Y’all, I am having a time (and I know I’m not alone). Weeks ago, I came up with a list of upcoming posts to share here. For today, December 5th, the plan was to share (and to reveal to myself because I learn what I know deep down inside by writing) what my word for 2016 had ended up meaning and revealing to me.
If I had written that post right then, I would have had so much to share. But I didn’t. And then the world tilted and, now, I cannot help but think about the irony of trying to write about my word for the year while I feel what I currently feel given that my word for 2016 is/was
LIFT
lift/
verb
- 1. raise to a higher position or level.
I am not naïve enough to think we all think the same way or even that we need to think the same way, but I do know that we share a kindredness in some way because we have connected here. And while a month ago, when I thought about sharing what my 2016 intention of lift had offered and taught me, I was thinking about it in a deeply personal way, today, I am thinking about lift as a universal intention.
As I close 2016 with the utmost intention, here is how I plan to practice LIFT:
- I will remember that we are all here on purpose and let that truth keep me from deep despair.
- I will offer more love, especially when I am feeling unloving, unlovable, stingy, or a little self-righteous.
- I will wholeheartedly apologize when necessary, realizing that what the world needs less of is self-righteousness or blind spots.
- I will embrace the fact that I am a light in this world- every single one of us is- and I will choose to shine.
- I will work my hardest to go deeper when I don’t understand something or someone’s point of view. Can I ask the right questions that will lead me to see where they are coming from? Can I share with them in a way that allows them to see where I am coming from?
- I will hug more often and too long.
- I will believe in myself and know that what I want is accessible to me if I just reach a little bit higher. Sometimes, I may take a break from the reach but if it is still true to me after I rest, I understand that I have a responsibility to lift myself to that reality.
- I will believe in those around me and practice that belief by asking what it is they dream of and helping them to find a way to realize their vision.
- I will fuel my bravery, feeding it so much fire that it is bigger than my fear.
- I will check-in with those I care about to remind them that they are not alone and walk in company with them on their journey.
- I will take profound care of myself, knowing that a withered spirit cannot sustain a hopeful heart.
- I will remember that I am a creature of this Earth, every single one of us is, and honor that preciousness with how I show up in the world.
I will lift my spirit and the spirit of others as we collectively walk into the future we share.
Let’s join together.
I’m with you. And, I love this list. Today a friend and I were talking about how we can do what we do and make the world and the neighborhood and the school and the grocery store and all of it just a little bit better when it feels so hard right now. And what we know is this: it’s about connecting with one another. Saying thank you. Looking others in the eye. Shaking hands. Giving hugs. Being kind. Lifting each other up so that we can also be lifted. Remembering that everyone matters, everyone has a purpose here and that even in the very moment of despair there can be love and beauty and possibility. Thanks for this post. I’m with you. And your post has lifted me.
You just LIFTED me up at a very specific moment in time when I needed it. Thank you my friend for always being that light we all cherish and so desperately need!
I so love the deep (!) sense you are able to see in the word “lift”. The reflections you share with us so honestly, also sustain my own progression – and I guess not only mine! Your blog is really a great gift – YOU are a great gift to the world! Take care!