"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"
--Mary Oliver
My word for 2012:
brave
(even when my stomach clenches at the thought. even when timidity is so much safer. even when my heart pounds into my throat and i want to hide in the corner. 'cause being brave? singing my own song? sharing my gifts with the world + inviting others to do the same? oh, honey, it's so worth the risk)
[ awesome blog post by Messy Canvas to help carry your word through 2012: What Do I Do With My Word? ]
"Begin doing what you want to do now. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like a snowflake." --Marie Ray
My intentions for 2012:
[ intend: design with a particular purpose . . . to direct the eyes, the mind . . . to set one's course . . . ]
Specific, practical goals are fabulous and helpful--but what if we began with heart instead of head? This year I'm setting heart-intentions first, head-intentions later (using those heart principles to inform the head actions).
First, I renew the resolve of my last birthday,
believing this will be the year:
for courage,
for pulling airy-fairy dreams into solid reality,
for asking for help without feeling weak,
for laughing easily,
for believing my voice is important,
for building and strengthening relationships,
for honest and open and true communication,
for action instead of inaction,
for embracing the perfectly imperfect,
for eating healthy, colorful, fresh food,
for letting art echo my heart,
for experimenting and testing and trying,
for seeing, really seeing the world,
for helping others see the beauty I do,
for faith instead of fear,
for yes instead of no,
for going all-in instead of holding back . . .
but most of all,
for gratitude, for heart-deep thanks
every day, every hour, every minute,
thanking God for this glorious life
and everything I have learned
and everything yet to learn,
for every joy already received
and all those yet to come.
***
this year, I intend to . . .
+ let go, let Love
+ celebrate five-minute glories (stealing moments like sunsets, self-care, first snows, points of connection)
+ grumble less, praise more; fear less, trust more; grieve less, joy more
+ follow the motto of my marriage, with my husband and in everything: live now, laugh often, love always
+ move with intention and joy, exercising body and soul
+ deepen, broaden, strengthen spirituality: delight in my connection to the Divine in the everyday (not just Sunday morning or in deep need)
+ take small, manageable steps (with an occasional wild leap of faith)
+ be an agent of love, letting nerves melt in the light of this question: how can I bless you?
[ totally generous free printable workbook from Susannah Conway: Unravelling the Year Ahead ]
[ bonus free printable from me: 2012 intentions worksheet ]
(my worksheet)
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." --Joseph Campbell
Wanna share your word for 2012? Your intentions? I'd love to hear! Please share your thoughts in the comment section or any related blog, Flickr, etc. posts in the widget here:
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Join me Thursday for a celebration of gratitude (and pssst, remember that giveaway coming up on Saturday, along with more freebies both days) and another chance to share!
Sprout is OUT! Sprout, my new online magazine, strives to uplift and inspire by cultivating color, beauty, and meaning in our daily lives. Issue 1 asks: what would happen if we faced every day with a spirit of celebration? Click here to visit Sprout's home base.
5 colorful comments:
I love this: "but most of all, for gratitude, for heart-deep thanks
every day, every hour, every minute,
thanking God for this glorious life
and everything I have learned
and everything yet to learn,
for every joy already received
and all those yet to come."
Yes, this requires bravery, this kind of gratitude and faith. I am so excited to see where this takes you. <3
Have you read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp? If not, I HIGHLY recommend it. You can check out her blog at wwww.aholyexperience.com
Thanks, Beth! So glad my words touched you. Next year shimmers with possibility. It's gonna be good--I know it.
How interesting that you mentioned One Thousand Gifts. I just came across her website a few days ago and filed it away for future reference. I'll be sure to move it to the top of my list. Thank you!
Wonderful wonderful post, Amanda. You have revved my engine. Loved your links--I copied out the thoughts on what to do with your word, and am printing out the workbook. Also loved the links to your past blog posts, in your comments today.
My word: S P A R K L E ! ! ! (That came bubbling out of me after another one of your blog posts . . or maybe it was Issue #2 of Sprout--I know it was SOMEthing you wrote that inspired me!)
I love your word....brave.
It suits you:)
You've already been so brave
....you're carrying that torch
bright and strong.
I can't wait to see where it takes you
and I'm honored to follow alongside
and cheer you on!
Love and grace, brave girl,
Jennifer
(posted my link but don't think it worked. My word for the year: dresses)
Brave is a fantastic word! Thank you for this beautiful (as always) post. My word for the year is Progression. Becoming a better Me without attaching to specific goals (like a certain number on the scale or finishing a race in a certain time). That doesn't mean I can't set some Intentions though...will work on those too. Thanks so much for the prompt. Happy 2012!! xx
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