Note: December is Word-of-the-Year Month at Christine’s Blog. As we roll into another New Year, each day will feature a new guest blogger who chose one word as a way of setting intention for her whole year. Today’s guest is Sara Egan. More about Sara below.
I read about choosing a word for the new year on Christine’s blog and on one or two other blogs as well. It sounded so much more appealing than making resolutions. I thought it was definitely worth a try.
I took some quiet time and 2 words bubbled up and felt right: JOY and MAGIC (used here like grace). Now that the year is nearly complete, I can say for sure that Joy and Magic have filled my life and carried me through the year.
Focusing on joy and magic (almost) every day, I think, embedded those words in my consciousness, so that most everything I experienced was joyful and grace-filled.
About midway through the year, I added the word ‘yes’, which seemed to just amplify the experience of joy and magic. And, where I might have felt fear or limitation, having the word ‘yes’ always helped me move ahead.
Some of the wonderful things that came about during the year were choosing to do a bunch of things I’ve ‘always wanted to do’ but just hadn’t yet. Things that I was pretty sure would be joyous for me. The magic was in the doing.
So I did things like drumming, learning letterpress printing, sculling/rowing in a single scull, submitting a photo for publication and having it accepted. Also, improving my tennis game, making more art, meeting more people, starting a blog, and more. And, taking Christine’s fantastic and wonderful Great Big Dreams e-seminar!
But more than just an accumulation of actions, I think that choosing a few words for the year came to color my experiences and even my being. So that not only did I seek out things that give me joy, I was (am) joy in a way or lived from a place of joy.
Thinking about the soon-to-be new year, I have 3-4 new words I’m considering to continue the magic…
———–
Sara Egan is a friend, sister and aunt, daughter, tea drinker, art-maker, dreamer, book-lover/reader, seeker, dancer, meditator, tennis player… and works at a large university in the Boston area. Click here to read Sara’s blog. Click here to visit her flickr page.
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Joy and magic — I can’t think of a lovlier pairing, or more timely for this season. Also, in a year when it seems we hear only about lack, about privation and loss, joy and magic are important antidotes to the malaise of fear that has taken hold of the airwaves of late.
Great choices — thank you for sharing your journey.
Jean
Two very special words – joy and magic! I am continually amazed at the power of one or two simple words – and what they can mean for a year of greatness. Sara, I love these choices you’ve made. To me, they speak of the wonders in our world, in our lives, in us. Very cool how these words have manifested in your life – and the joy and magic they have brought!
Good to hear that these words helped guide you through the year. Sara, you mentioned letterpress. Ah, a blast in the past for me. In high school (let’s just say back in the mid 80’s) I took three years of print shop. We learned how to construct a project using letterpress. I tedious job, indeed, but at least I know what a California Job Case is. Good luck on your word for 2009!
Tim
I can feel the joy pouring through your words.
thank you so much for sharing your journey!
I agree with Brandi. I can feel the joy in your words and the sense of peace these words brought to you. I love how the words became the filter through which you saw everything. Thanks!!
Hi Sara,
Fellow Bostonian (Greater) here. Love that you chose more than one word. Magic especially speaks to me. It dominated my childhood, yet somehow disappeared as I marched toward convention. In the past couple of years, I’ve relearned how to see magic again. It’s everywhere! Congrats for getting your photo published as well as taking on all those other great activities. Have made a note to take up sculling this summer! Thx G.
thanks so much for the kind words!! i was completely offline this weekend (as i choose to do most weekends, since my weekdays are so very much online)… taking a workshop in paper-making at a local museum. loved it!
best wishes, s