VernetteOutLoud

My One Word

14 days left in 2013?! Where did the time go??? It seems like just yesterday I was deciding on the One Word I would focus on for 2013.

OneWord2013_truth

At the beginning of this year I set the intention that TRUTH was going to guide all my actions, words and decisions. Looking back now…I can say with satisfaction that I have truly been living my “one word” – TRUTH.

Truth has been at the centre of all my relationships, interactions and how I love myself. And I am truly grateful for having this “one word” to focus on.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about myself over last 12 months is that it’s okay to take a “time-out” so that I can get closer to how I truly feel and to understand better what is happening in my mind and body. By taking a simple time-out I was able to tap into how I really feel about situations, people and this life I am creating for myself moment to moment. I have learned how to align this truth to my actions and so my experiences have been more authentic and this has made a huge difference in how I perceive the world I live in.

As I come to the almost end of my journey with my one little word for 2013, I can say that I feel more confident that I live, walk and love my truth! Yes there are still some situations where I feel like I am not being my 100% authentic self but this is also part of the truth I had to face within myself:

I am a work-in-progress. I wont get it right all the time but I am working to get it right most of the time.

What else have I learned?

    1. Always speak the truth. Duhh!
    2. Keep my heart open.
    3. Forgive. Let go. Love.
    4. Saying “I love you” is empowering. It’s freeing. Love is freedom…in all my relationships.
    5. Freedom is being honest.
    6. 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.
    7. 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. I must accept truth as it is. Not how I wish it to be.

So what did you focus on in 2013?

Would you consider your own “One Word” for 2014?

I already have mine! Which of course I cannot wait to share with everyone.

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. ~ One Word 365

This is the “resolution revolution” taking place over at One Word 365.

I would love to hear about your “One Word” if you had one for 2013 and what the journey was like for you. If you didn’t have one would you consider choosing just one word for 2014?

Live your Truth

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My Odyssey with Love

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.

OneWord2013_Truth150

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:

    1. Always speak the truth
    2. Keep my heart open
    3. Forgive
    4. Let go
    5. Love

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!

9 Fingers

**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

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.

OneWord2013_Truth150

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!

Day 24 – Drowning in Love

Sinking Ship

I will go down with this ship

Today’s affirmation:

My heart is wounded and my mind is muddled, help me find healing in giving today.

I’m pretty much going through the motions today. I had to be at work on a Saturday, so that does not improve my mood. Big Love is on my mind. The words of this song was all I could think of:

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won’t put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I’m in love and always will be
– Dido

You will see me write this over and over, “BIG love is never easy”. That’s because it is hard to find and when you do…that’s not the end of it, it takes work. HARD WORK! Loving someone is easily the best gift you can give. You can choose to be cynical about it, fear it, underestimate it or you can be open to it and share it with the world. Speaking your true feelings is scary as hell and while it makes you vulnerable, it also empowers you. When you speak your truth, when you walk in the light, there is nothing but love. The downside is when you speak your truth and the person you’re speaking it to is not ready to hear it.

Rejection is not easy. It can leave you questioning everything. It’s hard in the thick of hurting to be conscious to the fact that the rejection is about the other person. Not you. They are preventing love. They have closed themselves off from receiving that which you want to give. They must want it. You cannot love them enough to change. They must do their own work. All you can control is how you deal with you and your emotions. You have to do your own work. Speak your truth always. Love yourself enough and when you are ready for love, it will come.

So I had all this on my mind and really wasnt feeling for company but my sister insisted I come spend some time with her. I decided that will be my gift. Spending time with her, turned into a family get-together at a beach house. Being around my family, reminded me that there is real love in my life. And that’s all that matters really, the love that we do have.