Here we are today, another year past, a new present moment, and a brand-new year ahead!
A year ago, I shared a blog article and holiday email called The Gift of Grace and Presence, highlighting the relevance of those two words.
Words are powerful.
Words can make us laugh or cry. They can heal, hurt, offer hope or crush us. Whether consciously or unconsciously, the words we choose can allow us to fulfill our deepest desires and also be the very thing that holds us back. The words we choose with ourselves and others matter.
When we attach meaning to words and words to our experience, they become our Reality.
My Reality (then)
Distracted is defined "as having one's thoughts or attention drawn away: unable to concentrate or give attention to something."
Growing up, "easily distracted" was commonplace on my report cards. As I grew older and the world, responsibilities, and opportunities became more abundant and complex, my inability to focus would lead to agitation and thoughts of inadequacy. Understandably, these thoughts would exacerbate my ability to focus on the task at hand, impacting my growth. Labeled as a character flaw, "I am easily distracted. "
My Reality (now)
Today I understand and embrace my uniqueness. The clarity of what matters most to me (my values) and the awareness that the same gifts, strengths, and aspects I have come to love most about myself can also be the source of challenges—so profound a discovery.
I love to collaborate, learn, experience, and create new things, and amid all the newness, I inspire easily. I feel a lot, and ideas flow freely and regularly. In the past, it all felt like too much, whereas today, I embrace it all as so much. So much possibility and opportunity!
A few years back, my word was "focus," which led me to practice and create tools and strategies to optimize my strengths and gifts in anything I was doing and building one step at a time.
Last year I chose two words, grace and presence.
Grace is like the love of God covering me like a warm blanket that acknowledged all I felt while allowing me space to feel, explore, and understand with acceptance and love instead of judgment or shame.
Presence inspired the truth of what was happening each moment, allowing me to understand, learn, and choose how best to move forward. And this year?
Well, I've narrowed my 2023 words down to 3 today: Simplicity, Nourishment, and Peace, and you know what? I am keeping all three.
Reflecting on this past year and visioning what's ahead with questions included in my newest fillable reflection journal will help you to know yourself more while empowering you with all that you are and need to live and experience life fully in 2023.
With Love, and Possibilities,
Marilyn ox
