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My Three Words for 2017

By

Planet

At the beginning of each new year, I select three words to guide me on my journey. These are qualities or values or concepts that I want to explore, develop, embrace and emphasize during that year.

I learned this from Chris Brogan several years ago. Choosing three meaningful or motivational words allows me to evaluate what I’ve accomplished, notice where I am, and make choices that’ll guide me in a direction that’s aligned with my core purpose.

For 2016, my words were “determination”, “trust” and “explore”. I determinedly explored my connection with nature through Shamanism and expanded my connection with the world through a course in subtle group energy. I deepened my trust by following my instincts that said I needed to venture further online to connect with the people who would nurture and guide me on this next phase of my journey.

As I continue to let my life unfold, I deepen my trust. I trust myself to recognize the nudges and insights that keep coming my way. I trust the universe to offer signs and signals to guide me.

Would you like to choose three words to help shape your experiences in the coming year?

What is your overall objective?

What qualities or values would you like to develop or explore in the coming year? What is your over-arching objective?

For 2017, my overall goal is to immerse myself more deeply in my spiritual exploration, to find meaningful and effective ways to direct energy to the well-being of our universe and share what I discover in a clear, insightful and inspiring manner.

My three words for 2017 are “broaden”, “deepen” and “change”

Broaden. I expand my spirituality and my personal awareness by broadening my participation in the planet, particularly in the form of focused energy. I broaden my personal awareness by questioning all my beliefs to make certain they represent my current values and that they’re based on my truth rather than on the truth of others.

I broaden my empathy and develop the core value of inclusion as I increase my understanding of others by actively listening to the concerns of persons who have a different frame of reference than I do. I broaden my participation in the world by joining with others in meditations for peace and harmony and balance. I open myself to ways to extend the reach of my words into the lives of people who will benefit from them.

Deepen. Deepen relates to my inner work. I deepen my awareness of nature and allow its organic flow to guide me. I deepen my awareness of the natural cycles and allow myself to flow with them. I deepen my knowledge of subtle realms and dimensions and apply concepts that resonate. I deepen my understanding of the concepts in Shamanism and Taoism that call to me. I take what resonates and learn new ways to apply those concepts more consciously in my daily life.

Unfolding is at the core of my life. Increased mindfulness continues to deepen my connection with my inner world. I mindfully move more consciously through my day, seeking to hear the messages of nature, my body, my soul and the invisible world around me.

Change. I feel myself being drawn on a great adventure. It has to do with the exploration of subtle realms and higher dimensions. I’m willing to change. I’m open to new possibilities. I feel myself being pulled to a level of exploration that’s taking me deeper within than I’ve ever gone before. I’m connecting with the “nowhere that we came from”, the great nothingness, the universes beyond the universes. Although I’m human, I’ll explore beyond the limitation of my body suit and report what I find.

Awareness + choice = change.

Broaden
Deepen
Change

I’m certain these three words will take me on great adventures and lead me to awareness I didn’t expect.

What are your three words for the coming year?

TO SING A DEEPER SONG, CONSIDER:

My three words for 2016
My three words for 2015

The Willingness Day

By

old people jumping

What would happen if you spent the day being totally willing – willing to try something new, willing to simply be? What would that look like? What would that feel like?

Why is willingness important?

If we’re not willing, we’ll never try anything new. We will miss everything! There are often reasons why we are not eager. We may be afraid, we may not know how, or we may not have the self-confidence to even try.

When you’re willing, the world opens up to you.

Willingness is being eager

Curiosity leads us to the most exciting places. When we take a moment to look, to explore, to consider, we begin to see how the opportunity fits into our life and we move eagerly forward into the adventure.

Wiliness is being flexible

Practice being more willing in your interaction with others. Go along with what the others want – as long as it’s in line with your values, of course. Allow others to lead the way. It can lead you to fascinating places you might never have considered.

Willingness is being amenable

Be open to suggestions. Listen to the others’ ideas and viewpoints. New worlds of adventure and opportunity open up when you stay open to the natural flow of events.

Willingness makes you ready, eager and prepared to do something

A willing person is curious and eager to go exploring. She is the person who is ready to expand her ideas and prepared to do whatever it takes. Wouldn’t you like someone like that on your team? Wouldn’t you like to be like that?

Is that you?

Or do you need a little work? What happens if you decide to have a Willingness Day?

Today I’m willing to listen and absorb what the other person is saying before I respond. I listen to the concerns that are hidden behind the words. I will be open to hearing things I didn’t expect.

Today I’m willing to try something new. I will simply allow an idea to emerge and go exploring. I will even push past my apprehension and uncertainty. I will go two or three steps further than I though I could.

Today I’m willing to trust. For the whole day I will trust Tao to provide exactly what I need, whether I think it looks like it or not. And I will trust that I have the wisdom and self-knowledge to make the right choice.

Today I celebrate my willingness. I’m going to dance and play throughout my day in celebration of my open, receptive willingness to immerse myself in the natural flow of the day.

Happy Willingness Day!

To Sing a Deeper Song:

Why Unfolding Works
The Power of Non-Action
The Power of Exploring the Unknown
Allow the Right Action to Emerge
Just Chose
The Reward is in the Journey
34- Use Labels to Expand Your Possibilities
29-Are You Wiling to Move Beyond Your Comfort Zone?

Learn to Honor Your Inner Rhythm

By

drum

I have the leisure time to honor my own rhythm. I can write when I want, walk when I want, do nothing when I want. It’s very freeing. And it’s very revealing.

There is an inner rhythm you need to hear

I started to beat myself up when I didn’t do things in the time line I had decided upon. Once I stopped doing that, I found that when the time was right, it all came together with unexpected ease.

I should/could be doing something else right now. Writing this post is not on my list and yet here I am, listening to my inner rhythm and writing my third post in an hour – all about things I want to figure out, things I need to know. Ideas I’m curious about.

And not being on the list, it sort of added to my burden of the number of posts I wanted to edit and get out the door for proofing. These three new posts are so good that they are going to the top of the list.

Because I waited.

I listened.

I acted at the perfect time.

Getting stuck is about your inner rhythm

This is the second day in a row that I’ve put off the completion of a particular step. If I would just review my two ebooks one last time, I could have the pdf’s on my site. And yet, here I sit, writing about my inner rhythm. Apparently my inner rhythm does not want to do pdf’s at this point in time, it wants to think and write and explore. That’s much more exciting.

So am I stuck? As far as pdf’s are concerned, it sort of looks like it. But as far as my work of exploring esoteric ideas is concerned, I’m on a major roll here!

For me, capturing and exploring an idea is the most important thing I do. As long as I keep doing that, whatever gets put off is simply because of this priority I make of exploring and discovering.

However, there comes a point….

When you honor your inner rhythm the floodgates open

I have learned that I like to work through immersion – several days on one type of project. I feel less pressured, more focused and more productive. So I take steps to provide several days to focus on a project.

I work in batches. Batches of posts, batches of writing podcast scripts, batches of recording the podcasts. Two scripts written one day, two recorded the next, two edited the next and I’ve filled up my podcast schedule for two weeks.

Honoring your inner rhythm holds some surprises

We call it being “in the mood.” My process of getting in the mood is that first I think of something that needs to be done or that I would like to do. I just notice. I don’t act. I’m going to use the example of housekeeping since that’s not much of a priority for me.

I noticed that the meaningful objects on my meditation altar were dusty. I don’t think the objects themselves minded. It didn’t affect the depth of my meditation. But it finally came to my attention that indeed, a little dusting would be a good thing.

But I took no action. The seed was planted. That was enough.

Until one evening, during a commercial break on The Voice, I got up, moistened a cloth and wiped down all the dusty pieces. It may have taken eight minutes. It felt so easy that I went on and cleaned other areas as well. No big deal; I just took advantage of my mood and my willingness.

Value your willingness

Willingness is a sign of an inner alignment. Jump on it! I often wake up with words pouring out of my mind and I rush through my morning chores as rapidly as possible so I can sit at my computer and write.

Notice when your willingness slows down. As I pushed my way though the technical part of the things I needed to learn next, my willingness got less and less until it brought me to a screeching halt.

So I stopped. I let it go. I honored my unwillingness. I listened to my reluctance And I simply did something else that felt easier and more immediately rewarding.

In exchange for that time off, that release of tension, that change of pace, a few days later I was able to return to my learning process with enough willingness to move forward. I honored my rhythm and was rewarded by positive action in due time.

Decisions should come from your inner rhythm

Honor your inner rhythm when it comes to making a choice. When it was first mentioned that the current librarian of our community center was ready to retire, I thought the timing was really off. Two years ago I would have loved the job, but the person who held it wanted it and wanted to do it her way. She didn’t even want me as an assistant.

But things had changed and she was ready to let go. But was I ready to take over?

I had to look at my willingness. I had to think about the years of commitment a job like that seems to mean. I didn’t dwell on it. I just left it alone and let the idea unfold. Until the day came when I was willing and said “yes.”

There was no talking myself into it. There was no big debate on what it meant to do the job. There was a simple waiting for my inner self to quietly come to a decision.

Get to know yourself

Learn to let go of your rational mind and listen to your inner urges, your inner rhythm. Learn to trust your intuition and respond when it simply feels like the right thing to do.

Honor your inner rhythm. Hear it, heed it and you will always be headed in the right direction.

To Sing a Deeper Song consider:

How to Develop Your Distinctive Voice
The Power of Exploring the Unknown
The Power of Your Personal Path
35—How to Hold the Space for Change.
32 – How to See Your Work As Art
Your Art Must Originate Within Yourself
The Reward is in the Journey

Lose Your Attachment to the Outcome

By

attachment-9

When you truly don’t care how something turns out, there’s no stress, no pressure, no worry. How freeing! I’m not suggesting we don’t care about our life, but I am suggesting we learn to be more amenable to whatever shape it takes. We can learn to go with the flow, shape things as they come and accept what develops. Surely we can.

Release your attachment to the timing of things

Timing is one of the trickiest things to let go. Years ago, when I first became a Reiki Master Teacher, I wanted to create some classes, both first and second degree. It was as easy as opening my calendar and writing them in. I decided to have three first-degree classes before I offered one second-degree class since I knew not everyone would move on. That’s it. A logical decision based on expectation and a calendar to set the dates. I made up the timing. I could change the timing.

What timing have you made up that you are attached to? If you let go of that idea, how would you feel? What new space would open up. What new opportunity would appear?

Take a reality check and clear out the impossible

Right now, every week I send out two posts, one podcast and a newsletter. If I want to add videos or work on my books, I may have to alter that delivery promise.

It has taken me a long time to self-publish my two latest ebooks because I had to learn Scrivener and the process for Amazon and Smashwords. If I had made a due date, a delivery date, I would have been stressed beyond all measure.

As it was, I just kept taking small steps, studying a new tutorial every day, and honoring what I felt ready to learn/do next. Clear the space for the next step you need to take.

Release your attachment to the form of things

When I became overwhelmed and stressed out in the self-publishing process, a friend suggested I just focus on creating one form. The relief was immediate. All I had to do was create the pdf for my site. That alone would give me a great sense of accomplishment. Then I could focus on placing them on Amazon. Trying to produce both forms together felt overwhelming. Taking one at a time was very doable. What basic form must your create first? Just do that.

Release your attachment to the need for things

Possessions are a personal choice. A lot. A little. If you decide you want more of something, take time to look at what it will take to get it. Does it mean longer hours, less family time, more stress? Measure what you give up in order to get more things.

The less I have around me, the more I have inside me. The more simply I live my life, the greater the impact. I no longer add material possessions to my home. Instead, I cherish what I have and even look to see which of those I can pass forward.

Possessions can take some sacrifice. Put your needs and wants in balance with the reality check of what it will take to acquire and maintain them.

Release your attachment to the use of things

I used to be an impulse buyer. I got excited about a lot of things. I have better control over that today but I still got a bit carried away when I purchased a juicer based on the enthusiasm of someone who gave a class. I know I am easily influenced by the excitement of others and I have to watch that when it comes to adding things to my life.

It works best when I wait before I buy. Often when I wait I find that I truly do not need or want what I was attached to. Time is a great leveler of what you want versus what you need.

Release your attachment tot the outcome

Attachment to the outcome is a huge creator of stress. There are so many perfect ways a situation can unfold. Wouldn’t it be easier to simply go along with the flow and see what shows up?

When you are attached to the outcome you make plans. You outline, you set deadlines, you move in a specific direction.

When you go with the flow you have a broad objective in mind and with every opportunity that appears, you measure and weigh, consider how you feel and if/how it fits into your objective, or if your objective should be changed because of this new information.

You make your choice based on where you are in the moment, not on where you were weeks ago. You have new information, new insights, new awareness. Choose from the present moment.

In order to be in the moment, become more aware

Respond, don’t react. When I get a new idea, I often stop what I’m doing and write a post about it in order to figure it out. The idea for this post came from an article I noticed about relieving stress. As I looked to see how I managed stress I realized that I’m not stressed because I’m not attached to any outcome.

Yet good things happen in their own good time. For instance, my books will get where they’re supposed to go; I just don’t know exactly when that will be.

I let the ideas change form. Although I explore the idea of attachment to outcome in this article, I already see it expanded into a podcast. Maybe it will even become a course. I don’t know yet. The Universe will surprise me.

And whatever I decide to do, whenever I decide to do it, will be perfect. I just get to trust it to unfold and make myself available when and where I’m needed.

Can you begin to lose your attachment to outcome? How relaxed and free will that make you feel?

To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
Hold the Space for Things To Change
Are You in the Right Room?
Engage in the Power of trust
Fitting In Is Not What You Do To Be Extraordinary
How to Develop Your Distinctive Voice
Unleash the Power of The 20 Minute Lesson
32 – How to See Your Work As Art
31-How to Cultivate The Power of Simplicity
30 – The No Plan Plan

The Power of the Label You Choose

By

winner 2-3

Your power lies in how you see yourself. If you see yourself as strong and powerful and capable, that’s what you are. If you see yourself as less than that, that’s what will show up.

How do you see yourself?

Before you read on, take two or three minutes to write down a few words that describe you. Think about your personality, your skills, your passion. You can also write down a few things you’d like to change about yourself.

Are those observations positive? Or are they mostly negative? How you see yourself affects who you become.

How others see you

Now list the qualities others see in you. If you’re not certain, ask your friends.

Compare the two lists – how you see yourself and how others see you. Who are you going to believe? Are you going too hard on yourself?

Years ago, I began to keep an acknowledgment list. I wrote down the kind things people said about me, along with the name of who said it and the date. When I was feeling less than confident, I would read those comments and could see how people saw me as much more capable than I sometimes saw myself.

I still keep that acknowledgment list. It helps me stay aware of how I’m touching lives and hearts.

A label can help you change

The impact of my work relates primarily to internal change. That change is so subtle it is hard to recognize let alone describe. So when I receive a positive comment, it feels supportive of my choices even though I know in my heart I am on the right track as I offer ideas for positive change.

If there’s a quality you’d like to expand, practice doing it for a week.

If I want to be more thoughtful of others, I take every opportunity to expand my ability to do that. If I want to help my introverted self be more sociable, I need to practice showing up at events.

A label can help you see yourself differently

I had a huge personal shift when a series of events helped me see myself as a verbal artist and thus made it okay for me to be as introspective as I am. Qualities that I perceived as limiting turned into strengths.

A friend who had been putting herself out as a proofreader and editor mentioned that she enjoyed doing presentations coaching and she wants to begin to do more of that. That was not how she was putting herself out in the world.

Recently, I noticed that she had added Presentations Coach to her email signature. That was huge!!!! She was taking ownership of a new label. She was trying it out. She was getting comfortable with it.

What label would you like for yourself?

Some of the labels I would like to apply to myself feel too lofty for me to achieve. But what if I pretend? What if I dress up in the labels that appeal to me and see how they feel? What would they be?

I started to write that at 83 there are a few labels that aren’t going to happen without a lot of work; labels such as “strong” and “vigorous”. Until I realized that compared to a lot of older people, and even to many who are younger than me, I am still strong and vigorous.

Do I want to be a well-known writer? Not particularly; but I would very much like to know that my words change lives. And I do know that they do. I can tell by the number of posts opened and podcasts listened to and emails I receive.

I’ve worn several versions of the coach label. I realize that how I want to express that label today is to create courses that use my gift for creating introspective processes to help people sing a deeper song – whatever their song turns out to be. So my label changes from “content development coach” to softer definitions like “guide” and “teacher”.

But even these no longer fit, as I see my work as simply walking beside others to shine my light, my awareness, on their path. I have chosen softer words because I am living a softer life.

How labels limit how we see others

How easy it is to apply a label to someone. It can be about their physical appearance like cute, handsome, short, tall, or it can be about their personality, perhaps bubbly, serious, talkative, demanding.

But these are only momentary conclusions we have reached based on the situations in which we met those persons.

My introversion has made me be perceived as standoffish. My intelligence has been interpreted as “she thinks she’s up there and we’re down here.” But there’s no up and down, there are just different puddles we play in.

Rethink how you have labeled someone. I know a person who seems very negative and judgmental. I think underneath she simply wants to be approved of and loved. I know someone who is very skilled at what he does and yet from our conversations, I know there’s a lot of self-judgment and uncertainty standing in his way.

Does your label limit you?

Notice how you label yourself. See if you can reword it. I work with “spiritual philosopher.” And I’m still growing into that. Spiritual is easy; “philosopher” is a label I still need to own.

What are you comfortable calling yourself? If you’re not comfortable with a label but want to see yourself in that new light, look at yourself in the mirror and practice calling yourself that. Introduce yourself with your new label until you believe it of yourself.

How a label can help you take action

Trying on a label is a good way to explore a new direction. If I decide to label myself as a motivational speaker, I’m going to start acting like a person who motivates and inspires by the words they speak. I will learn to craft talks. I will study my delivery, my gestures, my voice intonations. I will improve my skill and see how it feels.

I actually did a version of this. I do monologue podcasts. That means, it’s me giving a talk. I happen to craft a script because that’s how I’m comfortable working for now.

One day, I recorded a too-long, too-wordy podcast and realized I didn’t have the right framework. I went to Craig Valentine’s book, World Class Speaking, and found an outline for a talk. I put that in my podcast template, wrote my next script to that format and it was the best script I had created so far.

I’m not a live speaker, but I do communicate with words. I’m not going to label myself motivational or even inspirational. Those labels restrict me. What I am is a person of the heart. Now that’s a label I can grow into.

The label you choose defines you.

How do you label yourself? What less-than labels are you applying to yourself and how would you like to change that?

To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
How to Develop Your Distinctive Voice
Fitting In Is Not What You Do To Be Extraordinary
How Often Do You Redefine Yourself?
Is Everything You Know Still True?
Are You in the Right Room?
Engage in the Power of trust
30 – The No Plan Plan
27 – Why Have You Been Chosen
28 – How to Walk Beside Someone in Service