A One Word Resolution!

Dear Dream Weavers,

What a year 2020 has been! One of the best gifts I gave myself was a one word resolution. At the start of every New Year, I spend time in reflection while I appreciate the gifts I received. Sometimes those gifts appear in the form a new idea, an inspiration, a new connection with another beautiful soul, or sometimes it is an actual physical gift. This year was no different. My one word made a world of difference in a year full of new words and labels.

What’s the Word?

Every year, I begin with a single word. It’s like dropping an anchor and knowing I will have something to tether me as I navigate a vast new ocean. I was excited to begin 2020 with “clear vision”, more clarity of mind, and my word for the year…

Honor

to be true, honest, fair, respectful of another’s worth; hold in high regard and have integrity for one’s own beliefs and actions; to tune in and listen to your inner wise self and trust

I wasn’t exactly sure why this particular word showed up on the last days of the old year, but it did, and I did just that… I honored it.

Change Your Thoughts… Change Your Life

Swiftly, I sealed the word in my journal and wrote it at the top of every page of affirmations during the coming months. I’d love to say I did my affirmations every day, but I didn’t. I’d be happy to tell you I prayed and meditated each and every day, but I didn’t do that either. However, I did honor myself, and it turned out that this word was exactly what I needed to keep me afloat.

Trust the Vision

From the start, I spent time dreaming, so I had a “clear vision” for months to come. I created a Dream Seed, which is my version of a portable and power-packed vision board. I was newly certified to teach yoga and, early on, I was offered a job at place called Honor Yoga. Interestingly, I tuned in and honored my impulse to say no. In a matter of months, it was clear to me that saying no to teaching was saying yes to being home for my family as they transitioned from classroom and workplace to home school and home office. Additionally, I was free to honor some of my own creative impulses. In fact, one of my affirmations for the year included my word…

I make space every day for quiet reflection, and I honor my creative impulses, ideas, and intuition.

One night in early January, I had my laptop open to read a recipe while making dinner. Later, I saw a notification that there was an intention-setting support group happening at local yoga studio in an hour. I felt the nudge to join them that night. A few months later, the pandemic ended our in-person meetings. Eventually, we didn’t meet again. However, by honoring that time, I got to share my vision and, through that sharing out loud, I set some powerful intentions about what meant the most to me.

In the days and weeks and months to follow, I understood the value of choosing my word. I went for daily walks in nature and met new neighbors. I honored my family time and my desire to learn to make new vegan recipes. My daughter wished for a room makeover and my son prepared to begin college. I honored their dreams and offered my services. There were times when I honored everyone else and didn’t honor myself self and my own self-care. I felt it! But time and time again, I came back to my word, and it reminded me to honor my humanness. Even though I didn’t do things the way I would like, I knew in my heart I was doing the best I could do.

My Word led me on New Adventures…

I did eventually create some of my visions for the year. I planned out a sacred week to recreate my Love Letters book and upload it to a new platform. And I honored some things that I didn’t expect when I first mapped out my plan for the year.

I accepted an invitation from an old friend to make Spanish videos for her new online classroom. That alone was an adventure in learning new technology and rediscovering some of my gifts like teaching and singing. Eventually, it was a way for me to bless the experience and practice closure. It was another way to honor myself and others in 2020.

Finally, during this last month, I received another unexpected invitation although it was one I’d been hoping would someday happen in one form or another.

My Swing Choir from high school was meeting on Zoom for a Christmas sing along. I don’t know if it would have happened if we were not in this year of social distancing. However, I was so thrilled to be invited, and I was honored to connect with these old singing mates of mine.

Welcome the Magical Miracles…

During the call, when asked to sing solos, everyone chose a Christmas song or one they sang in high school. Something told me to honor the completely wild impulse to sing my original song, I Am a Dreamer. In that moment, I felt myself grow inside and out. I was bigger than my body. No matter what, I did it for me. It felt like a perfect ending to a year of Honor. Since then, I have received some amazing and heartfelt messages about all I shared during our meeting. A reminder to do what lights me up!

Over and over this quote came to mind, and it sums up what I felt all year during the pandemic, political debate, and social challenges…

“To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

All in all, I kept my soul alive in 2020! And the dreamer in me is looking forward to the start of a brand new year. If you have a word for your year and would like to share it, please reply. I’d be honored to hear from you. However, if you have never picked a word and would like to begin, I’d love to guide you with a few questions. Just send me a quick message.

In closing, it has been an honor to share my stories with you this year. I hope one or more of them has inspired you in some way. It is my joy to share, and I look forward a Shining New Year!

with Love,

Rosa

P.S. If you need a message for your soul today or maybe some inspiration to discover your word for the year, click here for my Daily Inspirational Quote and Affirmation