, junk television and an attention span of a toddler, just to dull the chaos of politics, negativity,fear, and the world around me this year.  

I kept coming back to that word, Light.  With every online quiz I took, every word cloud  layout I came across, even books or articles I was reading, there was that word, Light, boldly jumping up and down like an excited kindergartener shouting “pick me, pick me.”  

New Years Day a frustrated me, did sit in meditation.  As so often happens because I have yet to reach the level of Nirvana, a quote sort of did a French can-can kick-line across the back of my closed eyes.  I laughed out loud.  It was something I ALWAYS misquoted as a child and was subsequently chastised and corrected for.  Honestly, I thought my version was better, but never voiced that belief for fear of being struck dead and cast into the pit of hell, fire and brimstone. Who was I, a six year old girl, to reinterpret the Bible!  But I liked my version better and I still do.   

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light.  

Life was good, but so was Light! What's life if you are living in darkness and Light casts out darkness.  Light is where the Truth is found. Light reveals and Light is reality. Light is knowledge- as in enlightenment.  In Christianity we decorate with lights to symbolize Jesus as the light of the world.  The Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah uses the Menorah and other rituals to celebrate the miracle of lights and hope.  In Buddhism it is the spiritual and divine, light and intelligence. It is the sun and the avenger of darkness.

 It is universal.  

I am excited to see where this word takes me.  My mind has begun to whirl with all that could be gained by staying focused on the Light; seeing the divine truth of people, places and things. Being a light myself, even if it is only a flashlight.  Enough flashlights can enlighten the world.  Walking hand and hand with the one and only Light of the World and making decisions that will bring more light into my life and others.  But, it’ s not my job to finagle how the Word will play out in 2020.  It is my job to keep my Word front and center and let it guide me into a new decade, and new year, a fresh beginning.  

Bring it 2020!  Boom! You Light up my life. 

Word of the Year 2019 - ATTUNE

Here we are nearing the end of January of a brand new year and I've finally just made a final selection of my guiding word for 2019. ATTUNE, It's defined as follows:

Attune: to bring into harmony, to make aware or responsive, adjust or accustom.  Derived from the word, tune which is bringing into the proper pitch.  

 I've engaged in this word of the year practice for awhile now, and every year my word mystically has guided me into situations, changes, and challenges that have helped to expand this still flawed, old soul.  I've changed in ways that have enhanced the quality of my life and felt guided by a mysterious mentor who led me to whatever word I needed that year in order to move to another level of becoming a grown-up spirit.  My incessant questions about who I am, what makes for a satisfying life, and, how can I get me one of the those, lead the search for the word.  It usually starts out a month or so before the year's end. I engage in some serious soul searching and  list words that drift into my head, or maybe I see a pattern with a particular word, or sometimes it shows up, repeatedly, almost like a spiritual slap up the side of my head.   Someone also suggested years ago, the best way to find your word is to ask the question, "How do I want to feel in the next year?" Free?  Creative? Motivated? Blossoming? Transformed?  I find myself, especially this year, becoming less ambitious, in a nurturing way, and the demands I place on myself seem  more laissez faire. That feels like a good thing.  However, I do have a deep desire to continue to become that version of me that God already sees. I think that takes building a deeper relationship with Him and those Higher Angels,  building understanding and being in concert with that Higher Mind as it pertains to my life.  I want those answers that guide my choices, ethics, and demeanor, to live and easily arise from a place of effortless intuition; in proper pitch with the Creator of the Universe who will  open my eyes on a daily basis (if I let Him) to Its perfection, and teaches me how to live in harmony with it, no matter what script is playing out.   

I recognized, at the very least it would take a lot of work to develop such a relationship - plenty of quiet time, reflection, meditation, prayer, study, yoga, nature and a myriad of other tools to practice being present and paying attention. I have been doing many of these things, intermittently. But, part-time isn't committing to a relationship, nor does it really build trust.   Trust isn't a strong suit of mine to begin with.  

This word just might be my most challenging.  Attune. 

It took me so long to wrap my arms around this powerful word of the year for 2019.  It is intimidating and I could be in for a real joy ride. What if I ask the question and the message gets scrambled?  What if the direction I am to take is uncharted territory? What if the change is too hard?  What if I get some kind of vicarious pleasure out of a bad habit? Taking up residence at my intuitive center, is like moving to a foreign country.  Language might be a barrier.  On the flip side, what's wrong with learning a new language? And, uncharted territory in my experience has often produced the sweetest fruits.  

Who knows how the year will end?  I am trying not to have any expectations, and just concentrate on attuning myself to the unlimited source of a harmonious life and letting go of how I think that ought to look. We'll talk again at the end of the year.