The start of 2013 has felt slow and tentative for me. At about 11:15 on New Year's Eve I felt a burning sensation in my eyes, an ache in my ears, and a scratchy sore throat. Just like that. Hmmm... I'm getting sick, I thought.
Sure enough, the next morning I woke with sniffles and a heavy head. Oh what fun. Here we are on day four of this not so lovely unwelcomed guest, and I've yet to feel fully immersed in that 'new year glow'. Oh, how I love a good new year glow.
It feels like I'm in a place of limbo, waiting for the desired energy to whip our home and fresh routines into shape, and put 2012 to rest. I love closure and I love new beginnings. (Although I don't so much care for surprise closure and new beginnings.)
{Sweet little dish from Melissa of Bridgman Pottery.}
I'm in a place of right now. I have to be. Watching my body heal and offering patience to myself, because naturally I'd like for healing to happen quickly and these things take time. Knowing that time is probably what I need most right now.
Having traveled between Christmas and New Year's Eve left me without the space between. You know the space, the timeless pause between December 25th and January 1st. Goodness there's nothing like it, is there? This year was the first year we missed that bubble of timelessness... but it seems I'm getting to sit in that space for a bit anyway. Funny how it all works out like that.
Early in December I started looking ahead to 2013, what I might like to feel and experience in the new year. Some people make resolutions, some people choose words... for several years now I've set a theme (so to speak) for each new year. It's not much different really than choosing a word, but it feels a little broader, more of an intention that I can return to at anytime as needed. And I don't always limit it to one thing. Also, I don't think too hard about it, whatever I need to focus on seems to present itself as one year closes and another begins. My job is simply to pay attention, and to show up for the task.
The thoughts, themes, intentions (or whatever they should be called) that came to me for 2013 are radical healing, art journaling, and inspired stewardship. Totally unplanned, they each arrived and settled into my being over the last month. I'm feeling grateful and curious as I carry them with me into 2013.
What exactly do each of them mean? Well, in part it is obvious, but there are some subtle thoughts around each that I'll keep quietly to myself. Sometimes when you speak aloud of certain things, their true essence is impossible to put words to.
Here's to each of us bringing ourselves fully into 2013. Let's show up for the work and the joy of it all, and may we each find continued growth on this journey.
