Welcome to Tuesdays with Chel.
“i want to enter your sacred ground, to hold you in the depth of your spirit, to be surrounded by the mists of your soul and to soak in the essence of you. it’s a giving and a taking i honor quietly, solemnly. if your door is open, i am there.”
-Teri St. Cloud
There’s a little tradition that goes around blog-land called “One Little Word” (I believe it was started by Ali Edwards.)
It’s very simple- at the beginning of every year, instead of making a list of resolutions, you choose “one little word” that sort of encapsulates the direction you’d like to move in. You can make resolutions and goals within (and beyond) the scope of that word, but by having ONE word to focus on, rather than a list of specific resolutions, it becomes a lot more fulfilling to stick to.
I don’t know if you’ve ever taken part in this tradition or not, but this year as you think about and choose your word, I am going to suggest you choose not one, but *two* words. Choose a word that represents the resolutions and goals, but also choose a second word that is deeply personal and meaningful to you.
Something sacred and important to you, and to you only.
Something that fulfills you, that strengthens you, that brings you peace.
A word that is dedicated to *you*, to your joy, to your well-being, to your bliss.
Something that maybe scares you a little, or something unexamined that begs for attention.
I am encouraging you to choose a second word that you can gently open yourself to, to examine in your own quiet way and time.
Perhaps it can be a word that represents a personal quest or dream. Something that you can’t even begin to express. Something that seems a little daunting.
Just choose something for *yourself* this year. Beyond the goals to eat healthier, be more compassionate, connect more with other people, be a better friend/parent/spouse, etc. Something deeper, something that maybe doesn’t even make sense yet.
Just allow yourself a little time and space to look deep within and figure out that “one little word” that’s truly calling to you, beyond the pressures of your everyday life and responsibilities. Maybe it doesn’t even fit in with your current life.
Just allow that word to surface, hold it, and be open to it. See what happens if you just allow yourself to *acknowledge* it.
Happy New Year!
Chel Micheline is a mixed-media artist, curator, writer, and avid gardener/reader/swimmer who lives in Southwest Florida with her husband and daughter. When Chel’s not making art or pondering the Bliss Habits, she’s blogging at gingerblue.com (come say hi!) or posting new things in the gingerblue etsy shop.
Chel, what are your words?? I’ve chosen Vulnerability… and since you offer two I will also pick JOY!!!
I really love this idea, and am doing it for the first time this year! I especially like the idea of the theme of two words – to encapsulate the resolutions, and to embody a personal journey too. That makes a lot of sense to me! Thanks for the inspiration!!
I’ve always loved the idea of words or phrase to use as a focal for a new year! I often choose several words, often which overlap or compliment each other in some ways. This year my words are Presence, Play, Season and Simplicity. I hope to write more on my blog about these next week… but I’m excited to fine tune the year by being in more attendance to my daily doings, relationship, being a better steward of the Earth, playing more and living more deeply, richly with less. :o)