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

keep-calm-and-live-your-truth-5

I choose…

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:

What truly matters

TIME spelt another way is LOVE.

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!

Truth be told…

*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.

Onward to my “One Word” Update.

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!

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!