L*O*V*E

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My word choose me

Before I even had a chance to think about it

It was right there

Waiting for me to declare it

I could not shake it

Even when I tried

The word felt right

Yet so wrong to say out loud

I come to this space

To share the truth of my story

To show my soul

And wear my heart on my sleeve

So I knew I had to be honest here

I knew I had to show up

With my word in the palm of my hands

Ready to show you all

So I am doing just that

Even though it feels bold to say

I am showing up

With my word in the palm of my hands

And sharing it with you all

My word for 2011 is

Love

I have come a long way on this journey through life

I never could have imagined that I would be here

It has been amazing traveling down these paths

I am so lucky for everything that I have encountered

I have grown

I have learned

And I have found myself during this journey

I am now ready

Ready to embrace love

To open up my world to that deeper connection

I am going into this year with my hands open

Facing forward

Ready to accept whatever comes my way

I am not afraid

I am open

~~~

The below quote by Brene Brown is how I approach love.  I have learned over the past few years that the only way to truly live is to allow myself to be seen for exactly who I am.  I am on this journey to show my most authentic self to the world.  In doing that I have been met with kindness, compassion, and understanding.  It has opened up the doors for connection on a deeper level.  And I need to connect on that deeper level.  It feeds my soul.  So when I think about love I think about it this way.

"when we let our most vulnerable selves and our most powerful selves be deeply seen and known.  and when that offering is met with respect and kindness and trust, that is what love is.

love is letting ourselves be deeply seen and known and then honoring the connection that happens between two people who are willing to do that with kindness and respect." ~ Brene Brown

~What is your word for 2011?  I would love for you to share it here or link me to your blog so that I can read what you choose. 

yet to speak it

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I sit here pondering what my word for 2011 will be

I can feel it

I can taste it

I can see it

I know what the word is

My problem is

I am afraid to say

The word seems to bold to speak out loud

To daring to choose for an entire year

So I am going to sit with it for another day

Let it settle deeply into me

Maybe tomorrow I will open up

And share what the word is

~ Have you chosen your word yet?  If so I would like to hear it if you are willing to share.

I can write

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I can write with the love that my family fills me up with

I can write with the pieces of forgiveness that make it easier to breathe in this world

I can write with my expansive heart

I can write with the sound of the ocean scooping up my fears and worries

I can write with the stars that carry my wishes and dreams until the moment they come true

I can write with the darkness that creeps in telling me that I am not good enough

I can write with the adventure that takes me places I have never seen

I can write with openness showing the world my heart and soul

I can write

connection

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I am reflecting on my word from 2010 ~ connection

It is amazing to see all the ways it has manifested itself

Without me even knowing it was hard at work

Connections with my family have grown deeper and stronger

Forming bonds between different individuals

Watching some push themselves to achieve their goal

Soaking in the sunshine at the beach

Vacations 

Art nights

Surprises

Coming together in a time of need

Games played and

laughter

shared

Memories made

Lemon crushes being poured

And just knowing that "if you play it, they will come"

My roots have also grown deeper with my tribe

Using all sorts of technology to stay connected

The little message that arrive in the palm of my hand

The card in the mailbox

Encouraging words and kind comments left

All of them lifting me up right when I need it most

Leaving me feeling seen for exactly who I am

Traveling to North Carolina and being

engulfed by love

All of it leaves my heart feeling full with joy

It continues to amaze me how we each support one another

I love watching it all unfold

Other individuals stood by my side and held my hand

Right when I needed it

An unexpected connection

A conversation that changed my life

Moments where I shared pieces of me

And they in turn opened up to share pieces of themselves

What a beautiful experience

I had unexpected adventures with friends

Watching them push themselves

Just a little bit further than they thought they could go

Laughing as

silly string

covered my apartment

Watching the beauty of

fireworks

light up the sky

Listening to one another over a cup of coffee

Dinner together

Backyard games

All sorts of fun shared

I learned a lot about myself in 2010

About what moves me

What makes me drag my feet and waste my time

I let go of things that I was holding onto in my heart

Things that were weighing me down and no longer served me

I forgave myself

And

shared

this story of forgiveness with the world

I also declared that just as I am in this very moment

I am enough

Even in January I knew I was

exactly where I needed to be

I feel a deeper connection to my heart and soul

And an inner confidence I did not have before

I soaked up the wave of weather that blesses the east coast

Walking in the snow

Being a

book fairy

Hiking in the woods

Traveling into nyc alone

Feeling the rays of sunshine as the sun kissed my skin

I got lost on my bicycle

Dug my feet into the sand

Found new places

Explored the area around me

Went off on an adventure to Philly

I spent a lot of time breathing in the fresh air

2010 has been a year of deep connection for me

Manifesting itself as I went out and lived life

Allowing me the opportunity to giggle in the rain

reflection

/

2010 is coming to a close

Take time to look back

On all the love that has surrounded you

The things that brought tears to your eyes

And the moments of your greatest triumphs

Even look at your deepest inner struggles

They all link together

Each a piece of your puzzle

Forming you

Whole and full

Reflect on it all

Embrace each memory

Be thankful 

For all that surrounds you

All that encompasses you

Life is a beautiful journey

Each day you take a step deeper into it