word of the year 2016

Since 2009 I have been choosing one word to guide me throughout the year.  One word {or phrase} that I can tuck into my pocket as a reminder of the direction I want to go.  Sometimes the word chooses me and other times it takes a bit of digging to determine what that word will be.  The one thing that always remains the same is that the word unfolds in ways I never dreamed of and takes me places that I really needed to go.  

My previous words have been:

2015 - Connection
2014 – Build
2013 – All the Cards on the Table
2012 – Soar
2011 – Love
2010 – Connect
2009 - Wings

I thought I had my word for 2016 all figured out.  I was even journaling about it the other day.  But as I sat down to write this post another word came up and I can't seem to shake it.  

My first choice was a phrase :: Daring Greatly.  To me this means standing in the arena, taking risk's, being seen, being afraid of failing but trying anyway, standing in my power, showing the world who I am, going after what is in my heart, speaking up, and letting my light shine bright.  
At this moment in my life this feels like exactly what I need to do.  I have worked hard to get to this point.  I have pushed myself.  I have learned who I am and what I want.  I have discovered my inner strengths and have made my way out of the shadows.  I am ready and prepared to be in the arena and let my light shine.

These words have been percolating inside of me since first reading the below quote:  

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

In order to make great things happen I must take the risk and understand that it might not work out.  I must try even when I am scared.  I must put in the effort.  There is no magic fairy want that will make things happen for me.  I have to do the work.  I have to dare greatly.  

It is time to shine.  To step outside of my comfort zone.  I do not want to live small.  I want to make an impact.  I want to show up, reach, and learn.  I want to inspire others to do the same.  I want to seek out adventure and live more intentionally.  I want to live big!  

As I write this now I see that my secondary word fits in perfectly with "daring greatly".  This word is "gather".  Deep in my heart I feel a call to gather in person with women.  To break bread, share stories, allow ourselves to be seen.  Shifts happen when women come together.  Hearts open, love pours fourth, and we are able to see our inner beauty and learn how to shine our light.

I know deep in my heart that this type of work is powerful, necessary, and life changing.  When we learn to love who we are and take time to work through our old stories and inner daemons the world opens up to us.  Our heart shifts, happiness flows through, and we learn how to seek out the good and appreciate the moments.  

In order to lead a gathering I need to dare greatly and take the risk.  I need to put it out there and trust that individuals will be called to it.  I need to be willing to fail and open to the possibility that it could be better than I even expected.  I must take the chance.    

I have never chosen two separate words as my word of the year, but there is no reason why I can't.  So I am jumping in and going for it.  This year my words are:

Daring Greatly & Gather

How about you?  Do you choose a word each year?  If so, what is it?  I would love to hear about it in the comments below.  

visioning into 2016

Creating a vision board is one of my many self care practices.  It is this cutting and pasting that I slow down and become more centered.  Day to day life tends to have me running at a quick pace but when I sit down in front a stack of magazines my energy shifts and I am ready to explore.  

When I sat down to create this vision board I had the intention and focus of 2016 and how I want it to look and feel for me.  What came together on the paper surprised me.  There was more than one image of a beach and  women gathered together.  A long table inviting others to sit, break bread, and share their stories.  Beautiful exploration.  And an invitation to change your story and enjoy the ride.  

Everything about this vision board feels comforting and aligned.  I know that I want to dig deeper into connection; not just through the computer but in person as well.  It is time to step away from the screen and see each others faces.   The beach is my sacred space.  It heals me and fills me up.  And finding the magic and sparkle in my own backyard is something I am really looking forward to as we continue to take steps towards building.  

This vision board is a road map for me.  Inspiring me to take those steps forward, step out of my comfort zone, and leap!  I have chosen to hang it in my kitchen so that I can look at it every single say.  I want to be reminded of the dreams I have in my heart so that I can take the small steps in making them come true.  

Have you ever created a vision board?   They are really simple to do.  Grab a stack of magazines, any ones will do.  Set an intention for what you want to vision.  Then flip through the magazines and cut out the images and words that are aligned with that intention.  Do not labor over each image, let your heart do the deciding.  Some things may surprise you but go with it.  Once you have all of your images cut out, past them down onto a pieces of paper and hang it up where you can see it each day.  This visual reminder will help you set your wheels in motion.  Go ahead .... see what dreams emerge for you!  

happy wishes

Sending you wishes of love and light  and we inch closer and closer to a brand new year.  Thank you for being here with me on this journey.  I am grateful for this community and the love and light you shine on me.  I enjoy sharing my moments here and it is a comfort to know that you are on the other side of the screen.  

I have big dreams for 2016 and one of them involves connecting deeper with you.  I want to hear your stories, see your faces, and give you a giant hug.  It is these connections that push us further and help us along on our journey.  Without them we are lost.  For it is love that get's us through, always.  

As the year comes to a close I look forward to spending it with family.  Sharing memories and keeping the light of my mom burning bright.  I know she will be looking down on all of us.  

I wish each of you love and light as you make your own plans for how you want 2016 to look and feel.  Dig deep into your heart and know that your inner light is there and the world wants to see you shine.  Now is a chance to write the story you always dreamed of.  Pick up the pen and write away.  

Love Notes Postcard Project is back!

The Love Notes Postcard project is back for it's first installment for 2016 and I cannot wait to begin.  We start on January 10th!  Are you ready to say yes, click HERE to sign up.  Not sure, read below for more information.    

Is your mailbox feeling lonely?  
Have you only been receiving bills and mailers?  
Do you long for a little handwritten bit of sunshine to surprise you?  

Look no further than the Love Notes Postcard Project

This FREE  project only requires:

• Three postcards
• Three stamps
• And an open heart

Next round begins January 10th

Here's how it works:

• You will get paired up with another participant
• Each Sunday for three weeks (beginning January 10th) a writing prompt will arrive in your email box
• Simply respond to the writing prompt on your postcard and drop it in the mail before Thursday
• Keep a look out in your mailbox for a postcard from your partner
   

That's right, simple and fun!  Click HERE to sign up.  

Pop on over to the Love Notes Postcard Facebook Page to say hello and check out below for some of the postcards sent in previous rounds on Instagram #lovenotesjb

connections help us through

As the year is coming to a close I have intentionally slowed down.  I am taking inventory of all that has happened and savoring the beautiful moments that made me smile.  I am so grateful for connection.  For friends, family, and love that keeps me moving.  They come in close, hold my hand, listen deeply, and let me know that I am seen and heard.  It is these connections that help me get through during the darker moments.  

2015 felt like a whirlwind.  I can barely remember the beginning of the year and anything that happened before May.  It is as if my year began the day my mom was rushed to the hospital because she was having trouble breathing.  We had no idea what was going on and thought that maybe it was just some symptoms from the radiation she was going through.  Then the words "the cancer has spread to the liver and lungs and it's stage four" were spoken and life as I knew it changed forever.  

My focused shifted to spending as much time as I could with her.  I wanted to do anything and everything I could to make her a little more comfortable and see her smile.  Downloading movies, buying pajamas, washing her hair.  I would have done anything.  I am grateful for those moments we got to spend together and will cherish them deeply.  Our connection and bond strengthened in those moments and we both felt how deeply we love one another.  

Outside of that hospital room I tried hard to hold it together but there were moments when I would crumble.  There were no words to be said, just tears that fell. In those moments Dustin pulled me in close and held me tightly.  He got me tissues and told me stories when I just wanted to get my mind off of it.  This deep connection helped me through.  

I still have no idea how to live this life without my mom.  I miss her every single day.  I never expected this to happen at this point in my life and it still feels like it isn't real.  I am grateful for the deep connection with my family that my mom instilled in me.  She taught how important it is to stay close, to spend time with one another, and to show up when people need you.  My family has done that with me and our connection has grown even deeper.  

Life is about the connections.  It is about being with one another.  Sharing our hearts, being vulnerable, and showing up. We need to hold hands with one another.  Shower love upon each other.  Listen when others speak and be there.  That is what get's me through and I am so grateful for all of it.  

you are destine for greatness

Know that you are life is destine for greatness
You are meant to do things
You are meant to shine
Open your arms up to the possibilities
Open your heart to the tribe that surrounds you
Share your dreams
Reach out for support
Take a risk
Be prepared to fly, because you will
Know where you may want to go
When the opportunity comes knocking, take it
Do not be afraid
Bu if you are, give those fear a voice
Set them free
Live the wild, creative life you are meant to live
Because you, yes YOU
Are destine for greatness