The temptation was right in front of me.
The first day of the next year of my life. With pen in hand and a blank page staring back at me I was prepared to commit to paper an extensive list of all the things I was going to accomplish in the next 12 months. The goals, the experiences, the desired outcomes. The new daily routines I’d militantly follow to make everything on that page come to life.
I’ve set bold intentions for many of my years. While accomplishing a great many things on those lists, more often than not their attainment felt rather hollow. I expected my desired outcomes to be sources of peace and fulfillment, pressuring the outcomes to be far more than they were capable of becoming.
Instead of creating yet another grand manifesto for the year to come, I instead opted for something far less bold. On that blank page in front of me I thought about how I want to feel this new year. As I began to contemplate what that would look like the words began to come through me. Present. Engaged. Creative. Trusting. Abundant. Grateful. Patient. Purposeful. Accepting. Detached. Authentic.
Feelings that only come from within.
There are still many things I intend on accomplishing and experiencing this year. But these powerful words are the framework for what I will be willing to attain and experience.
Eleven words.
One life.
My life.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
