choosing a word isn't permanent (from the archives)
Friday's soul mantra altar in the studio
When I sat down to write a post inviting you to let go of any anxiety around "choosing a word of the year," I peeked into last year's posts about choosing a word and realized one post said all that I want to say today. So I'm sharing those words again with a few amendments to make it relevant to this year.
Because honey, choosing a word isn't permanent. It's a guide. A touchstone. And if it resonates, awesome. And if not, you are still totally enough without it.
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Right now, my studio is full of words and intentions for the new year as beautiful souls are choosing a word to act as a touchstone for them for the new year.
I have been so moved by the stories arriving with the shop orders. This week, I created a new altar for the Soul Mantras to sit on after they've been polished and are awaiting chains to then be packaged up and sent on to their new homes.
I want to share that I've noticed some discussion about and received emails from people feeling "pressure" to choose a word or figure out what their word should be. Oh sweet soul, please let that go today.
Choosing a guiding word or phrase for the year isn't the same thing as choosing a wrist tattoo.
It isn't permanent. It is one practice that might or might not work for you.
At any given time, I work with several words and mantras. I am a word person. They are my most comfortable medium.
When my mind is swirling or I'm exhausted with a very active toddler to take care of or when I feel lonely or a bit lost, taking a few deep breaths and focusing on a word or phrase grounds me.
Because there are so many words out there, it helps me to have a few that are at the ready. Words I wear as talismans or have on sticky notes or write on my mirror...words that come out of conversations with dear friends that I write in huge letters in my journal.
Words are part of my soul care practice. Choosing one for the year is just another way of bringing in self-care for me. It becomes another handhold in the midst of it all.
Maybe this idea resonates. Maybe it feels like too much. Listen to what you need.
Let these first few days of 2014 be full of more ease and less perfection or a need to do anything because it seems like you are supposed to.
Sending you light and love today,
Liz
If you are drawn to this practice but don't want to choose a word, I created the star shine necklace for you.
Or if you just wish someone would just choose a word for you, the "Mystery Soul Mantra" necklace might be for you. Add a sentence or two with where you are right now on your path in the "Notes to Seller" box over on Etsy, and I'll hold you in my thoughts and heart for a moment, breathe deeply, and choose one for you from my little bowl of Soul Mantras.
one word in soul mantras
Reader Comments (4)
Amaxing. Thanks for sharing that as it is a timely reminder. xo
As always, you are so kind and insightful. I thought I immediately knew my "ONE" word for 2014 a few months ago--and have been feeling so strange the past few days as another has stitched its way through my every moment. Why on earth can't I have two? (I can!) (Silly voices in my head. Of course I can. I could string a twinkly strand of words across my heart, weave them through my hair, count them with each freckle.) Thank you for this. I'm embracing & loving my two (for now) words. Gratefully.
I've sort of been feeling I have the wrong word. That I jumped ahead. (This is my first year). That I should be working on my worthiness, or lack thereof, or trust, again, none. But in the last day I've come to realize that this word does have something to teach me. That maybe I need to open myself up a bit then the rest will come down the road. Thanks for your kind and understanding post. Michelle t.
The start necklace is beautiful.