Word of the Year

One thing I am trying to do this year is open myself up to the blogging community.  As I read other people's blogs, I am noticing a connection to what I am going through.  i have also noticed that several of my fellow bloggers are participating in an exercise called Word for the Year.  This is a word that you choose (or maybe it chooses you) as an inspiration or for guidance.  Now I know it is the end of January, but it's still the beginning of the year, so I think I can get this in under the wire.  I have decided to pick a word for this year and that word is:

Believe

-verb 1. to accept as true or as speaking the truth

2. to think; suppose

3. to accept the truth of something

A relatively simple word, but something that is so hard for me to do.  No that's not entirely true, I don't have any problems believing in other people.  What I have a hard time doing is believing in myself. 

In some ways, I think this word chose me.  On Christmas Eve, my sister gave me a pendant that she order from my friend, and fellow blogger, Leanne's Etsy store (chaostohappiness on Etsy, it's great and I suggest you check it out).  The pendant said believe:

It wasn't an early Christmas gift, my sister said she saw it and thought of me, so she bought it for me.  That was the beginning. 

The theme of the January 2nd Weight Watchers meeting was Believe and, after a rough weigh in, the consultant asked me what I believe.  At first I said, "I don't know" (I think I was reeling from the fact that I had gained 7 pounds in 2 weeks).  Then I haltingly answered, "I believe in me.  I believe I can lose weight."  Later it hit me.  I don't think I have ever really told myself that I believe I can lose weight.  I've never really had the belief in myself and my success. 

So this year I believe in me.  I believe I can lose weight.  I believe I will go back to school.  I believe my confidence will soar and I will get stronger.

I believe in me, what a powerful thing to say.

So, how about you?  It's not too late to pick a word four your year.  If you decide to do this, let me know.  I believe 2012 will be a great year for everyone!

Here is a better picture of the design that is on the pendant:

I know I already plugged Leanne's shop, but if you have a chance, do check it out.  She is a talented artist and really does some beautiful things!  www.etsy.com/shop/chaostohappiness :)

   

 

Calm

Happy New Year everyone.  Another year, another list of hopes and dreams that I would like to accomplish.  But this blog entry is not going to be my list of resolutions, it is going to be a little different because what I would like to try and do this year is a little different.

A few weeks ago, I got into a long conversation with a friend at work about his theory regarding calm.  He believes we all have moments of "being in the calm", a place of truth where we have a clear understanding of our experience.  He talked about what it is like to communicate with someone while in this state and how you can gain clarity of not only what someone else's ideas and goals are, but your own as well.  He also talked about asking for things while we are in this state and how we are more likely to get what we ask for when we are calm and true then when we are outside of the calm and too busy thinking about things that don't matter.  I told him that I wasn't sure if I ever experienced "being in the calm".  He said maybe that was because I was in my head too much.  This is true, I spend a lot of time thinking.  Thinking about other people, other things, what I want to accomplish, the future.  My head buzzes with thoughts and sounds that never seem to end.  I have often thought that the noise in my head could fill an entire room and that I don't need background noise because my thoughts are so loud.

Now I look at "being in the calm" as being in a meditative state.  A place where the noise in your head shuts off and you focus on your breathing.  Some people think they hear God while in this state, others connect with nature and still other connect with themselves.  No matter what your beliefs are, taking time to quiet your head and get in touch with yourself is important.  When we push out the unimportant thoughts that clutter our minds, what is left is what's important, our hopes and dreams and things we really want to accomplish.

As our conversation ended, I felt myself "being in the calm".  I wasn't focused on all the thoughts whirling around my head.  I was focused on my friend and I was in the here and now and it was quiet.  What an experience, to actually have that quiet and to hear the whispers of my goals and dreams.

That is what I want to accomplish this year.  I want to work on shutting off the noise in my head and listening to what my heart truly has to say.  I think I will surprise myself.

I wish everyone peace and some quiet in the new year.  May you all discover your own calm.