My 2017 Word of the Year - When I Grow Up

My 2017 Word of the Year - When I Grow Up I wrote the words below in my journal on November 9th, 2016. That day was one of rawness, grief, disbelief and sadness. I drew a bath and brought my journal in with me to write these pages around my feelings and the connection to my Word of 2016, Acceptance. It led me to discovering my Word of 2017, and I wanted to share it with you here. I drew the picture above last night, filling the white space with the words and phrases that connect to Be-ing for me.   ACCEPTANCE. My word of the year taunts me today, but also beckons me, winks at me, welcomes me to question and react and respond in ways that are new and healing and helpful. Jess voice in my head (Jess has been my spiritual life coach for the past few months, dear reader), saying, The Universe conspires to support you. Jess voice in my head, saying, What if Trump is your greatest teacher? Acceptance, Ive been learning over and over again, is not passive. Its not taking things lying down but its also not about  fighting or  pushing or  forcing. Acceptance, Ive been learning, is discovering what sense this all makes. Its relinquishing control while still following your beliefs and taking action. Its giving yourself the space to take care and be comforted. So, how are we here? How can The Universe possibly allow this hatred to be the platform to spread across the free world? And what is it teaching us? Mom and Papa are lifelong, hard-core Democrats and news junkies. I always held Democratic beliefs but never had much interest in politics. I never felt a real, personal stake until now. HRC v. Trump made ma a volunteer, an advocate, someone who could have a political discussion (or debate!) held up by facts. For the first time ever, I educated and aligned myself with my beliefs. I put my money and my time where my mouth, my heart and my hopes are. Never has kindness been so important. Never has love been so important. Never has action been so important. Never has self-care been so important. But also, the great perplexing paradox that can never be explained: As much as we Do, we also have to Be. We have to take action, and then offer it up to the Universe. We have to set our goals and our intention, and then offer it up to the Universe. We have to lead with loving-kindness,  and then offer it up to the Universe. We have to take care of ourselves and each other, and then offer it up to the Universe. We have to put our special gifts and secret dreams into the world as often as we can, and then offer it up to the Universe. What Ive been realizing these past few weeks is that Ive been personally waiting for life to go back to normal the way I felt and the things I did pre-cancer. Now I know for sure: There is no normal. Today is not last year, last month or even yesterday. Today is also not tomorrow, or next month, or even a year from now. Each day is a different normal. Each moment, a new choice. A new chance. A new opportunity. Today is one of those days, and tomorrow will be, too. Because of Hillary, because of Trump, Im now here to show up, to Do for the first time ever in this way. But because of Acceptance and all the work Ive been doing around it this year, Im also here to simply Be with it all. Thats the best thing to do, the only thing to do, to change the world and live your dreams each and every day. Yes: Be is my Word of 2017. Whats yours? Leave it in the comments along with how you got there or what you hope it brings you. Ill see you in 2017 and am wishing you a wonderful holiday season!