For the past few Decembers, as I have anticipated the start of a new year and have set my intentions and goals, a word has chosen me. That’s not a typo. Yes; the word has chosen me. By that, I mean that I have not deliberately set out to choose a word, or theme, for the year, as it has come to me all on its own. One year, the word meaningful presented itself to me. Elevate sought me out another year. This year was different, though.
Instead of one word finding its way to me, three words actually did. Healthy. Abundant. Love. Rather than only accepting one invitation for 2020, I accepted all three of them. So, we headed off into the new year and, not long after, straight into the ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 outbreak.
So, here we are, healthy, abundant, love, me, and COVID-19. When every day conversations began to include words and phrases, such as social distancing, flattening the curve, self-isolation, PPEs, quarantine, and lockdown, my three words temporarily were lost in the din. They waited patiently, and sometimes, not so patiently, for me to return my energy and focus to them, and they reminded me that words are my lifeline, especially now.
Those three words have helped me to focus on what I can control, my thoughts and my feelings, instead of what I cannot control, pretty much everything else. When I focus on thoughts of good health, abundance in all areas of my life, and love for myself and others, my view of the world, others, and myself softens, and my anxiety and fear begin to subside. When I choose a positive thought, it tends to lead to a positive action. It’s chain reaction, and I have control over whether it is a positive or negative thought that sets everything in motion.
When I intentionally choose a positive thought, or at least, even a slightly less negative thought, I tend to feel better emotionally, physically, and spiritually. This is definitely not to say that I don’t have moments when my brain goes on automatic pilot and straight to the worst case scenario, and I am gripped by fear and anxiety. It happens, and eventually, it ends.
Recently, my three words called in some reinforcement, in the form of a phrase. How do I want to show up in the world today? I have begun to pose this question to myself at the start of every day, and I revisit it throughout the day. It’s a powerful statement, as it reminds me that I have a choice in how I show up, regardless of the circumstances, even COVID-19.
Some days, I show up as the very best version of myself. Motivated. Positive. Loving. Engaged. Present. Other days, it is all I can do to show up at all, and I show up looking differently. Anxious. Fearful. Worried. Irritated. Both versions, and all of the versions in between, are ones I have learned to accept and to love. I just prefer the best version, and so do the people in my life.
Words are powerful indeed, especially the words that comprise our thoughts. I have a choice in how I show up in the world, and in every situation, I have the freedom to select thoughts that serve myself and others well or ones that don’t. It’s that easy and that complex, and it all comes down to choice. My choice. And yours.
That’s another story . . .
Categories: That's Another Story
That's Another Story 
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