The Guidance of a Simple Word
My family and I kicked off the new year with an activity. We each identified a word that we were prepared to allow to guide and inspire a growth intention for 2021. We then made a wooden ornament to hold our word for the year, and reflect back to us our commitment to its invitation.
Choosing the Word
As the idea of choosing a word to guide my year came into my mind, I sat with it. I was surprised by how quickly a word rose up in my mind-body system.
'Trust.'
When the word came up, I knew. I knew it was my word. I sat with it and, ironically, doubted it a bit. Is this really my word? Why would I need to be guided by trust? What does this have to do with what I am trying to build in my life at this time?
I moved from an energy of doubtful resistance to reflection.
I began thinking, hmmm, trust. What does that word mean to me?
Where do I want to build a new relationship with the experience of trust? Very quickly several considerations came into my mind for places I would be able to attend to relating to Trust.
Trust in myself
Trust in others
Trust that things will unfold as they need to in my life
Trust that things will unfold as they need to in the world around me
Trust that others will access what they need and find the resources of well-being for their own paths
Trust in something greater than myself
As I listened to the word offer shape to my thinking, I began to trust it. The word that seemed to choose me now had me prepared to choose it.
How lovely. I am fascinated by how the word and the experience complimented one another so completely.
I imagine if you choose to give consideration to a contract with a guiding word, your experience with the process will be perfectly unique for you. If you choose to give it a try,
May you trust your own process of identifying your word.
May you find an artful expression to hold your word that is natural for you.
May you enjoy a quiet reflection as you begin to hear how your word wants to relate to you.
As the year carries on, may you find yourself Turn, Turn, Turning toward the guidance that this word will offer you for this season of your life.
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Peter Seeger
Turn! Turn! Turn! lyrics © T.R.O. Inc.