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Friday, December 31, 2010

My Word for 2011

I didn’t have “a word” for 2010. I was introduced to the idea then, but it just didn’t click. This year, it seems to fit more…but in true Lisa fashion, I didn’t really think about it until now.

The last night of 2010. Nothing like a little pressure.

Honestly, I’d thrown around a couple of words. But in realizing I only have a few hours left, I’ve been searching Thesauruses (Thesauri??), cheating by looking at others’ words, meditating in hopes I’d have an epiphany, and gazing into my crystal ball. (Ok, maybe not the last one. But wouldn’t that be cool??)

I felt the pressure to find the right word. After all, it’s going to carry me through an entire year! What if I picked a word and then on January 2nd I think of a MUCH better one, like some perfect comeback that pops in your head two hours after the argument is over…what a failure I’d be! (*snicker*)

To my lovely sisters in the Tribe, I had offered “Dharma”. It had struck something in me. Seemed broad enough. Pretty unique. But it had only plucked one string…not played a chord.

***

Of course, the answer was the hat on my head that I’d turned the house upside-down to find. Right here. What has been floating around LifeUnity the past few weeks? What have I said it all begins with? (Quiz time – you get a happy face sticker if you guess correctly)


Awareness.

It all begins with awareness.

There are reasons I want to not use this word.

  1. You’ve already heard it. It feels like giving a big drum roll and then opening the 2-story red velvet curtain to reveal…….canned spam. Eh. 
  2.  It is “my word”. The biggie. The one that is already changing everything. How can that be a word of the year – just one year? What happens when 2012 rolls around? Can I use “awareness-est”
  3. It scares me. Honestly. To commit to this is committing to you (and more importantly, to myself), to LIVE this word. 

And while I can get over the fact that the big moment might have been a let-down (this doesn’t usually happen, promise!), and have faith that I’ll find an equally exciting word on Dec. 31st, 2011, that last reason is a stumper.

Living awareness means being constantly aware – of who I am and how I am consequently acting based off of that awareness. It means knowing my phenomenal self and taking responsibility for that self. 


It means that when I’m fighting with hubby and I’m aware that I’m turning into psycho-wife or that he may just be right (if it happens to be 1 of the 999 times that he is), I have to acknowledge that. Out loud. Yeah. Bet the thought of that scares you too.

Or if I read or see something that no longer harmonizes with my song (for example, business techniques that just feel…dehumanizing), being aware of my discomfort and not charging right along with the crowd. No matter how many thousands of people are dancing to the other music.

There are so many more situations I can think of to use as examples, but I’m getting a bit queasy thinking about them. Right here, right now, I’m shaking it off and moving into awareness.


So there you are. My word – my practice - for 2011: Awareness.


I will continue to blog about how this manifests in my life, how it ties in with Yoga and Buddhism and art and running and parenting and shaving and belly blob. I will probably become more adamant about you becoming more aware as well. (I love you and all, but I selfishly don’t want to constantly bump into a whole bunch of sleepwalkers.)

And we’ll continue our journey together, scratching out the 2010 for the next few weeks on documents as we forget our mindful awareness.


In full awareness and with wishes for many beautiful days ahead,


Namaste and Happy New Year.

11 comments:

  1. i love your word. But what I love more is your explanation and description of what that word will mean for you. :)
    Lisa

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  2. Beautiful Lisa! I love it. Mindfulness is the word I always go back to and since I so often fail, I'm embarking on a "project" to keep me aware*in the moment* mindful - A Year of Mindfulness for 2011! Blessings!

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  3. Do you know what my word was for 2010?

    Trust.

    Yes, trust. I had to go back into my blog and check because I completely forgot. I'm sure when 2012 crawls into the picture I will still have to check the archives for the word I have chosen now.

    But...trust is exactly what 2010 was all about for me--and when I chose this world I literally imagined myself throwing it into the belly of the Universe and calling it a day. That then takes all the pressure off of me to have to live up to anything or commit to something. It's just a word--right?!?! Instead, my life naturally became an expression of this great intention--via the help of the Universe, of course.

    So don't be afraid of a little ol' word Lisa....I bet you will be amazed this time next year how awareness and you infused together one helluva year!!

    (Is it ok to say helluva when you're talking about awarneness?!?!?)

    BIG Hugs & Lots of LOVE!!!

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  4. Perfection! I cannot think of a better intention for the year if not one's life!

    And I want to applaud you for getting this up so early in the day ... I checked in this morning before heading to my salt mines - I mean, my Sketchbook Project (which has taken on the character of a 80 hour a week job in order to finish it!) ... and I am inspired by how present you always seem to me and how you seem to allow yourself the space to try things out, dropping the notion of ought to and should and reaffirming again and again your center. I ramble here ... but I hope you get my gist ... I hang on when I should let go and embrace what calls to me ...

    I am so excited to move into a new year with you by my side painting away! Lots of love to you1

    xo your yoga & tribe sista!

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  5. Wonderful post Lisa - awareness is a great word for you! I am working on my goals for the upcoming year right now and need to connect with a word as well. Also need to search out last year's word. Looks like I still have 6 hours here.

    Happy New Year!

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  6. I never had a word before for New Year! LOL I only heard about it about a week ago - and so I chose "grow." Which necessitates awareness, I think. :) Thank you for all you have given this year - what great gifts you have provided us all. Wishing you and yours an enchanting and prosperous New Year! Theresa

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  7. There's no time like the present to choose your word of the year! And so congratulations on living a Year of Awareness for 2011... I can't think of a better choice than that.

    A few years ago, during a particularly challenging and emotionally painful period in my life, I was doing a whole lot of meditation practice and staying aware through all the upheaval. I remember toward the end of that time feeling great -- not as in a "Now I'm happy" way, but as in "Now I'm awake." That was the first time I learned that there is no substitute for an awakened life.

    Being aware and awake doesn't guarantee that all the hard stuff goes away, but I believe that it does guarantee that you'll relate to it in an entirely different way, a very liberating way.

    Look forward to hearing how the year unfolds for you!

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  8. I chose "awareness" for 2009. By the end of February I had to change it because it was overwhelming for me to be sooooooo aware of everything all the time.
    For 2010 I took a couple of weeks in January and chose "listen". It was perfect for me at that time.
    For 2011, I´m still listening for the new word. :)

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  9. “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” ~Mary Oliver

    Happy 2011. :)

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  10. I love being aware and embracing whatever life brings. Even if it is a fight with the duggles. Because it all comes down to communication.
    You are a beautiful communicator and I'm glad that blogland intertwines our lives! You inspire me.
    XO, Cheryl

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  11. Perfect word Lisa! Last year, my word was "fearless". Then later I stumbled into the Fearless Painting Tribe...wowser. That wasn't the only synchronicity, of course...but one you totally get. Can't wait to see what "awareness" will come to mean for you this year.

    My word for this year is "mystery".....mmmmmm good!

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