I’ve recently come across a few different posts in which people having been choosing a ‘theme word’ for their life for 2019. Although I was intrigued by the idea, after pondering the possibilities for a few minutes, I figured I couldn’t possibly choose just one word. “Happiness?” Too broad. And it’s natural that we all want happiness every year. “Productivity?” Too work-based. “Money?” Too superficial. “Discipline?” No fun. It seemed every word was too limited to cover different aspects of my life. We find ourselves wishing for so many things, claiming we’ll stick to so many resolutions, and promising ourselves all kinds of dreamy results that deep down we may not have confidence in.
However, I found myself returning to the idea a few times more over the last week or so. So I kept ruminating. I wanted to find a word that felt like it was more specific to my recent past, current circumstances, and short-term future goals. But it needed to be one that could be applied in more than one aspect of my life. I thought of some things that had limited me in the recent past. I thought of how I was feeling currently and what I was missing/desiring. I thought of what types of things I’d like to see/have happen in the coming months. I finally found a word that fit: “ALLOW”. Too many things in my life felt limited or restricted. This word speaks of letting go, of opening up, of freedom, of moving forward and growing.
More specifically, these are the things I want to begin to “allow” (more of) this year:
• Allow myself to make self-care (personal, creative, free/down-time) a regular, scheduled priority.
• Allow myself to be open to receiving the positive results and success that I work hard to achieve.
• Allow things to be what they are (ie. don’t live in the past – it cannot be changed, don’t live in the future –it cannot be predicted or guaranteed, live in the present – take it as it comes, make the best of it, and accept the limits of what can be controlled).
• Allow other people to be who they choose to be, without attempting to judge, analyze or influence.
• Allow myself to trust and have faith in ‘the process’, know that things will unfold the way they need to, and that I will always handle each next step the best way possible as I come to it.
• Allow myself to let down my guard and accept imperfection – to release myself from perfectionistic and rigid thinking, habits and actions.
• Allow myself to take risks and accept the possibility of making mistakes.
• Allow for flexibility, spontaneity and adaptation – not everything can be planned or controlled nor should it be.
Do you have one or more intentions for 2019? Do you have a 'word'? Has this got you thinking? ~ Laura
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