I’m back. Meeting my parents has resulted in draining all thoughts out of my head as always. As a result I have a jumble of half-thoughts and half-posts in my head. So, instead of trying to write about the new things that I learned about myself and about my parents, the food, the presents and my son being sick on Christmas I’ll write about the word I chose instead of my New Year’s resolutions.
Today Christine Kane wrote about her ritual for the New Year. Instead of making resolutions she picks a word to focus on for every year. When I first read it I thought, “I could never focus on just one thing!” And that’s part of my problem. When I read her list of words though the one that spoke to me immediately was “effortlessness”. I even googled it to find the German translation: “Mühelosigkeit” And that in itself was an example for my quest for effortlessness, because usually when I need a word translated I go to that dictionary site that I haven’t even bookmarked. I have to think about its url and get it wrong every time. This time I just googled and there it was.
Since I’m coming from the land of deep protestant work ethics, it is hard for me to accept that even things that matter might come effortlessly. When I was a teenager I even said no to somebody who wanted me to sing backing vocals on his record. Just because I thought it had to be a mean joke. Because that was exactly what I wanted. Later I found out that it was a true offer. Pity.
Something in my mind still thinks that hard work and suffering is needed for everything important. I even managed to take the fun out of the things that I love most. Since I’m trying to change, and since I’m a Leo and don’t like to sweat and suffer, I have been trying to do what Sonia Choquette tells us to do; for the past months I have been asking the universe, and my spirit guides to help me. To send presents. And my life definitely has improved. My job in this is to be grateful and talk about what I received. I write down everything that has come my way in my gratitude journal.
Most things that I attempt to do still seem to be hard and strenuous. So for the next year I will focus on effortlessness. My life will be flowing in the right direction without the feeling of pushing a big stone uphill. Just wait and see. What will you be focusing on next year?
I wish you all the best. Thank you for visiting and reading. See you again next year.
Technorati Tags: self-help
Excellent idea! (I’m recovering from visiting parents as well…)
It’s great that you’re doing the gratitude journal and taking the time to notice the gifts that ARE flowing in. That’s the key I think… (especially for those of us who are used to struggling.)
I like the new name of your blog, btw!
Excellent idea! (I’m recovering from visiting parents as well…)
It’s great that you’re doing the gratitude journal and taking the time to notice the gifts that ARE flowing in. That’s the key I think… (especially for those of us who are used to struggling.)
I like the new name of your blog, btw!
I read Christine’s post, but didn’t pick a word yet. I’m just feeling pleased that I’m not stressed out about cleaning up. I’m going to take my time and make sure the christmas decorations get put away in an orderly fashion, and then move on to the rest of the organization tasks I identified as energy leaks.
I read Christine’s post, but didn’t pick a word yet. I’m just feeling pleased that I’m not stressed out about cleaning up. I’m going to take my time and make sure the christmas decorations get put away in an orderly fashion, and then move on to the rest of the organization tasks I identified as energy leaks.
I think you picked a great word. Now i have to think of one that is that great for me.
I think you picked a great word. Now i have to think of one that is that great for me.
“Effortlessness” would be a good one for me because I’m always thinking too much, going against the flow and generally running into obstacles. But I guess that’s who I am, and if I changed something as fundamental as that about myself, I’d be someone else. And then I’d have to figure everything out all over again…
“Effortlessness” would be a good one for me because I’m always thinking too much, going against the flow and generally running into obstacles. But I guess that’s who I am, and if I changed something as fundamental as that about myself, I’d be someone else. And then I’d have to figure everything out all over again…
there you are…glad you are back.
i like the idea of picking one word….but i can’t figure out what my word could be.
there you are…glad you are back.
i like the idea of picking one word….but i can’t figure out what my word could be.
Hi there…how could you possibly lack focus!! You successfully completed the Nanowromo gruelling schedule, that is absolutely admirable! Hmm I like your word though I think mine would be release. It’s a lovely idea, picking up a single word and working towards it. Thanks and to Christine as well. Hurrah for the new year. Am not too sure where exactly you are based. My baby sister is married to a German and lives in Frankfurt:) Cheers and yes, from what I have heard Germans are the most hardworking folk around! Here’s to Effortlessness and release in the New Year!
Hi there…how could you possibly lack focus!! You successfully completed the Nanowromo gruelling schedule, that is absolutely admirable! Hmm I like your word though I think mine would be release. It’s a lovely idea, picking up a single word and working towards it. Thanks and to Christine as well. Hurrah for the new year. Am not too sure where exactly you are based. My baby sister is married to a German and lives in Frankfurt:) Cheers and yes, from what I have heard Germans are the most hardworking folk around! Here’s to Effortlessness and release in the New Year!