Exploring Beyond the Boundaries

I have been creating ceremony around the turning of the seasons for decades now. The details have changed over the years and for the past 8 years I have been sharing my word for the year exercise. This helps me to focus on where my intentions lie and how to bring myself back to it when I wander. This year I feel like expanding the process to combine the word with an action. Yes, single words can be verbs, and it is good to have focus, but I want to create something more tangible and action oriented.

Set aside some time when you will not be disturbed or feel rushed. Have a notebook and pen and create a calming atmosphere with music, a cup of tea and a comfy place to sit and write. If you would like to see my word for the year process, click here.

Begin with a year end review. I find that my phone photos are a quick way to do this. As you go through them make notes of what you did and places you went. People you shared experiences with and new friends you made. Experiences you had and lessons learned. Your photos may not give you all this information, but they will trigger a response that will lead you down memory lane.

Write a few sentences of what your highlights were.

Where and what would you like to experience in the coming year? This is not the usual list of resolutions that get dumped and forgotten within weeks. This is your life as you see it in the coming year. Have you felt satisfied with your life-work balance? Are you on track to realize your dreams to create or travel? Do you feel you give yourself enough time?

These actions do not have to be goal oriented, but they can be.

The steps can be walking toward your dreams, or they may be actions to let go of things that no longer serve you.

First let’s focus on creating a list of words and then work from there. You may write your own or use some of my words from previous years to prompt you to discover your own or even use some from the list.

Abundance

Acceptance

Allow

Authentic

Collaborate

Connections

Create

Ease

Empower

Experiment

Explore

Flow
Focus
Gratitude

Harmony

Honor
Immerse
Inspiration
Intentional
Interesting
Journey

Learn
Listen
Motivate
Mindful
Nurture
Observe

Resourceful

Relax
Self-care
Shine
Simplify

Simplify

Surrender

Trust

Truth
Transform

Vision
Vulnerable
Wonder
Yes

The words in blue are my initial eight words. I will now simplify and create some action steps to go along with the word. This part of the ceremony remains the same. Choose one word to be your focus and touchstone for the year.

I decided on the word collaborate because it embodies many of the other words like allow, learn, honor and explore. When I collaborate it also allows me to relax and take better care of myself. And it is stepping into the unknown.

My action phrase is I collaborate with artists and galleries to share my work with collectors and viewers worldwide. The steps I take begin with teaching and exploring other countries and cultures with like-minded artists. Organize group exhibitions. Participate in artists’ residencies and collaborate on projects with musicians and scientists. My big one is to add galleries I can work with to show my work. I already have two fabulous ones and I wish to expand. I will collaborate with online art organizations and mentor artists that are looking to expand their reach.

I look forward to hearing from you and what your word is and your actions. Please post on the Creative Awakening Community page.

Thank you all for reading and journeying with me. I am grateful to each of you, and I wish you a new year filled with love and joy.

Lotsa love.