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 Christine S. More about Christine below.
This was my first time choosing words and, very typically, I decided to go big and chose two:
Release – to let go of anger and resentment. And Accomplishment – to procrastinate less and finish tasks.
I started late January and put both words as my screen saver so as to have a daily reminder, which has worked perfectly.
The learning process of releasing not only helped with achieving more serenity and bettering my relationships with friends and family, it also helped when it came time to move. Like many, I have been struggling to find employment and as a result ended up losing my house to foreclosure.
I had always had difficulty getting rid of things – which led to decades of accumulated stuff – so when the time came in September to move, I even surprised myself when I was able to let go of 80% of what I owned to charities around town, only keeping what I loved or couldn’t part with. I’m told my furniture and appliances alone helped 6 different families graduating from a women’s shelter. I walked away from the ordeal feeling free; I am looking forward to starting fresh and am happy to have had the chance to help someone else do the same.
“Accomplishment” presented more of a challenge, and I have just recently figured out why. I have never rested on my laurels. Whenever I had achieved something, I never celebrated, I just moved on to the next task. I’ve done that all my life.
Unfortunately, not acknowledging my accomplishments made it difficult to be proud of them and thus be able to recall that feeling of success when I was down. That realization helped me understand that not being my own fan had also contributed to an unhealthy need for others’ approval. It’s a vicious cycle and I am happy to be climbing out of it.
I am now treating “accomplishment” as a noun rather than a verb, having it serve as a reminder to stop and give myself a mental pat on the back and encouragement to keep up the good work. I think I’ll be keeping this word a little longer until I no longer need a reminder.
Both of these words took on lives of their own and reached far beyond what I had envisioned. For that I am grateful. I am certain had I not chosen to do this, the events of this past year would have been a lot more difficult to navigate.
I encourage anyone who has been thinking about trying this exercise to give it a shot. It doesn’t need to start off as a life-altering effort, but – who knows – it just may turn out to be in the end. Best of luck!
———-
Christine S.
34
Carmichael, CA
Aspiring Entrepreneur
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I just want to tip my hat to you. Two powerful words you chose to work with. Your steps speaks a lot about your strength and determination.
It sure is making me think.
Thank you for sharing your journey over the last year. I love your discussion of accomplishment. This is such a great way to think about this word and what it can mean. Good luck in your next adventure.
Christine, what valid lessons to learn and yes, you are so right in saying that “accomplishment” is a noun rather than a verb. That went right to the quick on my heart. In less than an hour, I am going to partake in an important event that I’ve organised. The butterflies in my stomach are stilled after reading this text. It doesn’t matter how the event turns out; that is up to other people now, what I have accomplished getting to this hour has been phenomenal. If I am the only one who really knows this that is just fine; as long as I honour this fact. Thank you and all the very best in your new adventures.
Your honesty is just so powerfully refreshing – in how year has had both highs and lows. And how these two words really helped to change your life in very good ways. I love the idea of accomplishment – and that we stop and really appreciate the accomplishments we achieve. It IS easy to move on – especially in the smaller accomplishments – and we then quickly forget just how much we have “accomplished”. And when we forget – we aren’t celebrating all the good that is in our lives – and that really is important! Christine, thank you, really for sharing your story, and giving us all hope in what is possible with two simple words – release and accomplishment! I wish you well as you continue on the journey you’re on…
Christine, I love what you said about accomplishment. And how that realization helped you begin to climb out of that well worn path. The freedom you felt in giving so much away is inspiring as well. Thank you for so openly sharing your story!
Hi Christine,
Love what you said about collecting things and accomplishments without celebrating any of them. We’ve all got way too much metaphorical junk weighting us down as we follow someone else’s life blueprint. Your experience sounds like a giant cleanse, a way to start fresh, a way to see the naked wonderful you.
I hope you take the time to rest on your laurels more! As the Queen of Genius Finding, I think the answer to your employment problem is embedded in your blog …
Look deep, G.
Congratulations, Christine, on releasing so much of what you had accumulated to others who could put it to good use. That, in itself, was quite an accomplishment. It sounds like release has also woven itself in to your process of recognizing jobs well done, as you “release” your need for the approval of others. May your continued use of accomplishment bring ever more joy in to your daily journey!
Christine, what a touching post. What strength it takes to face such a tough challenge and find the good.
and OMG what an insight!! YES-how can we feel accomplished if we don’t take time to even acknowledge it!?!
thank you for sharing.
Thank you. Your insights about not acknowleding your accomplishment really opened my eyes. Very nice. Thank you.