In my mid-twenties, I was in a workshop at a conference where we were asked to come up with one word that described our mission and then follow that with a sentence that explained it.
Voice. I said. It was my first succinct explanation of what I was finding to be my vocation.
What was my point in life? To help people get at their own voices so that they could express themselves and act from an authentic place. Sometimes I could instigate that by using my own voice. Often times, I accomplished my mission by listening, questioning, suggesting.
Years later, I still think my mission is rooted in voice. But, now, each year, I like to think about a word that is my mission for the year. Last year, my mission was peace. It was such a hectic year, but, in the midst of the madness of being a new parent and of helping Circle de Luz thrive amidst regular life stuff, I wanted to be peaceful in my heart and mind. I’ve been thinking a bit about what my word will be in 2010. A good bit of personal care went by the wayside last year because it was the easiest thing to give in the something’s gotta give category of new parenting (and the chronic sleepness of the year didn’t help), and I’d like to return to some semblance of wellness, health, balance this year. So, this year’s word and focus? Wellness. It’s amazing how hard healthiness is to attain and how easy it is to lose.
What does a word for the year have to do with self-awareness, self-esteem, and a positive body image? I find that having a focus, an intention, reminds me that I am the keeper of my fate. I can make my life happen. And knowing that we make our lives happen, that we are the keepers of our fate, is the cornerstone of healthy esteem and realized self-awareness. And health esteem and realized self-awareness allow us to control our body image, not to have false images or ideas control us.
So, when you think about what you are about this year, what word comes to mind? Leave an answer here this week (by the end of the day Saturday, January 23) and you’ll be entered in a drawing for an Hijas book and an Ethiopian shawl (two winners) .
Oh, I just did a post on this for my own blog. My word for this year is: faith. I’ve had a very blessed few years, and now I find myself constantly waiting for things to go wrong — the other shoe to drop, so to speak. No way to live life. So this year I want to have faith — not that everything will always go well, but that I will find the resilience in myself and through the support of family and friends to respond to the challenges that do arise.
Wellness is a great thing to strive for — great choice, Rosie.
RECLAMATION -” the conversion of wasteland into land suitable for use of habitation or cultivation.”
After 5.5 years of full time parenting, I am in reclamation mode . . .for me and for my little loves. 🙂
Acceptance. Of myself and others.
Appreciate is my word for the year, so that I can learn to honor my time and myself.