Quotes (for me and maybe for you, too)

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As the light slowly begins to return to the Northern hemisphere, so does change. At least for me. For reasons I’ll write about soon, these quotes speak to me, and I hope, for you as well.

Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns. –Anne Lamott The root of the problem lies in the way we deal with change. Most of us feel soinsecure that we want to create a structure around us makes us feel safe and then wedon’t want it to change. Any change increases our uncertainty and our confusion andour inadequacy. And it frightens us Think of how bizarre that is, because you are a part of nature. Look out there, and youshow me something out there that isn’t changing. The nature of things is that theychange, including us. Do you see how you’re in a losing strategy if you pit yourselfagainst change? See, it’s a losing game. -Ram Dass

The road to something is the start of something.

–K. GiselleBasilwango

…Only we can create that change—with skills like cooperation, community, cohesion, collaboration—that will see us through this dark night of the planet’s soul. The roots of each word is “co”, meaning together. Only with others can we create a kind, flourishing world. However (and this is hard), it means banishing the idea that your outrage and effort alone can fix this. It can’t. Only together can we right the wrongs, heal what has been broken, and over come the obstacles ahead. Together.

-JenHofmann jen@jenniferhofmann.com

 

Word for the Year

A few years ago my best friends and I tapped into a new way of making New Year’s resolutions. Instead of the usual hope to lose a few pounds, be more productive, or find meaningful relationships, we decided to choose a word of the year.

As a writer, this idea made me mucho manic. How could I possibly choose just one word to follow or resonate with the entire year? I’m a woman of words. Choose one? For 365 days? No way. But my friends urged me forward. The first year, our initial list looked like something construed by Hallmark’s creative team. The brainstorm included, but was not limited to, the following:

Inspiration                   Peace               Forgiveness

Imagination                 Joy                   Clarity

Motivation                  Trust                Purpose

Intention                     Faith                Humor

Kindness                     Love                Light

Gentle                         Be                    Gratitude

Believe                        Energy             Creativity

The first year I chose clarity, and throughout the year, I found it again and again. It hung above my head and pushed me through indecision and inner turmoil. Sometimes, when life seemed brutality murky, I didn’t understand why I’d chosen the word. But in the end, it made sense.

Last year, I picked light. Wouldn’t you know? It became one of the darkest years on record. Three kids started three new schools, a few health issues surfaced, rejection piled up, memory of my Dad haunted me relentlessly, our dog of 15 years died, as did my cousin and more than one local friend. Where the heck was the light? By early December I felt drowned and defeated. And then, like Christmas magic, the light appeared, dimly at first. I stopped fighting the yuck, my brain began to move beyond, the grief settled, and divine spirit grabbed a hold. Just like that the light brightened.

It’s amazing what just ONE word can do. If you’re a writer it won’t be easy, but give it a try. Choose a word to tap into throughout the year and see what it brings. My word for 2012 is SPIRIT. Good luck and have fun!