What if you chose a single sentence to inspire you for the coming months?
No, not a resolution. (Because resolutions are always about what isn't working.)
A motto.
A mantra.
A sentence to capture who you are and where you're going.
A road map from here to there.
There will always things we want more of.
More kindness, more patience, more gratitude.
More presence, more safety, more love.
And things we want less of.
Less anger, less fear, less loneliness.
Less worry, less bickering, less struggle.
More of this, less of that.
So let's say yes to what we're wanting.
Because we decide.
Starting now.
It's as easy as choosing a single word, sentence, or phrase that speaks to your soul.
Like…
Love More, Worry Less;
or
I choose joy;
or
Today is Everything.
Or perhaps…
The better it gets the better it gets;
or
I am blessed;
or
I am enough.
Anything goes.
Andy only you decide.
So right now – choose your phrase.
And write it down.
Write it on a post-it note and tape it to your dashboard.
Paint it on a piece of wood and hang it above your bed.
Scribble it on a scrap of paper and hide it in your wallet.
Anything.
But do it.
Right now.
And then?
Watch your life unfold.
One simple sentence can set your course.
So.
What do you choose?
A quote has been sticking with me as my mantra for the year. “Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing.” Mary Baker Eddy
It is all about the moments.
I have had one simple sentence for years. “Be here now” If I don’t say it out loud sometimes, I forget…and I’m already in the future or dwelling on the past and missing out on what is right in front of me, right now.
Did you choose one yet?
I didn’t choose a sentence, but I did choose a word: deeper. I want to delve Deeper into my relationships, focusing on specifics rather than generals, and become more aware of Who I am and Who God is!
I have been choosing a word for a couple years now. It feels so much more authentic to me than it did when I kept a list of all the things I’d never really do. This year my word is breathe. As someone who suffers from anxiety and recently stopped looking towards conventional medicine to help, this word I’m hoping, will allow my brain to remain a little more calm this year. Ahhh 🙂
I’m mulling one over. It’s similar to yours – “Today is everything. Be in it.” I want to cultivate more presence in my day-to-day. Blessings!
Lovely!
I love that I (and most everyone who reads this) will also be blessed by your word. Because I did it. A big, calming, deep breath. See? It’s already working.
Ours is “strength.” In all ways. Physical, emotional, our relationship, our finances, etc. We have spent the past few years getting to where we want to be, and now we need to strengthen our foundations so we can be the best we can be in this place.
I chose a word…play. I want to play with words, play with my camera, play in nature, play with my little man, play in the kitchen and in the garden. I want to play with life this year and enjoy every single moment of it.
Thanks Rachel, you are such a positive ray of light. I am always grateful for your words and photos.
Be Still….
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
― Neil Gaiman
“Does it have a soul?”. Last year, I read an article that has stuck with me daily. The mother/author lived in a one bedroom log cabin with no running water or electricity and nine children. She was having ‘one of THOSE days which for her included ashes from the stove spilled all over the floor and lugging water uphill in subzero temps and she started to complain in her head as a little one did something that was the equivalent of spilled milk when she caught herself. Is the thing I am wasting my time upset about inanimate? Does it have a soul? Will my attitude and carrying on about it negatively impact those in my house who do? She decided then to only allow herself to spend worry and energy on those that really matter. Because that milk could be wiped up and the soot could be swept, and the water could be lugged but it is much more difficult to heal a wounded soul. So mine is, “Does it have a soul?”
Last year I picked “I can do hard things”, but I haven’t picked for this year yet. These responses had been inspiring…
I think mine will be: Act/respond from a place of love.
“Be the light”
Take the high road…..
“Tomorrow may never come, for you and me life is not promised..” ~Mos Def
This line is always palying in my mind. A great reminder for myself. (Umi Says is the name of the song)
Play, yes I can see how that one word can create a joyful life.
May my thoughts, words, and actions serve the Highest Good.
Hmm, worth some thought. I believe I might pick, “It matters.”
I love the details of life, but sometimes wonder if it really makes a difference. I’m going to believe it does.
Thanks for the encouragement
I am joyful and well loved.
This captures everything I want and where I’m headed. Namaste.
Ooh… fun to see my friend Kristin here, too! (howdy Kristin!!) Rachel — I think I’m with you and Kristin… something to the order of “be here now” or “stay here, in the present.” “Choose Joy” has been a long-time motto — but I also love what Valerie suggests about responding from a place of love. (hmmm… having a tough time choosing one, here!)
Thanks for the thought provoking post…
xo
Great post. Mine came to me quickly:
I AM JOY!!
My word is Flourish, and for my family of five, it means Flourish the Five! We want to create a space where the five of us can flourish – my husband at work and with his sport, my oldest son with a new school, his sporting interests and his drawing skills, my daughter with making friends and being happy, my youngest son with thriving at kinder and playing at home, and for me, I want to flourish with my writing and parenting. We want to meet everyone’s needs for growth and stability. I am thinking that Flourishing the Five will mean boundary setting and being clear about what matters to us.
Warm wishes for everyone else’s words in 2014!
Karen