"We are all wanderers on this earth...our hearts are full of wonder, and our souls are deep with dreams." ~ Gypsy proverb

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

In a word and a gift....

"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny." ~ Unknown


I do love words, probably more than I should. It is that part of me that enjoys defining things, creating boundaries and edges to things I can't see but only feel. Last year I had this quote on my blog for nearly the entire year:

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked pensively. "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar." ~ Trina Paulus, Hope for the Flowers

Evolve was my word for 2011. With the blog still being fairly new, and with the discovery of other blogs giving me daily inspiration, I felt change already happening within. I felt that 2011 was going to be about redefining myself, and it was more than I could have ever hoped for. And as if the universe had one last push for me, the last quarter of 2011 brought about the selling of our house, opening the door to pursue our dream of moving to the mountains.

So, for 2012, Open is what I have chosen. With my eyes, heart, and mind wide open-- this is how I want to receive 2012. With release of expectations, surrender of control, and the squelching of fear, I want to accept whatever this year has to offer. And I want to enjoy the ride!! I want to breathe in the adventure that awaits, and I want to acknowledge that these moments are not just countless minutes passing by, but the infusion of life into long awaited dreams.


And now a gift for you to help kick off the new year. Last year, through Soule Mama, I discovered the Moon Phase Calendar. I ADORE this calendar and know you will too. The winner will receive the black and white 2012 calendar. To enter, just leave a comment below, maybe telling me what your word is for the year :). If you want one additional chance, you can blog or post on Facebook or Twitter. I will randomly choose a winner next Monday January 9.


Postings again may be sparse this week as I continue to nurse my girl (104 temp!), begin the arduous task of packing, and try to catch up on your spaces. Cheers to you!!!

xoxo

27 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, 104! I do hope she is better soon as that is a scary temp! Have you called the doctor? Sending you ALL lots of healing thoughts MJ.
    My year has been named Grace. All blessings, and really, everything is a blessing whether we know it or not, are Grace. It is something I am trying to remind myself of daily.

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  2. Oh, how I love the book "Hope for the Flowers." Open - what a great word for the new year. My word? Joy. I need to add more of it to my life, to my family's life.

    The Lunar Phase calendar looks really cool!

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  3. I do hope your daughter gets better soon, and I also hope that no one catches the bug. Love your theme this year!!

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  4. Beautifully put - you're an inspiration. I have loved watching you evolve through this space, and I so look forward to the things you share as you remain to all that this year will bring. So sorry your girl is sick, though. Will be thinking of you!

    This concept of choosing a word for the year is new to me, but I gave it some thought after reading another blogger's post about her word, and I think mine is Prioritize. There are so many things I have felt obligated to do in the past year, and they have taken time away from the pursuits that really fill me up. This year, I want to be more intentional about what I choose to take responsibility for. I'm excited to see how it goes!

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  5. Patience. Possibly my word for life, rather than just the year. (:

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  6. Oh, a beautiful post MJ. Isn't the power of a word amazing! For me that always makes my choice of word so much harder knowing that it has the power to truly define my year!

    I've narrowed it to two: calm or home...still not sure which will be chosen.

    Sending wishes for a healthy house there soon!

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  7. Dear mj, I think the quote you have is Native American based, and the power of thought. And that thought is a prayer, what you think is essentially a prayer, which is believed to release energy.
    Maybe choosing a word is like finding your totem, I mean that maybe it chooses you. I love Tracey's word grace, it's my favorite word. But I think faith might be the word that chooses me this year.
    Healing thoughts and love are being sent to your girl.
    xxx

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  8. Oh my, I hope your girlie is better soon-sending you and her healing thoughts! I love the word for this year-just wonderful! Happy New Year!
    xo,
    Ang

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  9. An open heart and an open mind - so beautiful and perfect! You're going to have an amazing year, I just know it.

    I hope your little one is feeling much better soon.

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  10. 104?! Healing energy being sent to your little one!
    Ahhh... once again a breath of fresh air from your words. I think my word for 2012 is blissipline. I heard it last year and it resonated. I am making it a priority this year to live in bliss and do my best to help others find theirs. It will take practice, but I am strong enough ;)

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  11. Sending healing thoughts and lots of strength your way for your sweet girl!! Not sure I have a word for the year, but will give it some thought. I enjoyed reading about yours! Happy New Year!

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  12. Open....yes, this word is perfect. I do believe I'll keep it mind for this year as well!

    Much love to your little girl!

    xo
    cortnie

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  13. Open is a very good way to be and sometimes harder to achieve than one might think, so I think it's a great choice for the year.

    I do hope your little girl feels better soon. Nobody will mind if you blog less, of course family and life are more important.

    Thanks for your lovely comment and the compliment :-)

    Love from London xo

    PS: Of course you are now entered in my little giveaway, good luck xo

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  14. fevers are so tiring for everyone involved. we've worked through a few, by staying cool, calm, and attentive. hope your girl's does its work and eases off soon.

    i especially love your 2012 word.

    lovely calendar.

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  15. i am choosing the same word as you because it is so fitting for our next move as well. we are moving to a place we are not choosing to move to, a place that when you tell people you are moving there make a depressing kind of comment. so, i'm choosing to be open to what life will bring there, including a new baby, a new home, a new rhythm and routine for us all in new surroundings - albeit not the ones we would envision for ourselves. perhaps we'll find things we love about the place - i do hope so... being open will allow me to see. i hope the little one is already better and that you are staying strong mama!

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  16. Hooray! Open is a wonderful word and an incredible way to start the new year!! I hope that your little one starts feeling better soon. Sending positive energy. xo

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  17. I absolutely love the quote you started this post with! And I think that "Open" and your reflections on that as being the word you've chosen for this year are wonderful. I think I may follow in your footsteps and see if I can't make this my word, too. As for the moon calendar - what a great little thing to have. I find myself constantly gazing out the window at night to see what the moon looks like.

    Thanks for the great giveaway and the inspiration. I truly hope your little ones fever has already broken and she's felling better very soon.

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  18. Shared this post on my FB page:
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=357085450973789&id=126706030729165

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  19. Open. Perfect.

    Mine is Mindful. I'm trying to be more fully engaged in every moment, rather than waiting for the "next thing" to happen. I was struck by something a friend said recently, that "we are never satisfied with time - it is either going too slowly or not fast enough. So, I really am trying to be more present.

    Love the moon calendar!

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  20. What a great word. I love Rachel's word Aspire...Now I must think of my own. Love that moon calendar.

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  21. i do love to join! -its not weird i got you under the philosophers ; )

    i will tweet about it so i hope i am getting two lodds

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  22. oh, I love it- a word for the year.
    I have to think about that.
    In the meantime...
    Love you and kisses to your girl.
    XO
    C

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  23. i am so thankful to you for buying my book!! can you please drop me an e-mail about that ? xxx

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  24. "Transformation". I am ready for butterfly-hood.
    Thanks for your beautiful words, as always.
    www.dcqualter.blogspot.com

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  25. Open! I like it- I still haven't settled on a word! I've been rolling it around in my head and heart for a few weeks but just haven't hit it yet. Glad baby girl is better! 104 is scary- calendar looks great for homeschool & fishing! :)

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  26. Happy New Year! Thank you again for the beautiful poem of courage you posted on Amanda's blog. I read it every day. I don't have a word for the new year (yet) ... it will likely take all month to present itself. Hope the packing is going well and that you all had a lovely holiday season. Thanks for the calendar giveaway, too. xoxo

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  27. I was thinking..."let go" but that's 2 words...so I'll shorten it to "flow", yes, that'll do. I hope to better learn how to go with the flow of life rather than struggle against the changing currents.

    My mom gave me that book "Hope for the Flowers" recently and I'm still a bit confused by it. I felt like the message was something that was supposed to be profound...but it escapes me. What did it mean to you?

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“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
~ George Bernard Shaw