Search Results for: my three words for 2015

My Three Words for 2016

January 1, 2016 By Cara Lumen

At the end of each year, I choose three words to guide me through the coming year. This is Chris Brogan’s idea and my third year to do it. The idea is to look over your life as it exists in this moment and make some decisions as to how you would like to shape it in the coming year. There will be steps you can take, qualities you will embrace, things you can release. From that awareness, you choose three words to guide you on this next part of your journey.

How to use your words

Make the words you choose a conscious part of your daily life. In my case, I began by looking at the areas of my life that needed attention. When I chose a word, I wrote about how I would use it and what it would help me change. I went so far as to write this post and I may even write a whole post on one word, or do a podcast, or make a video. I have my words posted by my desk and by my meditation space and I review them every day. Do whatever it takes to own the words you choose, to bring them into your consciousness and apply them to your life.

I have three core words that are so important that I keep them active every year: unfolding, mindfulness and simplicity.

“Unfolding” is a core word I have consciously worked with for three years and is a foundation for my life. It has made a most profound difference in how I live each moment. As I go exploring, I continue to practice letting life and circumstances unfold. I shape what shows up – choosing, releasing, adapting – based on my awareness of “now.” It’s an awesome way to live, empty of planning and striving and “have to’s”. It’s just a gentle floating along the river of life and adapting to wherever it takes you.

“Mindfulness” is another of my core words that I continually work on. I’m going to really emphasize it this year. I want to walk mindfully, eat mindfully, talk mindfully. I want to immerse myself in every moment and explore its greatness.

“Simplicity” is the third of the core words I have worked with from the beginning. Rather than layer my life with concerns about the “what-if’s”, I’m going to let go and learn to live in the serene simplicity of acceptance. One day at a time. One moment at a time. One adjustment at a time. I work to keep my life simple.

Do you have core concepts that are the cornerstone of your life?

My three action words for 2016 are determination, trust and explore.

Determination

I’m old (83) and my body needs some help. I’ve never been a fan of exercise except for yoga and Qi Gong. Since my life is about writing at the computer and reading in a chair, I have to make some major changes in order to keep what I have going and maybe gain back some of what I’ve lost. I know what to do – longer walks, more stairs, some bed yoga (I can’t get on the floor anymore) and holding my standing Qi Gong longer. It also wouldn’t hurt to cook for myself more and curb the boredom eating.

So the word I chose was “determination.” When your body is creaky, you really have to push it to walk the distance you choose. When you are eager to get on to other things, taking time to hold a yoga pose or lengthen your Qi Gong practice takes determination. I am determined to take more conscious care of my body.

Trust

The word “trust” makes me want to cry because I need to embrace it so deeply. A wise friend wrote this to me this year: “Your job is to discover Truth and share what you find. What people do with the seeds you sow is not within your control.”

I have to stop looking outside myself for approval or even feedback. I have to trust that I’m on the right path. I know that I’m compelled to write what I write and I have to trust that it’s touching the lives of others as deeply as it’s touching my own. I have to trust the direction of my work.

I have to trust that I write what people need to hear, that someone resonates with what I say and is changed. I very much want that to be so. I have to trust in the value of my work. That’s a self-confidence issue, and on occasion I falter.

The other area where I’ll apply trust is this aging process. My eyes are changing and that is scary for me because I’m a writer. And yet I know that however my eyes change, I will adjust. I will find another way. I have dry macular degeneration, which pretty much everyone gets as they age, but now it is personal and I really care how it unfolds. So I trust that no matter how this evolves, I can handle it. I guess that’s another form of self-confidence.

Explore

The word “explore” was a natural choice. I already see myself as an explorer, an adventurer, a mapmaker, as I explore concepts like the meaning of life and who I am. But I want to take my exploration wider and deeper, whatever that means to me. Wider means I will look for connections. I will examine a concept and see how to repurpose it in another venue or apply it to another circumstance. Deeper is the direction I am already going, trying to find the meaning of life and how to live it with more self-awareness and aligned choices.

What three words will you choose for the coming year? How will you apply them to your life?

To Sing a Deeper Song consider:

My Three Words for 2015

What is Your Personal Promise?

Is it Selfish To Take Care Of Yourself First?

What is Your Truth?

Fitting In Is Not What You Do To Be Extraordinary

What Message Are You Modeling?

How Have Your Parameters Changed?

21 – How to Share a Piece of Your Soul

22 – Create Your Own Spiritual Journey

23 – What Are the Truths You Live By?

Winter Solstice as a Turning Point

December 15, 2015 By Cara Lumen

Long before there was Black Friday and Christmas savings accounts, there was the pagan celebration of winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It is the turning point when the sun begins to return and the days grow longer.

Many of the traditions now associated with December filtered down through the centuries from nature-based communities and indigenous people. I decided to find my own quiet way to observe this turning point in the natural cycle of life.

I am fascinated by the concept of cycles – life moving in cycles that have a beginning, middle and end; cycles that are ongoing and ever-present.

In Celebrate the Solstice, Richard Heinberg writes that “wisdom consists in knowing one’s place in any given cycle, and what kinds of action (or restraint of action) are appropriate for that phase.”

The origins of the winter solstice celebration can be traced back to the yin and yang philosophy of balance and harmony in the cosmos. The winter solstice marks the beginning of days with longer daylight hours and therefore an increase in positive energy flowing in.

The winter solstice is a turning point, an opportunity to contemplate, observe change and make decisions for the coming season. I want to prepare for more positive energy. I want to let go of the stale and make room for the fresh. I want to create a winter solstice celebration that feeds my soul.

Create a space for your celebration

The winter solstice is a cycle of nature, a reminder of birth and death, growing and waning. Where would you like to be for your winter solstice celebration? Where would be a meaningful place?
A walk in nature would be good, depending on the climate. Listening to the sounds of nature, feeling the texture of the air on your skin, feeling the call of nature around you.

I’m going to make an altar – one containing items from nature that remind me of the constantly changing cycles and the natural ebb and flow of life. I honor the need of a cycle, the hibernation, the tucking in to replenish myself.

I have feathers that birds have dropped in my garden. I honor their freedom and ability to fly.

I may add some of the loose hair I comb from my cat in celebration of the companionship and affection we share.

I work with the energy of rocks and crystals every day. Their energy nurtures and balances me. I will select those that further the goals of my winter solstice ceremony.

An altar needs light – for expectation, reassurance and hope. I’ll use candles, light box crystals, essential oils, whatever calls to me.

Treasured words that offer guidance will be on my altar, words from me, from an author I admire, feedback that guides my path, ideas that touch my heart and make me think. Choose meaningful items of renewal for your winter solstice celebration

This is a celebration of the end of the dark night of withdrawal and the beginning of an expanding period of light. What will you put on your winter solstice altar?

Set goals for your winter solstice celebration

My three goals are – review, re-choose and reposition.

Review the past year

I began reviewing my year as early as November because that is the month of my birthday and a natural time of reflection for me.

Whether I use a mind map or a journal or a chart on my computer, I will reflect on the past year and seek to understand its lessons. I will observe how I’ve changed, what I’ve learned, and what new opportunities have presented themselves.

It helps to acknowledge what I accomplished, and make new choices based on what I now know.

Re-choose

I’m not going to keep a lot of stuff from the past year. This is like moving, you are creating a new home for the coming year. What do you what to take with you and what are you willing to leave behind?

What do I need to release? Beliefs that no longer serve me. Friend who are not moving in the same direction as me. Habits that are detrimental to my health or well-being. So, list what would be good to leave behind, examine your willingness to do so and release as much as you can.

What do I need to replenish? From this moment in time, what do you need more of? I had to find an entire new tribe in the past year. I need to find more sources of philosophical conversations and discussions. I need to up level my self-care program. How can I achieve better balance?

What do you need to release, replenish and re-choose?

Reposition

A whole new year lies ahead. You are different now from who you were this time last year. You have changed, you know more, you have experienced more, your calling has deepened as you went exploring. How do you want to reposition yourself and what will that look and feel like?

I have chosen my three guiding words for the coming year. I have modified my mission statement and rewritten my bio to more clearly define myself. I am not making specific plans, I am making myself more receptive and flexible and responsive to what shows up.

Consider silence

What if I spent the day in silence, listening, feeling, thinking, observing? That would help me attune my senses to the subtle changes and cycles within myself.

Consider ceremony

How will I celebrate this change in this cycle of nature? The upcoming changes in me? How will I prepare myself, open myself, make myself aware that this is a day of change and renewal?

Perhaps I mindfully prepare a healthy meal and eat it in silence and gratitude.
I may chant or sing or read words that have special meaning to me.
I could vision.
I will meditate.
I will probably mind map.
I may write a poem.
I could share the ceremony with a friend.
I may get up at sunrise or look up the exact moment the solstice changes and match my ceremony with the clock. I may just hold my ceremony when I feel it’s time.

Look upon the winter solstice as a turning point

Whenever, however, I honor the day of the winter solstice around the 21st of December, I want to use it to move more deeply into my feelings of being filled with Tao, Spirit, the All That Is. It is an opportunity to appreciate what I have received, open myself to a deeper understanding of my passion and my purpose, to be more present and flexible, and teach myself to be more open to the unfolding opportunities that will appear in the coming year.

How will you make the winter solstice into a turning point for you?

To Sing a Deeper Song consider:

My Three Words for 2015

Are You a Gift Person

What is Your Personal Promise?

20 – Why Are You In Service?

04–How to Redefine Yourself and the 30 Year Plan

10– What Will Change Because Of What You Are About To Do?

21 – How to Share a Piece of Your Soul

22 – Create Your Own Spiritual Journey

23 – What Are the Truths You Live By?

Fitting In Is Not What You Do To Be Extraordinary

October 27, 2015 By Cara Lumen

It makes me feel better to think that fitting in is not what you do to be extraordinary because I certainly do not fit in. The idea of purposefully not fitting in encourages me to look at my individuality as my personal path to being extraordinary. I love that! Are you extraordinary? Do you wish you fit in more? What does extraordinary mean to you?

Extraordinary people follow their passion

Passion is your “have to” place. I “have to do this.” Your passion is found in the core urges that you eagerly follow throughout your life. It has always expressed itself. You just have to identify your passion and put it to work.

Extraordinary people are true to their passion. They follow that burning desire, that deep-seated calling. They make it the cornerstone of their lives. Not only do they encourage the expression of their passion, they put it to work in different venues.

Extraordinary people cultivate their gifts

We each have unique gifts, those combinations of talents that we must hone and combine and use in order to express our passion. All my life, I’ve expressed myself through writing. I use my voice to share and teach and inspire others. To me, those are obvious and cherished gifts. But there are subtle gifts too, like curiosity and love of learning. What gifts have you been given and how enthusiastically are you using them?

Extraordinary people constantly question and make new choices

Life is a series of cycles, which means everything is changing all the time. That means we have to change too. In order to make aligned choices, we have to know what we want and need, we have to be clear about the values we have chosen and we need to make certain we are as deeply in service as we can be.

A year ago I repositioned my web presence. Recently I looked again to see where I am, how far I’ve come, and what needs to be done next. Time and distance gave me a much clearer picture of my purpose and direction. Once I noticed how I’d changed, I could ask more aligned questions. What do I need to let go? What do I need to add? How am I changing and growing because of what I do? Self-awareness is the key to making aligned choices. Question everything and pay attention to the answers you receive.

Extraordinary people have clear values

The first time I was asked to name my values I realized I had never given them any thought. Not only do I now understand my core values, but each year I chose three new words that keep me focused on values that are important to me.

“Unfolding” is a core value that influences everything I do, from non-planning to no deadlines. I let life and circumstances unfold around me. What values are you exploring and bringing to the forefront of your life?

Extraordinary people express their authentic self

When we are authentic, we cherish our gifts, we are true to our values, we follow our passion. We are true to ourselves. The more you express your authentic self, the more aligned you will be with your core purpose and the less you will fit in. You will stand out in your individuality. You will be different. And you will be very happy.

Extraordinary people have the courage to stand alone

Not fitting in looks lonely but in reality it’s not. It is actually a very strong position. Because I stand alone, I’m free to go exploring exactly where I want to go. I’m not held back by anyone—not by their ideas or their opinions or their words. I am free, truly free to expand my gifts, to question my beliefs, to explore everything that shows up and decide, in the moment, what I want to do and what I do not want to do. I do not have to compromise my time, my work, or my values. Standing alone gives me great freedom.

I’m in an unusual circumstance of truly being free to write about, talk about, learn about the things that matter most to me. I’m exploring my essence and, although I had to go online to do it, I have found others who are interested in taking a similar journey.

I’m standing alone in a group of people who are also standing alone. None of us fit in our local communities. None of us want to. But we do welcome an opportunity to walk along beside others and share a part of our journey.

Extraordinary? It means outside of ordinary, beyond ordinary. I like that.

To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
My Three Words for 2015

Decision as a Dream Carrier

How Are You Harvesting Your Crop?

Why I Love Being a Freak

05-Do You Have the Courage to Stand Alone

06– Unfolding And The Art Of Wu Wei

07- How to Find and Express Your Distinctive Voice

Don’t Do What You Don’t Want to Do

August 11, 2015 By Cara Lumen

I keep doing stuff I’ve already done and that’s not what I want to do any more. I want to go exploring. I want new adventures. I don’t want to repeat stuff I already know how to do.

What do you no longer want to do?

I’ve never been one to repeat things. I’m not drawn to repeating the basics. I want to invent, create and fly on. That means there are certain things I no longer want to do. And yet, I keep gravitating back to them because they are familiar and perhaps even comfortable. But they are also boring and non-challenging. I get to look at that.

Comfortable and easy do not expand you

In order to grow me as a person, I have to keep exploring and experimenting and questioning. I have found what I want to learn, I want to deepen my spiritual inquiry. However, I keep reverting to my ability to make information products. To do that I have to teach some basics – basics I already know how to do. That’s my dilemma. I don’t want to repeat the basics, I want to fly!

Do what will grow you

It finally occurred to me that if I go exploring and share what I figure out, you will benefit too. You will take wisps and chunks of what i write about and do something with them in your own life. That would be wonderful. That would give meaning to my work . That allows me to give myself permission to not make courses or spend time trying to promote and sell them. That gives me permission to not even bother with ebooks. It sort of leaves me with posts that either get read or don’t. But the posts will have done their work for me. I will have changed myself. I will have explored the idea. I will have figured out how to apply the concept to my life. That will show up in other places in my life. And eventually come to you.

Who do you want to help?

I’ve always wanted to make a difference in the lives of the people who are already flying – who are contributing to their world, so that whatever I inspire them to do will affect many others. I’m no longer teaching ground school, I’m giving flying lessons! That sure works for me.

Who has gone before you?

I’m not on this journey alone and yet I am. I’m not smoothing a path, I’m blazing a trail. Yes, there are footsteps ahead of me and winding paths and signposts to guide me because I’m exploring spiritual awakening, whatever that means to me. But there are many choices and I have to find the paths the inspire and motivate and move me in a direction that resonates with my unique self. I’ll show you that path and where it takes me. Then you have to decide for yourself what path you want to follow. You have to go exploring and choose your own path.

I can’t go exploring if I stay in base camp

I have the tools I need for my journey. I write. I know how to make most forms of information products. I can draw a map in many languages. If I want to. But first I have to immerse myself in my journey. I have to feel deeply what I need to understand next in order to live a more thoughtful life. I have to embrace and explore them. I figure thing out by writing posts like this one in which I both explore the idea and then figure out how to apply it. The results of my trying the concept on for size ends up in another post.

So I don’t have to do what I don’t want to do

Staying in my comfort zone will slow me down. Getting bogged down in what I already know will keep me from growing And I’m pretty certain this next cycle of my life is about uncovering and explaining some pretty subtle ideas that have the potential to change a few lives.

That’s why I”m going exploring. Do you want to come with me?

To Sing a Deeper Song consider:

04–How to Redefine Yourself and the 30 Year Plan (podcast, 20 minutes)
05-Do You Have the Courage to Stand Alone (podcast, 20 minutes)
06– Unfolding And The Art Of Wu Wei (podcast, 20 minutes)
07- How to Find and Express Your Distinctive Voice (podcast, 20 minutes)
Do You Know How Much You Have Going For You?
if I Were a Person Who…
If You Are A Rock – Who Supports You?
Take Money Out of the Equation
Your Work as You
My Three Words for 2015
Do You Know How You Create Impact
Are You Hiding Out in Your Comfort Zone

Find Your Deeper Song Archetype

June 18, 2015 By Cara Lumen

Too often, we see ourselves as we think others see us. We can’t recognize our own value or potential. Choosing your own personal identifying archetype can send you in a powerful new direction.

Archetype as a model

This is not about the archetype’s as Jung described them, this is a about your personal model, the type of person you see yourself, the way you want to give to others. I call this your Deeper Song Model because encouraging it, developing it, being it, wail help you sing a deeper song – whatever that means to you. To find your Deeper Song Model you may need to look at it from two directions, what seems to have been there all along and what you would like to become.

What have you been all your life?

Make a running list of all the ways you think you have been seen in your life. Prankster, studious, geek, kind, thoughtful, generous. Get more subtle even than those. My list included independent, different, on the edge of the group, creative, curious, un-observant, odd, smart, and opinionated
Now add to the list those things you wish you were, or like to think your are. Those things you may not be certain your are expressing but would like to. That’s showing up for me as people give me feedback on what I am organically doing. I like some of what they say, I only hope it’s true.
Look at your work. Add descriptive words from how you are perceived at work – by your co-workers, your clients, your bosses, your business associates. Write down the acknowledgements you receive. Ask a few friends to describe you.
Look at your relationships. Add words to your list that describe how you interact with others old and young, male and female – all the people you encounter in your life. How you are seen will depend on what that person needs in their life at the moment. Consider that as you add those words to your list.
Review your list and circle the words that resonate with you, either because you think they are true or you want them to be true.
Copy those positive words to another list.

Look for your model, your archetype

We’re looking for clues and we’re making some choices. Look at the list. Circle the words that call to you. See if your Deeper Song Model begins to appear. Write down some of the descriptive words that come to you.

At one point, I was the vision Distiller because I realized one of my talents was helping recognize and organize the over-arching direction of my coaching clients. As I moved into Content Development Coaching, I became the Idea Optimizer. These were words that described how I saw myself in service. They were my archetypes, my model, my major definer of how I was in service.

When I moved into my Deeper Song work, I began using words like seeker explorer, guide, and spiritual philosopher to describe what I did and how I helped others. Any of those would make good Deeper Song Models for me. “Explorer” shouted out. That’s what I want to be. That’s how I see myself in my own quiet way. That’s how I want to FEEL! I am an explorer.

Define the qualities of your Deeper Song Model

What are the qualities of an explorer: curious, independent, brave, looks for connections, fits small discoveries into a bigger picture, sees the overview, leader, demanding, persistent, intrepid, seeker, guide, guardian of those who follow. Do you see how I now have a list of qualities to encourage and inspire me? That’s what a Deeper Song Model can do for you. I can express any of those qualities at any time. I can look at one of the qualities and decide I want to develop it more. I resonate to “guardian of those who follow.” When I choose that, look how that will impact the choices I make next. What does that look like? How can I express that? What does a guardian of those who follow do?

I can also look at some of the pitfalls being an explorer might have. Restless, superficial inquiry, discover and move on rather than settle, not fitting in, individualist, start up projects but not complete them. The Deeper Song Model is multifaceted. Allow it to contribute to your awareness,.

Begin to model your Deeper Song Archetype

Seeing myself as an explorer sends me off the beaten path. It suggests that I guide others who want to come in this same direction. It urges me to set up a base camp in which we are all safe. An explorer may choose a certain clientele. A wagon train master drew to him strong, stalwart, determined people. A scientific explorer worked with thoughtful, introspective people. Do you see how your choice of an archetype also leads you to other choices. I help people sing a deeper song. Not everyone is going to want to go in this direction. Be certain where you are leading with your Deeper Song Model. Make certain it honors what you want to learn next as well as the people you hope to help. .

Look at your personal model from both its strengths and weaknesses. Don’t start with Jung’s archetypes. Start with your understanding of you. What you feel. What you desire. What you want to experience. Find your personal Deeper Song Model from your natural voice. Then use it to guide your next steps.

To Sing a Deeper Song Consider:

04–How to Redefine Yourself and the 30 Year Plan (podcast, 20 minutes)

10– What Will Change Because Of What You Are About To Do? (podcast, 20 minutes)

12- How To Nurture Yourself if You are a Rock (podcast, 20 minutes)

Your Work as You

My Three Words for 2015

How Are You Harvesting Your Crop?

Use Power Words To Change Your Life

Do You Know How You Create Impact

Are You Reading the Signs?

Why I Love Being a Freak