Last January, I took a before photo thinking I would be working on my fitness all year long, building up my physical strength (my guiding word for 2014), losing a bunch of weight, and showing off a completely new me by December.
None of that happened.
Here's what did happen and why I wholeheartedly believe in the power our words hold.
There were three occasions this year when I was called upon to be the strong one, so that my people could break down.
On a beach in Cape Cod when my Eileen called and I heard the panic in her voice I knew my little family would need me to hold them together.
I knew it a few weeks ago when my best friend called. I heard it in the tone of her voice when she said my name. She was unraveling and I, in whatever capacity I could, needed to be her strength.
There's been one more occasion and it involves my Angie. That's her story, but it required me to be the stability and and soft landing she needed.
Physically, I look the same as I did last January. Truth? I'm kind of liking how I look. Many moments presented themselves that allowed me to flex my courage muscles, and with that came a sort of confidence. My body may not be what the ideal says it should be, but I adorn it as if I were a queen.
Strength. It showed up for me in every form except for how I expected it to look like.
I'm feeling a mental clarity I haven't known in forever. I feel confident in all of my roles, and I feel strong inside of this soft, bulgy body.
This year, I abandoned all of my No's and allowed people take my photo. It was liberating.
Ladonna caught me on a day when my hands were painted with fresh henna. I was wearing a sky blue top (so NOT my usual). I gave her a few poses next to a tree:
I believe I chose the word strength intuitively with very simple visions of where it would carry me. I had no idea what I was in store for. Because a lot of my fears dissipated over the last year, I'm going bold with my word in 2015. I face things head on with my new found strength.
We will be exploring choosing guiding words for the year in my program, A Flame in the Frost, as well as why I believe in choosing companion words. If that feels like something you are into, registration for the course is still open. We begin December 28.
Also, I saw today that Susannah is offering (along with her gorgeous, year end workbook) a FREE, 5 day email class to help you in choosing your word. How cool is that? More on that here.
Words hold energy. Words hold power. This is a lesson I've learned so many times over, and one I'm sure I'll keep on learning.
Good night. More soon.
