A brilliant gift passed onto me back in the 80’s is a simple yet powerful ritual I have utilized ever since. I want to share it with you today as part of my Covid19 tool box rituals to help bring you to your Bright Optimistic Place…
It’s vital for me to create a special block of time at certain points in the year to reboot. Usually Spring and at the end of the year. I like to embrace the New Year coming and reflect on the year that’s passing. During this time, I perform my favourite key rituals. I try to keep the full day free on 30th of December if possible and a couple of afternoons in December to be prepared. The ritual I am sharing with you today is a simple, magical, inspirational process similar to a dream board ritual it involves setting intentions, however instead of a list of intentions, or goals we aim to put in place when setting out our New Year’s resolutions (most of which, we don’t actually stick to) in this easy, mindful, holistic ritual one word only is selected as your overall value system and the key intention focus for the coming year. You keep coming back to your one word to help you stay on track. I was totally astonished when I first did this ritual all those years ago, at just how powerful choosing a single word to guide you through life’s challenges could be and how it had such a profound impact. It was totally life changing. Over the years this ritual has provided focus, comfort, happiness and a feeling of connection, a truly liberating experience. The power of one little word!
Your special core word becomes a guiding principle, a shining light, a compass word for a chosen period of time, always coming back to that word. It’s like an inspirational mantra that guides your actions, dreams, themes, codes of conduct and the things you want to manifest more of in the coming year, keeping you focused on whats important to you! I think now during Covid19 it might be a very useful ritual for you to do to find comfort, focus and stability. This practice should help you understand yourself more deeply, it will help you align with your true values, motivations and aspirations for the present and the future as we come out of this period of great challenge. It will keep you on track, reboot and help you focus on what is important for you.
So, grab a cuppa and let’s choose your special word
To give you an example I will share the word I chose for 2020. For some additional context I had big plans for 2020 that involved lots of huge changes in my life. No time like a New Decade to get those big shifts started. I had been musing over these changes for a couple of years and 2020 was to be the year to put my plans into action, I was ready... With Covid19 those plans have now been put on hold for a while however never has a chosen word been more appropriate or important to help face the challenge of this present global situation. The word I chose was CALM… I dont mean calm as in sitting crossed legged repeating the word calm over and over again (which isn’t a bad idea) for me the word is meant to keep me from going off track, not getting caught up in things that take me away from my “calmness” it’s how I wanted to feel each day as I approached the changes, challenges, meetings and obstacles I needed to go through to get to my desired goals and dreams. I didn’t want to get overwhelmed, caught up with drama or chaos, I wanted to be unflustered, even-tempered, peaceful as I faced what might be going on around me that would take me away from whats important to me. I wanted a word that would bring me back to serenity, helping me be relaxed so I could focus on what is uniquely important to me and to help me move towards those authentic goals/plans for the future. Calm was the word I kept coming back to, with the word calm I could choose how I responded to challenges in a cool calm and collected way! “Simples”
Calm
ADJECTIVE
1. not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.
"she had to keep calm at all costs" ·
synonyms:
serene · tranquil · relaxed · unruffled · unperturbed · unflustered · undisturbed · unagitated · unmoved · unbothered · untroubled · equable · even-tempered · imperturbable · quiet · steady · placid · peaceful · sedate · unexcitable · impassive · dispassionate · unemotional · phlegmatic · stolid · composed · cool · collected · cool, calm, and collected · as cool as a cucumber · cool-headed · self-possessed · controlled · self-controlled · poised · unflappable · unfazed · together · laid-back · chilled · nonplussed · equanimous
Some other words you might find useful – Freedom, fun, peace, goal, kindness, harmony, open, love, security, simplify, creativity, positivity, nurture, fearless, declutter (great one for spring) focus, calm, change, easy.
I have chosen a word a year (used all of the above) ever since I was introduced to this ritual by a lovely girl from Northern Ireland called Bridget (mentioned her in my last blog post) she was my roommate on a course back in the 80’s. She said in her lovely Irish accent. “Linda I just choose one word to get me through a year, I live by that word and bring myself back to that word when the going gets tough, or when I need to make a decision, I ask myself is this in harmony with my word?” Her words resonated so profoundly with me because of the simplicity of how she presented them. This practice has helped me as part of my holistic tool box ritual kit ever since.
As with anything important you need to prepare “Set the scene” In any way that feels right for you. Maybe have a delicious aromatherapy bath before your ritual (a ritual itself) Light an aromatherapy
candle (watch my news pages for the launch of our candles and spa bars later this year) maybe put on some gentle music, make a special drink, get beautifully relaxed in any way that floats your boat. Sometimes I go for a spa ritual to start the process of musing my key word. I get cosy and comfortable in the relaxation lounge after a delicious spa ritual and start to ponder… The word you choose needs to make your heart sing, fill you with optimism and hope. It needs to make you feel energised, excited and empowered. Take some time to be reflective, don’t just dive in and pick your word too fast. Ask yourself some questions about what you want for the year ahead, what matters to you, how you would like to feel, what is the essence, inspiration, key ingredient you would like in your life for the year ahead. This exercise can help you to identify inspirations, intuitive vibes and patterns that might lead you to your word. Spring is another great time to set your intentions – Back in the day Spring or the Vernal Equinox was marked as the start of a new year. Both are great times to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. I usually come up with a few words I am really drawn to and feel their energy/essence will carry me through the year ahead and help me achieve my goals/dreams, then narrow it down to maybe just 3 words and I sit with them for a while, musing each one in more detail for me this usually takes an afternoon. A friend of mine ponders over a few words for a week before she decides which one, she is really happy with. Don’t hurry this process, this is your key word, a word that will be your friend to guide and support you through the year ahead, be mindful and respectful of the ritualistic process in selecting your powerful word.
Over the years I have used lots of different creative ways to keep my special word visible at all times. Had it in my diary, on the wall in my office, on my dream boards, had it printed onto my favourite cushion that travelled with me, had it engraved on a piece of jewellery that I wore all the time, put it on my fridge (love fridge magnets) Now with modern technology you can have it as your screen saver on your phone, notebook computer, laptop so it’s there every day. CALM- IS A GREAT one because it features in so many creative ways that you can simply buy in the shops, on wooden plaques, posters etc. You want to show your word total respect. Once in position, read your word aloud every day, whisper your word when your challenged, come back to it at different times in the day as things present themselves, or when you feel a little off balance. This word will influence your actions, decision making and choices. If you’re feeling a bit discombobulated (as we all are right now) stop what you’re doing and bring yourself back to your word, asking as Bridget said -
“I ask myself is this in harmony with my word?”
Love to hear back from you on what words you have chosen - Love, Light & CALM
Linda x