"Fearless Women" is a book by Nancy Alspaugh and Marilyn Kentz
"Fearless Women" is a book by Nancy Alspaugh and Marilyn Kentz
FEARLESS
I feel nervous just sharing my word, never mind feeling fearless!
So to make myself feel better, I will share this quote from Marianne Williamson that I read over and over. See if it helps you, too:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
~ A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles,” Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3
I have been doing this little tradition inspired by Ali Edwards for a few years. And it’s cool to see that she has turned the tradition into a year-long class. Whether you take the class or not, what’s your one little word?
Here’s mine for 2010. [And dang, it worked!]
Here’s 2009. [I can’t find it but I will post it when/if I do.]
Do you have a word or words for 2010?
Share yours in the comments below…Happy New Year!
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A very beautiful and inspirational post. Thank you for sharing. My word for 2010 was probably Survive. My word for 2011 is Succeed.
Momentum (emphasis on the MOM). I’m tracking how one little change I make can bring about a windfall of positive changes in my life.
Abundance: in every sense of the word, recognizing the abundance I have and trusting I will have an abundance of what I need (which quiets that fundamental fear I realise still hangs around me from childhood).
I love the quote from Marianne Williamson, Christina. I have been reading it to myself for years now, and it always feels true and right. My word for 2010 was “open.” It was a good word to contemplate and act on, and I learned a lot with it. Now I am ready to benefit from all that learning. I am seeking a word that resonates for this year. Thank you for the reminder, and for all of your great advice.
Before I read this post I had just finished writing a “Word of the Day,” on my blog. Tenacious: the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose; “her determination showed in her every movement;” “she is a woman of purpose.” Also, persistent or stubborn. Dogged.
I used it to describe my nearly 102-year -old mother. But after reading your post it is my word for 2011.
Excellent article. 2010 was all about getting to somewhere to start from so I suppose my word for it was ‘arrival’. 2011 is about letting go of all that held me back from my success, much of it self inflicted and accepting that I can now just get on with it. That in itself is a scary thought but exciting too. I can’t think of one word to describe this year but a phrase comes to mind, ‘just do it’.
I like this. My word is ASK. And I’ve already begun. It’s exciting!
Rhythm~
Rhythm~
Rhythm~
Like Linda, my word for 2010 was probably Survive, too. And I did. So 2011 should probably be Thrive. Professionally, personally, and as Delia said, physically. Love the post Christina – and everyone here IS Fearless – we’re here and doing it!
Thanks for chiming in, everyone! Keep ’em coming! It’s still January! 🙂
My words for 2011 are Abide & Sacrifice. They terrify me, but I know that good things will come from it. 🙂
I love this practice, also. I started it in 2008 with “Shining” — then “play” and “spirit.” These year-long guiding words have led me into increased self-awareness, brave new endeavors, and an enormous growth towards inner peace. My word for 2011 is TRUST, and I’m excited to find out where it takes me. I’m not sure I’d call these “little,” though. Simple, complicated, powerful, changing, life-enhancing.
My word of the year is “Abondanza”! I have done this off and on for close to a decade, starting with theme months back in 1999. Wow. More than a decade of this! If you want to see my blog post when I stepped into “Abondanza”, here is the link:
Abondanza, 2011…
What a great idea, and a wonderful way to start the new year off. For both my personal and creative lives, the word I’ve chosen after much thought is: INSPIRE. Inspiring others as well as inspiring myself in whatever way possible seemed a worthy goal for 2011. Here’s a New Year’s toast to inspiration for all!
My word for 2010 was maintenance. I just wanted to maintain things and keep all the balls I was juggling in the air. This year (2011) my word is progress. I want to make progress on my goals.