WRITING + YOGA = SAME SAME
I’m a word-loving yogi. Writing, and the power of the written word, gets my mojo going almost as much as my yoga practice. I feel the same connection to the flow of the universe when I’m absorbed in getting something down on paper (or on-screen) as I do when I’m flowing on my mat.

WHITE HOT TRUTH
So White Hot Truth maven Danielle LaPorte’s practice of selecting three guiding terms for the year resonates deeply with me. I spend much of December mulling them over, trying them on, and tuning into how they feel in my heart.

Last year, my words were:
let ~ truth ~ love

Here’s why:
I wanted to let go, let be, not to force things or try to make something happen. I wanted to be authentic and speak my truth, even if I felt afraid of what others might think of that. And I wanted to love, love, love. I could write paragraph after paragraph about how these words powerfully and positively affected my life last year–but I’ll just let you read the post on the biggie, if you’re interested.

ONE YEAR IN THREE WORDS
This year, my words are:
yes ~ shine ~ acceptance

Here’s why:
YES I want to be even more open to the opportunities the universe sends my way. I’m a big planner. I like to map things out, get things done, set intentions and goals and achieve them, step-by-step. But sometimes I can get too caught up in my plan. Sometimes I can be a bit too rigid about following it, even if it means saying ‘no’ to something I’d love to do, someone I’d love to connect with, or an experience that would rock my world. So, this year, I’m a yes-girl. I’ve already seen how this is bringing more ease and flow and beauty into my life. As John Lennon said:

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

SHINE I realized I often compartmentalize, or minimize myself around people–showing only the side of myself I think they’ll be most comfortable with and least challenged by: yogi, writer, newly-minted painter, entrepreneur, communications pro, old high school friend, sister, daughter, business woman. I’m all of these things, plus more–as a lot of women are–but by choosing to show only one, or maybe two of these roles to the people I care about I’m doing both them and me a disservice. In the words of Marianne Williamson, co-leader of the United States Department of Peace movement:

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve
the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

ACCEPTANCE This one is synonymous in my mind with non-judging, and the Sanskrit term Maitri: unconditional friendship with oneself. I want to be more accepting of other people, and, since I know all change starts within, that means working on becoming ever more accepting of myself. In the words of Pema Chodron:

Namaste,

Lindsey