“Dance with your sacred rhythm.”
-Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind
I've said it before, but I'll say it again... Ali Edwards's One Little Word workshop is the single most important self-care splurge I make each year. (And, at $31, it's hardly a splurge!)
The choosing of a word that will guide my year is one of my favorite traditions, and the monthly prompts remind me to check in with my word throughout the year as well as give me the excuse to play with my craft supplies for an hour or so each month. This is my sixth year to align myself with a word [2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015], and this year I am looking at life through the lens of the word "rhythm."
The word rhythm came to me in a conversation with Callie over Christmas break. Then as I wrapped up my 2015 album, I was struck by how many times I used the word last year to describe the weeks and months that felt good. The times when things seemed to fall into place.
In
2016 I'm striving to find rhythm in my days. A little bit predictable, but not necessarily repetitive and boring. A
foundation to fall back on when things out of my control try to wreak
havoc.
I want to live into the rhythms of our daily life. I want to celebrate
the smallness of our everyday. I want to find comfort in our routines. I
want to stay focused on the needs of my family. I want to cultivate
good, healthy habits. I want to practice my values until they become
second nature.
I already see rhythm at work in my life in the routines that I've created
both intentionally and serendipitously. As we waded through the newborn
phase last year, I relied on these rituals for strength, connection, and
to get keep the damn floor clean.
I often remind myself that there are seasons to life. And that I don't have to find the perfect solution for all time, just the right solution for right now.
I'm excited to see what happens this year as I lean into routines and
habits... when I silence the noise and focus on my guiding values. I hope
to find an internal peace and harmony that will infuse throughout our
family. I can't wait to watch Silas learn and grow and to hold his hand
along the way. I'm also eager to see the impact that the he{art} and
soul collective (the creator's group that Callie and I are hosting) makes in my life as well as the other contributors.
On the other hand...
As excited as I am about watching Silas grow as an individual, I
also feel the weight of my responsibility to guide him. I fear that I
will not be able to give him the strong foundation that he needs. I fear that things out of my control will disrupt our days and leave me feeling stressed and frustrated. I
fear that I will not be able to savor the moments of Silas being
little. That I will forget what these wonderful moments feel like. I
fear that I might find drudgery and resentment in the routines and find
myself wishing for more spontaneity, freedom, and excitement.
Follow my progress and be inspired!
Let the rhythm move you!
