My word for 2016

Ever since I was introduced to Susannah Conway’s Unraveling workbook, I’ve been sending it to my friends and family like I’m her brand ambassador. In a sense, I am exactly that. I love the positive energy that comes from reflecting on the year that’s passing and plotting out steps for the next 12 months.

Part of the Unraveling workbook makes you choose a word for the year. As Susannah puts it, your word is “a mantra, a meditation, a reminder, a promise. A word can be interpreted in different ways. A word can’t be “broken” — it feels gentler somehow.” I agree.

My words in the past have been a powerful force that helped guide me through the year. When I did or said anything, I thought, “Does this fall in line with your word for the year?” I definitely fell short sometimes, but having a word for the year helped me get back on track.

In 2015, I was all about the word “order.”

My 2016 word is INTENTIONAL. I realize that when I make a conscious effort to do or say something, the results are very powerful. And now that my inner light is back, I need to focus on protecting who and what is in my space. What I’m doing, saying, participating in, and visiting, reading and loving all need to be intentional so that I can maintain and spread this light. My intentions will send my light to places, people and things in a way that surpasses how I have in the past.

I asked a few of my friends to share their word with me and why they chose it. Here’s a bit of what they shared:

• Adventure: I want to be unusual and exciting in every aspect of my life: career, relationship, spirituality. I want to try something new and keep it fresh!

• Cultivation: Every year, I focus on something new, but this year, I want to sharpen my skills and hone my craft. I want to build upon my strengths.

• Driven: My vision board is all about taking a conscious effort on my part. I wanted to remind myself that I need to work hard to achieve everything I want. 

• Expectancy: I need to work more on really expecting good things to happen instead of worrying about it not.

• Fierce: I want to have a sense of urgency that forces me to focus.

• Legacy: I just started a family and I’m thinking about how to start and carry on traditions.

• Magic: “Life is tricky baby. Stay in your magic.” I’m often reminded how impactful my energy is and this year, I know the atmosphere feels different. 

• Manifest: I'm learning that after I get understanding, then it's time for me to bring it forth into the physical.

• Release: I want to let go of resentment and hurt from my past. I want to be free to love myself.

• Yes: A simple word with lot of meaning.

WHAT'S YOUR WORD FOR 2016?