Every year since 2013 I have utilized the practice of setting Three Words to Live By at the start of each new year. The words chosen help shape the year to come and bring to me what I desire most. Last year my words were Poise, Ease & Delight. My intention was to live each day in gratitude, and stay balanced in peace and joy. While it seemed an oddly unspecific choice of words for a planner like me, it was exactly what I needed. And, I had the best year of just being me. At times, I was tempted to “do something more substantial” but I resisted those urges and stayed true to living in the moment and letting things come to me. As a result, I led a few art & other fun workshops, practiced a bit of reiki, provided some virtual meditations, taught many online yoga & movement classes, and most importantly enjoyed many peace filled moments in the woods & the sun. It was ease filled and fun, and not stressful at all. Just the way I wanted it to be.
This past year also brought many opportunities to spend time with my family and with those friends who’ve become family. I was able to go to the U.P. with my husband and two sons and we had the best time together as a family exploring waterfalls, hiking the woods, trying new breweries and playing cards together. It also uncovered a hidden desire of mine to hike more & explore the north country trail around my cottage. One of my talents, and primary love languages, is to bring people together around my table with food, drink & fun, and I took every opportunity I could to make this happen in 2024. To my delight many card games were played after sharing meals with the people I love. ♥
For 2025 I want more of the same. I want peace, health, ease, fun, abundance, joy and love. So the words I have chosen are intended to keep me on track with my current journey. I hope to gather people around my table, explore the abundant woods & trails around my cottage and up in the U.P., and continue to bloom into my best self. Embracing non doing does not mean we do not accomplish anything, it just means we are still enough to listen to our soul speak. Mine is telling me life does not have to be so hard, and my only job is to be happy, so remain open and take advantage of all the little moments of joy that come my way. I am truly blessed.
Gather — to bring together or assemble
Explore — to traverse or range over (a region, area, etc.) for the purpose of discovery; to look closely; scrutinize; examine
Bloom — to be in or achieve a state of healthy beauty and vigor; to glow with warmth
Have you ever thought about finding Three Words to Live By? Let me know if you need any help with this practice. ♥
Just for fun here are all the words I used over the last 12 years.
2013 Simplify | Linger | Appreciate
2014 Clarify | Cultivate | Savor
2015 Freedom | Growth | Joy
2016 Express | Embrace | Create
2017 Illuminate | Trust | Thrive
2018 Foster | Expand | Dare
2019 Connection | Direction | Focus
2020 Adventure | Unleash | Thrive
2021 Radiate | Kindle | Embrace
2022 Nourish | Flow | Receive
2023 Confidence | Synergy | Reach
2024 Poise | Ease | Delight