September has been quite a month thus far. I went back and forth between wanting to post an update and or just leaving it to roll-over to October. But then I found the perfect poster that sums up my September journey thus far:
Life is short.
I choose how I use my time.
I choose what I focus on.
I choose Love.
Every.
Time.
Look out for my next update on October 15th. To read updates from other bloggers click here!
*office phone rings*
Me: Good day. How may I help you?
Caller: Hi Vernette, Bob* here.
Me: Hi, Bob. What’s up?
Bob: So am…about that thing on Sunday. D hike nuh. Did any sexy, older…um mature…no middle-aged sexy ladies attend?
Me: …..Bob is this a serious question? *most disgusted tone*
Bob: uuuh…Yes.
Me: Look Bob, I don’t have time for this. You have a good day.
Click.
*name changed so as not to shame the obviously-crazy person.
True story.
Happened today.
I just had to share this. Bob* is very lucky I wasn’t riding a high horse today, because that conversation would have ended far worse than that.
So it’s been six months since I’ve done a “One Word” update. The same update I committed to write on the 15th of every month for the rest of the year. HA! SO much for stick-to-it-tive-ness right? It’s been a tumultuous six months and even though I may have had a good reason at the time for not doing an update…if I’m honest with myself, the reason behind the “good” reason is that I was lazy. Plain and simple. Just lazy.
However, I have been living my “one word” – TRUTH.
Truth has been the at the centre of my relationships, interactions and how I love myself. I may not have been writing about it, but I have been living it. And that makes me grateful for having this “one word” to focus on.
Over the last six months, I have been tapping into how I really feel about situations, people and life and I have been trying to align this truth to my actions. I have been having more authentic experiences and that has made a huge difference in how I perceive the world I live in.
Yes, at times, my choices have pissed those closest to me off, but this has only been for a short time. As I live a more authentic life, I’m ultimately making my world a better place and thus positively affecting those around me. My light can only shine if I am walking in truth. Win/Win as far as I’m concerned.
I have a couple difficult conversations I need to have and I’ve decided that I must have them during the next four months and I will allow only truth to guide them.
Look out for my next update on September 15th. To read updates from other bloggers click here!
True love is one-way traffic. It’s a pure flow of giving and expecting nothing in return. Anything else is a contract. Notice how whenever you allow love to flow you are always clear, calm and strong. It is only when the thought arises, “What have they given me in return?” that there is confusion and resentment. Ego transacts, love transforms. Life is too short for all these meticulous contracts and transactions. Remain clear, remain bright, and remain strong. Love without expectation.
– Marc and Angel
I’ve been hurt. A lot.
I’ve had expectations. Too numerous for my own sanity.
Love without Expectation.
Is this even possible?
Valentine’s Day came and went, how many of you had expectations?
How many of you were disappointed and sad?
There are those of us who understand that this love thing is a 365 day celebration.
It requires every day action.
As I continue my journey with my one little word for 2013 TRUTH, I’ve realized that I’ve come to a place where I can say thank you for the love lessons. I’ve had positive and negative experiences and what I’ve learned from both is to:
This is my post Valentine’s Day message. Forgive. Let go. Love.
People are so afraid of saying “I love you” sometimes. I’ve found that saying it does not make you vulnerable. Saying “I love you” is empowering. It’s freeing. Love is freedom…in all our relationships.
I read somewhere that Happiness is Freedom. Yes, Happiness is freedom…and freedom is being honest.
My one little word TRUTH directs how I present what is in my heart. Truth allows me to open up. My Truth may not always be pretty or what people want to hear…but it has to be expressed. Only then can I be truly free to be me.
And in turn, I must accept TRUTH when it presents itself to me. I must be open to the TRUTH in others and allow that truth to be expressed.
Especially when it’s not what I want to hear. This has been the lesson for February. To accept truth as it is. Not how I wish it to be.
I started this journey with so many plans, hopes and dreams and while I’ve not yet reached where I intended…I’ve been blessed to always be where I’m needed.
I believe that I am love. I AM LOVE.
Every encounter is a divine encounter. I give love and I shine my light and every person I meet has a light to shine for me.
So Thank You for the lessons and I love you.
Love without expectation.
Love without expectation?
I challenge you all, as I challenge myself, to Love without expectation.
Look out for my next update on March 15th. To read updates from other bloggers click here!
**Disclaimer: This post contains a graphic photo.**
I slammed my gate on my thumb last Wednesday and it literally popped like a cherry. As in pulp or flesh came out of the top of my busted thumb.
Yes. I almost passed out.
Busted thumb…6 days later.
The pain. The blood. The thought of it…still makes me queasy.
So how does this relate to my “one word”?
Well it has everything to do with it actually.
My one word for 2013 is TRUTH. Which means that this is what I will focus on in all areas of my life. Speaking, walking, writing my truth for 2013.
This busted thumb business proved false not one but TWO things I thought were true.
The first “truth” is that I can’t stand or handle the sight of blood. This “truth” of course ruined the promising career as a surgeon I once envisioned for myself. Ok, no that’s a lie…I never wanted to be a doctor. A marine biologist sure…but never a doctor. I didn’t grow up to be a marine biologist either.
But blood makes me queasy and my blood gushing out of my busted finger nearly had me out cold. But I survived.
So this lie I keep telling myself: That I cannot handle the sight of blood was proven to be just that.
It turns out folks…a glass of water was all that was needed to calm me down.
The pain however was another story…those required extra strength painkillers.
The second “truth” is that with a busted thumb…I would not be able to write…technically type.
HELLO!!!
I contemplated skipping this month’s “One Word” update, which I committed to write on the 15th of every month for the rest of the year.
I said to myself…it hurts, people will understand if you didn’t post anything. But even to my lazy, procrastination-loving ears…it was a lie.
I can write and I will write…with nine fingers…because I have to.
Look out for my next update on February 15th. To read updates from other bloggers click here!
What do you want to focus on in 2013?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It can be a thought, a feeling, an action, or a character trait. Your word will be a reminder, a nudge. Something you can reflect on, that will challenge you, that will inspire you.
Your word can be anything you want it to be. All that matters is that it has personal meaning for you.
This is your word. It needs to resonate with your heart, no one else’s.
This is the “resolution revolution” taking place over at One Word 365.
It will take intentionality and commitment, but if you let it, your word will shape you and your year. It will guide your decisions and help you grow.
This is not a new concept to me. At Mass on New Years my priest usually gives a word to focus on for the year. Last year’s word was “Educate” and this year it’s “Peace”.
The problem with this word is that I’ve never considered it the context of my own life. For instance, when I thought about it, my “one word” for 2012 was most definitely TRUST! There were recurring themes and situations where I had to learn to trust. I learned to surrender and trust that everything was happening as it should and at the right time.
Then fellow blogger, Diane Rivers shared her “one word” and I had an AH-HA! moment..this I could incorporate into my own life.
I have chosen TRUTH for my one word.
Over the next 12 months, I will be exploring and acknowledging and accepting the real me.
I will seek to get comfortable in my own skin because I live there.
I will learn to accept and live in the present, let go of the past,
plan for the future and surrender the outcome.
I will live, walk and speak my truth.
I’ve decided I need to be more open and to share the real me with the people in my life who deserve to know who I am and what that means.
The people in our lives only ever really know what we want them to know about us. I’ve been known to edit an experience or myself for the audience. I think the most real I’ve been is here on this blog. I hold nothing back. I give it everything I have. I’m going to take this approach into the real world this year.
It’s about time I let people see the real me, even when that means being vulnerable. I want to have a truly authentic experience of life in 2013.
I will share the evolution of this journey on the 15th of every month.
Be impeccable
with your word.
Speak with integrity.
Say only what you mean.
Avoid using the word
to speak against yourself
or to gossip about others.
Use the power of your word
in the direction
of truth
and love.
~ Miguel Angel Ruiz
Already great things have been happening. My awesome custom image of my “One word” above, as well as the “One Word” button in the sidebar was created by fellow Blogger Melanie Moore for me for free and she will make one for you as well. A special, special thank you to Melanie for this gift from the heart.
For more information visit the One Word 365 website or follow @OneWord365 on Twitter.
If you could choose one word to inspire you for 2013, what would it be? Brainstorm and share it with me in the comments below!
Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare The truth thou hast, that all may share; Be bold, proclaim it everywhere: They only live who dare.
~ Voltaire
