Every December I spend the month reflecting on what I want to choose as my word of the year. In 2023, I picked COURAGEOUS. This was the year I published my first book. I didn’t face every fear, but I made strides toward living courageously in my everyday life. Having difficult conversations, attempting to move forward even when I wasn’t sure how to do so or how something would turn out. Publishing my book wasn’t smooth sailing as I had lots of challenges with my publisher. I had never done this before and at times I felt raw, exposed and lost. There were times when I wanted to throw in the towel and walk away from my lifelong dream. There are so many others in the world who have faced far more challenging situations than I did this year and I have learned that courage can only be measured by the one doing the thing, taking the step, making the move, using their voice, leaping ahead.
Stop and take a moment to reflect on areas you showed courage this year. I bet you will surprise yourself. Take note and celebrate your steps of bravery and your moments of not giving up.
It is my nature to ignore risk for the sake of comfort and ease, that’s why courage picked me last December. Can I have more courage in my life? Absolutely. And remembering that I will choose a new word.
The word comes after I ask the question, “what word must I choose?” I play with it in my mind, try it on for size and then it comes down to a gut decision. For 2024 I am going with ILLUMINATION. In 2017 it was AWAKE, 2018 WHOLENESS, TRUE the year after. In other years past: PEACE, FOCUS, PRESENCE and ROOTED.
For me a word guides, shapes, reminds and helps me to remember my intentions and to align with what matters most to my heart. I am not one to make New Year Resolutions. If the words I choose are anything close to a resolution I see them as a guide post–a direction I want to steer my energy, time, efforts and attention. Along with having a word as my focus for the year I am choosing to take a look at the relationships in my life. I am not just talking about people here. I have relationships with time, money, my phone, and other things you wouldn’t necessarily name as relationships, yet they take up lots of space in my brain and connection from my spirit. These areas in my life have lots of room for more LIGHT to get in. Growing to undertake. Discoveries to be made. I am taking the last couple days of the year to pinpoint the areas where I can expand, dive deeper and receive. Besides the relationships I mentioned and the people in my life there is service, my work in the world and some areas I haven’t even thought of, but I trust they will be brought to my attention in my intentional contemplation.
I have always loved LIGHT. It is the moonlight that reminds me that I live in a loving Universe and am not alone. The glow of a candle that acts as a prayer in the dark or when it is time to do something I value: write, meditate, have a meaningful conversation, celebrate, surrender, it is the symbol of embarking on something holy and sacred. Choosing this word, I have absolutely no idea what is ahead for me this year. My intention is that when I need courage I look to the light, trust and step forward. When I am lost, overwhelmed or off track I will remember there is light within me as well as the person standing on my path. Perhaps I will discover something new and life giving about myself, that is my hope and prayer.
What is your hope and prayer for 2024? Whatever you are going through, anticipate, or need guidance for, I send you light for your way. May the light in each of us, find each other. May we walk forward, out of the darkness toward what grows, heals, nurtures, inspires and holds us dearly.
Cheers, Jenny
