water: a practice, a companion, a teacher
water . customizable heart necklace in the shop
The word "water" kept showing up in unexpected ways this year. I think it began with this mug from The Universe Knows that I chose for myself when I gave them at the Pen & Paper Retreat in March. I started to think about what "be like water" could mean and why I was so drawn to the phrase.
mug from the universe knows
I kept picturing the way water flows in a creek through the middle of the woods as it turns and gathers small bits of things to carry downstream. It brought up the idea of creating space to invite in more ease and be open to the flow of things, especially things that are out of my control.
But of course water isn't always full of ease. There is the unpredictable power of the force that is the ocean. Standing at the edge of the ocean this summer while looking at layers of flotsam surrounding me, I had an image of the ocean as a womb that holds more than one could ever understand. Kind of like a woman. As I stood at the edge of the Pacific Ocean that day, I held hands with fear and bravery and made the choice to open up to an image of home while the waves crashed and the wind blew my hair and favorite green sweater.
Then there are the ways that I have felt parched this year. My body, my heart, my mind, my soul. Through the deep realization that I choose whether I water these parched parts of me came a new kinship with the word water. And it guided my decision to create a new series of programs with the theme "Water Your Soul."
In the last few weeks, the idea that I should claim this word as my teacher and guide kept tapping on me. I started brainstorming all it might mean: sea, space, salt, wave, parched, blues, flotsam, flow, lemon, quench, seaglass, womb, whales, kindreds, circling, mighty, ease, depth, courageous, lifeline, wandering, the earth's rhythm, the way home.
As I look to 2013, this is what I know: I want to create even more space within my home, my mind, my business, my family. I want to quench my unspoken desires. I want to invite in ease and trust the flow of things. I want to own all that rests inside me. I want to unearth my own unexplored darkness. I want to nourish and reconnect with my body. I want to spend more time with mother ocean. I want to find the rhythm of my own tide within.
So I'm going to spend time with water this year. I'm opening up to what it has to teach me as I navigate whatever is to come.
Your Word
Are you choosing a word or phrase to guide you in 2013? I would love to hear about your word and why you are choosing it. Please share in the comments or send over an email.
new three circles necklace in the shop
I am also excited to share that I've added a few new customizable options in the shop that would be beautiful talismans for your word or mantra of the year, including this new three circles necklace that can hold words from past years or multiple words or a short phrase.
If you are still looking for your word and feel drawn to choose one, think about doing the exercise I shared yesterday without a word in mind. You could just start writing, "2013 was the year I..." and see what surfaces for you. You could also explore the growing list of words and stories over on Ali's blog. So much inspiration found there. Or you could listen to my recording of the 2012 words over on Ali's site to see what word(s) taps at you.
And I feel moved to share that I am a "word person," so this exercise deeply speaks to me. I love words. I want to eat them with a spoon. And when I read poetry, sometimes I do actually feel like I'm devouring them. However, this practice might not speak to you. That is okay. Maybe there is a piece of art or song or quote that you see as a guide for you right now. Maybe there is a blessing, a prayer, a poem that you plan to reflect on daily or monthly. You can use this exercise as a jumping off point for so many ideas.
My intention with this practice is to give myself an access point for self-reflection each month. Working with the word "whole" in 2012 really pushed me to live deeper and wider and be less stagnant. I work with several mantras at any given time and often choose a new one at the beginning of a season or when something is shifting in my life. And taking the time to choose one word at the beginning of a new year just feels right for me.
liz lamoreux
Reader Comments (19)
i love. i love. i love. this.
Hi Liz,
I'm so glad you posted about this. I love the idea of words to frame the year and last year chose TRUST. It was a hard one for me - trusting that the universe was wiser than I, trusting myself to do my own work and let what would happen, happen. Honestly, I still feel like I have work to do with trust, so I am keeping it as a b-side to my word for 2013, which will be NOURISH. I really enjoy the idea of being centred in nourishment, and having my every (hopefully) action guided by that precept.
xoxo (www.twitter.com/beetrix)
The river carves it's way through the canyon, not because of its strength, but its persistence.
I wrote about my word earlier today and then amended it, with a different word that was bouncing around in my head. It's here: http://tatterededge.blogspot.ca/2012/12/word.html
I'm still figuring it out.
What a great word. I have a word that keeps coming up for me but I keep pushing it down because it doesn't feel like a pretty word: Revel. Yep I just need to listen and go with it!
My 2012 word was SEEK and for 2013 it's SELF-CARE. It's what we all need but very few give ourselves.
My husband said to me last night, "be like water - flow with everything that is happening." Then I land here in your beautiful space, with the same reminder. I love the synchronicity of the Universe. When my word speaks to me, I'll be over to your etsy shop for a bracelet. Thank you for sharing your heart & wisdom, and for allowing your creativity to flow in so many ways.
I have chosen a word each year for almost 10 years and have been amazed to see it catch on with others. This past year my word was Passion. It was a word I did struggle with as it felt like I should take more action with the word, but as the year ends I realize I just needed to sit with it in the palm of my hand and notice.
The word that has chosen me is dance. It's not a word I would have chosen but it found its way to me and it makes me laugh and feel joyous when I think of it. This year has been quite heavy and serious filled with massive amounts of healing. 2013 is my year to dance.
Beautiiful, Liz! (and everyone sharing!) This is my third year choosing a yearly guiding word- for 2011 it was shine and in 2012 it was open. I had not yet begun the "work" of choosing my word for 2013, but then suddenly found that a word chose ME, in the most surprising place (yet, perhaps not, after reading your words!), which was as I stood under the stream of soothing hot water in the shower last week! I too was unsure about the "validity" of the word since I had not even yet (consciously!) been thinking about it...but. ahhh...the soul knows what the soul needs! As the word started slowly but surely sinking softly and securely into my psyche, and I felt the need to further explore, research and discover the meanings of this word and what it could mean for me. I continue to fall more and more in love with this word,and am excited to fully embrace it to allow it to work it's magic for me this new year. My word for 2013 is tend.
Here is a poem or story prompt for your journal:
write a story true or fiction about water
I love this! So many ways to think about water. So interesting.
In 2012 i chose the word responsibility and I've learned so much about myself over the last year having chosen that word. It really taught me the ways I was taking on too much or too little responsibility and it changed a lot for me in the way of boundaries. You just never know what it is you're going to learn when you embrace a word for the year.
I have chosen "soar" as my word for 2013. I am excited to see what it brings in the new year.
I think my word for 2013 is "peace" - 2012 was stressful in terms of handling all my emotions, and this year I really want to feel at peace with myself, my relationships, my food relationship, peace with my body..... Just want to feel emotionally stable, and calm x
I am still searching for my word but i love reading what others have chosen
(or what has chosen them)....i have a few ideas floating about
we'll see what comes up...
:) xo
This is my third year of selecting a word/intention for myself. I loved embracing Fearless in 2010, Shine in 2011 and Clarity this past year. For me it has been like a touchstone for those moments when I get lost and then I remember my word and look to see how I might evoke that quality right now in whatever small way may be accessible.
I have been thinking Presence might be my word for 2013 although listening to you read your list, I loved the expression you gave to the word Possibility. Hmm ... sitting with both right now and will see.
I also love LOVE the soul mantra necklace you selected for me - Light. How fitting given Clarity is what I have been working on and my daughter's name means clear, light. I so wanted to name her Satya (truth) but my grounded Nebraskan husband was not too keen on a Sanskrit name!
xo Lis
A thought-provoking post. I love the concept of Be Like Water. (I also like the mug and its colour).
My Moon is in Scorpio, a water sign, so I am drawn to water emotionally, perhaps you are too or your rising sign may be a Water one.
I love hearing the stories about everyone's words! My word this year is love. I'm so happy about it! Liz I will be ordering a necklace as soon as I get the credit card paid off! Xxoo
My word for 2013 is TRUST. My word always picks me.....this is my third year choosing a word.....2011 was Believe......and 2012 was Release......and boy did those words show up for me! Trust is hard for me.....I want to Trust the Universe.....Trust myself....my intuition......I am looking forward to where Trust takes me this coming year!!
My word this year is CHANGE. In 2011 it was Courage, in 2012 Rest. I think the last 2 years have been preparing me for this year. I have a feeling I'm in for a wild ride :)
Love this post Liz and I love your book "Inner Excavations".
I've been working my way through it as you can see from my last post -
http://brizdazz.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/reflections-and-shadows.html
My word for 2013,and probably for every other year to follow would have to be SYNC,as synchronicity plays a bit part in my life and where it heads...much like a flowing stream,I guess?
Another group of words I like is "Like A Rock". It's a shame you don't sell those flat stones that you display your jewelry on with that phrase carved or painted on a rock.
I like your jewelry Liz,but being a guy I wish you made them into key-rings as well,as the car keys I have to pick up everyday,so a word in amongst the house/car keys would be noticed...you might say it would be my KEYWORD .-)
There you go,KEYWORDS could be a new line of merchandise for your shop.
Happy 2013.
Cheers.