The Ordinary Role Model

The passage of time can be a scary thing for most of us. We all know people who don't want to admit their age as seniors even if it gives them a discount at the movie theatre or the fashionable "grandma" who wants to be known by a different name so that no-one thinks she's that old.

I met with a friend today who is a handful of years ahead of me. I won't give her age because sometimes she reads my words here! She is fit and enjoys her life, which she feels is no different than anyone else's. She's worked hard, saved her money, looks forward to her next adventure and maintains friendships in a wide circle of people. I look up to her. She's a role model for me.

The Ordinary Role Model

She hasn't allowed the loss of her life-partner, the distance of miles from her only child, the lines on her face and some long evenings spent alone to keep her from being happy.

As you might have read in my earlier post she is also someone who decided much earlier who she is. She created a habit.

The interesting thing is that we each can get our motivation from a different source.

It doesn't matter who we are, what we do for a living, or what our circumstances might be in this moment. For me it could be someone who stays active (I'm currently following the Tour de France each morning while I eat breakfast!), for you, it could be someone who just joined the local choir, someone else might be encouraged by an entrepreneur or a volunteer at a homeless shelter.

My friend was telling me that she had performed at a recent line-dancing event. One of her fellow dancers was 89 years old! "She's my role model", my friend told me.

We all need encouragement and someone to look up to, no one is immune to falling into a funk. My friend showed me that if we want to continue to grow, and live a life of contentment, keep an eye out for a role model. They are who they are. Often our role models don't even feel they are doing anything extraordinary. (Tweet This)

Perhaps today, we could pay special attention to the words we use, our actions and how we engage in the world.

We never know who's watching us and sees their role model.(Tweet This)

How to choose your Word for the Year

Perhaps choosing a new word for the year is an established practice for you. Or maybe this is the first time you've heard of it. Let me invite you to One Word 365, it is an adventure worth going on.

The Word you choose will show up in your life in all kinds of ways this year. Maybe, it's always been there and only now you are noticing it? Maybe it suddenly came to you as the universe sometimes does to us (gently or like a thunderbolt). Or maybe, you've been pondering the perfect word to set your new year off with a kick.

How to choose your Word for the Year - Celebrate!

I've chosen a word for the last decade or so and have found that it has taught me more about myself and those around me. It's made me more conscious. You'll notice that my word this year ends in an exclamation mark! Yes, that extra addition was intentional.

I know that each time I think of Celebrate! I will feel the exclamation point! I will hear Three Dog Night singing away.

You might need a quiet year, you could choose ... home, meditate, read, even silence. Let these words enter your daily living. Use them not to fill in the gaps but to be your norm.

You might be ready for an energetic year, you could choose... goal, focus, dedicate, train, learn. You've waited and put so many things in place. This is your year! You're ready to show the world. Now go do it!

You might be entering a new phase of your life. A word such as... reflect, forgive, patience, release. You could be in the midst of change. The world does this to us sometimes and asks us to accept. It is our job just to listen.

So many wonderful choices to get your new year going. The years come and go and believe me, you will see your Word fulfill itself in your life if you allow it.

My husband chose "Lean", he's a clever kind of guy. He's choosing to Lean into his business, to stay Lean this year, and to Lean into the challenges that come his way. A lot of choices wrapped up in a four letter word.

A friend has chosen "Hygge"(pronounced hue-guh) a Danish word used to acknowledge the cozy, comfortable moments in our daily life. She will no doubt appreciate the satisfaction her word will bring her this year.

In past years, I've chosen Simplify, Open, Trust, Believe just to name a few. Each one brought me experiences and awareness of staying in the moment. At different times, each taught me when to keep my silence and when to recognize that it was time to make a decision.

Each choice will give direction. Which word you choose will depend on your circumstance, no word is "wrong". The word you choose will be right for you. (Tweet This)

Give it a try, and tell me what shows up in your life.

New Year, New Word. What do you need this year? (Tweet This)

Two or Three Words Which Would Have Changed Your Life

As we grow up/older, we begin to recognize those turns in the road where our Life could have been changed. If we shine the spotlight on those times, we sometimes see Two or Three Words flashing like neon signs. Because it is usually only in hindsight that those words have meaning.

Do you have a favourite Auntie who said Don’t Quit or Wake Up (as in, It’s Time for School or Pay Attention)? A friend who shook their head at your choice in boyfriends or girlfriends and shouted a warning that said Liars Lie or Using You! or She is CRAZY.

Courtesy of Pixabay - ASSY

 If we look back, we all received the message, we just didn’t GET the message. (Tweet This)

A recent Facebook post asked, which two or three words would you tell your younger self? Hmm, Two or Three Words? Could a Life truly be changed with just that? How often would we have to hear them before we would listen? 

The comments to this post had a lot of Stay Single, which is kind of scary when you think how many people said it. There was also Stay in School, Respect Yourself, Trust Your Intuition and many more gems.

Such little words, with enough power to change your Life. So I ask you, to take a moment now. Scribble or close your eyes and turn the light onto the rooms of your life. 

Are there two or three words which would have changed your Life, if you’d listened? (Tweet This)

Two or Three Simple Words are probably all we really needed. 

Mixed in with the Two or Three Words that were offered, I read this comment that would have changed someone's Life.  "When the cute guy in the red Camaro stops to say Hi...run for the hills". 

Now that, says it all.

Would love to hear your Two or Three Words, leave a comment for all of us to think about.

A Basket of Words to Remember

A basket of words. Of memories. Words I cherish each year and add to with joy.

Each  year I look forward to pulling out this basket.It holds stories of my  life. Words from life-long friendships and those which have ended, words  penned with the truth of the moment.

Hugs and kisses  sent from loved ones from across the country, and hohoho's on postcards  from relatives enjoying the sand and beach instead of snow.

Chapters  of lives, announcements of new babies, graduations, and one year even a  pending divorce (they were never a good match). Crayon-drawn cards and  handmade layered snowflakes. Each one sharing something of themselves,  each one treasured.

With a quickening of my heart, I  see the handwriting of those who are gone. Laugh at their cheerful words  and give thanks that I can still hear their voices as I read. I  remember being loved by old friends who are no longer a part of my life,  and I send them a silent wish for their happiness. Because no matter  what has happened, at one time we journeyed through life together. They  will always be a part of my story.

We all get caught up  in our everyday lives, we think and behave like we have forever. Our  words have so much power, let's not forget to use them properly.

If  you have the chance, send your thoughts to someone in the coming weeks.  Tell them of the ways that they are important to you, how knowing them  has changed your life, how you miss them. Because they too may have a  basket of words to remember.

It could be the most important gift they receive.

What's in your basket of words to remember? (Tweet This)

Celebrating the chapters of our lives with words. (Tweet This)