After an absence of several months, I've been quietly slipping into the blogosphere to read snippets from some of my fav bloggers. Always . . . perfect timing!
Phil Gerbyshak's What's Your Word of the Year for 2009? caught me at a time when I most need it. He suggests building your year around one word that resonates for you. He gives credit to this idea to Christine Kane's Resolution Revolution post. She supplies a lot of help if you need inspiration around words to select. Both are excellent posts about creating something more powerful and lasting than a New Year's resolution.
It took me about 60 seconds to jot down 4 words. My top 2 picks: "ease" and "savor."
Why those two words? Because I am out of balance. I've been fully immersed in real estate investing. It's a "reactive" business. It feels like I have less control of my time. I notice that I spend a lot of my day utilizing "masculine" energy - hard, action-oriented, "make it happen" energy. I'm tired on many levels.
And so I return to the word "ease." Just saying it feels expansive and luxurious, like reading the Sunday paper in your pj's, knowing you don't have to go into work that day.
I need a simple way to be different. One word that makes me feel good and pulls me forward like a magnet. I like "savor" because if I do it, it will take me to "ease." I remind myself to stop viewing life as a chore, something to get through.
Yesterday, in the grocery store late afternoon on New Year's Eve, I shop with a vengenance, until I catch myself. Chill out, Deb. Savor this mundane task. You fill up your cart with goodies that you have money to pay for. How cool is that? The check-out clerk actually makes eye contact and is surprisingly friendly and chipper.
I return home. I put away the groceries. It's getting dark outside. As my husband pulls up into the driveway, I put on some music, light a few candles, and grab a bottle of wine. It's time to practice the art of savoring. And as we do, I experience a sense of timelessness. I'm no longer doing. I slip into being.
Wow Deb, powerful words! So good to have you recognize you need to slow down...and that you're committed to working it more slowly in 2009.
Sounds like your job is a lot like mine. I spend all day reacting, and driving forward, as fast as I can. I make hundreds of decisions every day, and by the end, I am exhausted.
I'm going to work to savor life a little more too.
Awesome reminders! So glad I could give you what you needed when you needed it. Keep BEING great! To our success!
Posted by: philgerb | January 01, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Hi Debbie, Great to hear from you. I like the idea of "words for 2009." I did my usual New Year's Day reflection and looking ahead with my husband. At the end as I sat with it all, two words came: appreciation and allowing. I know that appreciating what I have is something I will focus on this year, especially with all the turmoil around these days. And allowing? I have the sense it is about allowing increase but, well I think I'll know more about this one next year. Best to you.
Posted by: Barbara Sliter | January 04, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Phil - I appreciate your sharing that your job is similiar to mine in terms of the fast, reactionary pace. It makes me feel a little less crazy to know I'm not alone.
Barbara, I'm looking forward to hearing how the "allowing" plays out in your life this year.
To all of us - may we move forward with intention and joy!
Posted by: debbiecall | January 04, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Hey Deb
What a wonderful AND inspiring post.
I wrote a blog today around my word....
~*~ Gratitude ~*~
http://tinyurl.com/888mcm
Your words... ease and savor.. Hmmm both delicious.
XO XO
Deb Estep
Posted by: deb_inside | January 05, 2009 at 08:10 AM