Welcome 2017 | Light.

I didn't intend to choose a word for 2017. In fact, I was determined not to, because I didn't want to set myself up for another year to be disappointed about not following through.

But right before Christmas, I started to feel the word light tapping on my shoulder and suggesting - ever so sweetly - that it might be a good choice. I kept seeing light pop up in things I was reading (my Advent devotion has been a collection of readings titled Watch for the Light) and seeing online.

First, Brian Andreas published Your Light:

Let me say this clearly because it is time to remember. You are always the light you see by and if it is dark in the places you look it is only because you still pretend the light will have to come from someone else.

Then I saw this quotation

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

And finally this one, from Brené Brown (I’ve just started reading Daring Greatly with my small group and she's my new favorite author)

Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy - the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. 

Light and Dark. It’s an interesting metaphor given what’s happening in our country and around the world right now. I love the idea that I might be able to eliminate some of the darkness … even if it’s just for me and my immediate family and friends.

Then Christmas Day a few things happened that threatened to steal my joy in the day. When I mentioned them to Sara, she told me to Lighten Up.

So much for a sweet tap on the shoulder, huh?! I decided to go with it and last week, I even signed up for Ali Edwards' class. I'm not planning to create a scrapbook this year, but I am committed to the process. Maybe it's a coincidence, but I don't think so - the years I worked through Ali's prompts were years my word made a real impact on me and my life. We'll see.

To really see where light might take me, I've spent the last week working on intentions.  Maybe it’s just where I am this year, but I really wanted this year’s intentions to be new. not just rehashing an idea I’d had before. It was challenging because I think the intentions I set for 2015 and 2016 were good -- I still keep them with me (literally - they are pasted into my 2017 planner) -- but not light.  I haven't made any tweaks to the list in over 24 hours; at this point, I'm ready to call it done!

more gratitude.

more mindfulness.

more exploring.

more curiosity.

more connecting.

more yoga.

more prayer.

more letting (it) go.

less busy.

less worry.

...

more light.

and with that, I'm ready to say Welcome 2017. Bring it on!

The TWT crew is writing about the new year today. Head on over to Carole's blog to see what everyone is sharing.