As one year sunsets and another dawns, my thoughts turn to what is to be revealed, as yet unknown. A new year. New possibilities. New challenges.
I am not one who makes New Year’s resolutions. What I decided to do is focus on a word, a word that I want to be mindful of and manifest as best as I can in starting a new year. It only took a few minutes for the right word to surface – ROOTED. I use this word often, even start all my Tai Chi classes with this word – “Bring yourself into the room. Feet parallel, hip-width apart, knees soft. Visualize your feet and legs like a tree, rooted deep into the earth. See if you can make the roots a little bit deeper.”
As we make our roots deeper and stronger below the earth, we will become more stable above the earth. Stable, centered, balanced, strong – isn’t that what we all would like to be and have every day? If I were not so involved with Tai Chi, I might have used the word “grounded.” That’s a good word, too, because it suggests a connection with the earth and being stable, both physically and mentally.
Being rooted allows the body to move in a coordinated way. The body moves as a unit, all parts synchronized, coordinated and relaxed. I aspire to that and know it is a process not an end, nor a static state. Being rooted allows the mind to relax and focus only on the moment.
I aspire to be rooted in my standing and in my walking. I aspire to be rooted in kindness and in giving what I can to help others improve health. I aspire to be mindful and focused on the moment so I can actively listen.
What is your word for the new year? I really want to know, because if you share, it will help many others along the way.
What is your word that you want to be mindful of and manifest?
My word is “watch” as in this quote: “Come to your windows, people of the world. Watch for peace, not war. Watch for grace, not greed. Watch for mercy, not money.”
(#Adventword, Virginia Theological Seminary). Watch as attentiveness—eyes forward, hopes up, but realistic about the world we are now living in, and conscious of what we can do to improve the lives of others as well as our own. For me, tai chi embodies the principle of watchfulness.
My word for 2018 is “consistent”. I will strive for this quality in my Tai chi practice, my relationships, my dog training, my writing, my house projects and my health. Everyone has listed such great words. Good luck to everyone in their pursuits! May we all have a better 2018.
Kindness. I find that in taking care of so many other people and other things besides mysel, I often get frustrated or angry with both those other things and myself, myself for not being kind enough. So I’m going to find and show kindness to all more often.
Accepting –
– as in accepting my limitations as I grow and learn, and not being too hard on myself;
– as in not being judgemental of others and recognizing we’re all on our own journey;
– as in recognizing and receiving each day’s blessings even as they come in challenges.