Each year I choose a word to tuck into my pocket and carry with me. A word I want to manifest, lean into, and experience more of. In December of 2019, I sat in a circle of women folding paper stars to tuck our words into. I wasn’t exactly sure what my word for the new year was so I kept folding. Kept listening to each woman share about their word and why they choose it.

Folding and listening there was one single word that was playing on repeat in my head. My word kept repeating itself inside me until I spoke it out loud. The word was:

LIGHT

Here is what I wrote inside my star on that December day.

Light. Growth. Strength. Divinity. Courage. Connection.

A year of allowing myself to shine brilliantly. To unleash what I have tucked away and share, connect. A time for bringing people in. Providing light and shining light. A time to step out of the hustle and bustle and into exactly what I am meant to be doing.

Abundance. Beauty. Joy. Kindness. Strength. Love.

Being seen as a Guide. A Community Cultivator. Creating the opportunity for others to experience their own divinity. To open up, begin again, and step into their authentic selves.

Create a place for community grace. Soul Circle. Coming together. Sharing. Guiding. Leading.

Shining my light and allowing other people space to shine their own brilliant light.

Being a lightworker in this world.

Reading what my intentions were last December tears fill my eyes for all that manifested in the most beautiful and unexpected ways. The hustle and bustle I was feeling in 2019 came to a halt when I began working from home at the end of March. No longer was I running from one thing to the next. I settled into new rhythms and routines, loving having the opportunity to slow down and not need to be anywhere except exactly where I was.

In a time of darkness for our country and the world, light poured out from my heart and into the places I stood. When the country was shutting down I was opening up my own little virtual space and inviting others into my room to write, to create, to move. I taught a countless number of classes online and met the most amazing, incredible souls. I am so grateful for technology and the way it gives us the ability to connect with others wherever they are.

I took leaps on things that I have been wanting to do for so long like starting the Soul Circle Community and hosting a podcast. The Community space has been a long, long time dream of mine. I am grateful for all the individuals who show up there and share their hearts. We all need a place we can land. A place we can turn to when things are rough, but also when they are really good and we want to celebrate. That is what Soul Circle is. A community space you can lean into as you navigate your journey through life. Because we aren’t meant to travel alone. If you haven’t joined us over there, hop on over and say hello. I have so many exciting things planned for 2021!

The Soul Circle Podcast was a total leap of faith. A way to challenge myself and use my voice. It is exciting and scary and something I am so glad I did because I am learning a ton. I look forward to how it evolves and iterates and can’t wait to be able to share interviews with you. You can listen wherever you like to listen to your favorite podcast.

I feel deep in my heart that I truly stepped into my LIGHT this year. Standing tall in who I am. Unearthing what it is I am meant to do in the world and then going for it. For so long I have been looking for myself. Trying to unearth who I am, what I believe, what I stand for, what my gifts are. And I know that will be a forever journey but I feel deep in my heart that I have finally found my way home. Home to myself. What a beautiful place to be.

I don’t know what the future has in store but even if for just today I am going to take a moment to celebrate all that I accomplished this year. All the chances I took, the way I navigated the unknown, the fumbles and failures, the success and connections. Building community. Sinking into love. Cultivating a stronger bond with Dustin. Watching my family come together when things got so hard. Being with my Father after his difficult journey. Laughter over Zoom. Witnessing my Girl Scouts smile, learn and connect with one another. Taking walks. Being outside.

2020 was a wild ride. One that tested me immensely but also gave me space to blossom and become. For that, I am incredibly grateful. I shined my LIGHT and encouraged others to do the same. 2020 a year of bringing the light in the darkness.

Now on to figuring out what my word will be for 2021!

Do you choose a word each year? If you do, share in the comments below what your word was and how it transpired this past year.