Discovering Your Word for 2020

As I mentioned on January 1, there seems to be a trend where people pick their word for the year. This can seem a little daunting, after all, there are so many words from which you can choose. Right?

I created the following guided meditation to help you to choose your perfect word for the year. Please enjoy.

Get yourself into a comfortable place.

As you settle into a comfortable position, take a deep breath. Notice how as you breathe in, your body expands. Hold that breath for just a moment and really feel how it feels. Feel the expansion of your chest. Feel how your body is now ready to release it. As you release it, release with it any tension your body was holding. Feel how, as your breath is fully exhaled, your body is beginning to feel relaxed. Take another deep breath. Now, this time, as you inhale, I want you to feel that breath; all that air gathering any tension in your body. Feel all the tension in your body being pulled to that breath… and as you exhale, allow it all to leave. Feel your body as it is more relaxed. Feel how you are so relaxed now that it’s almost hard to keep your eyes open. Now, as you take this third deep breath, feel all remaining tension in your body gather and easily leave on the exhale.

You are very relaxed. So much so that you can no longer keep your eyes open. And, as your eyes gently close, now. Notice that you have arrived at a beautiful house. It is decorated with immaculate detail.

As you take in all the decorations, notice all the people arriving. You recognize some of these people as they pass you. These are friends and family. Some of them don’t look familiar, but they feel familiar. You get a sense that you know them.

As you curiously watch the people walking down the stairs into the main room of the house, you decide to follow them.

And as you begin to descend the 5 stairs, rest assured that no matter what happens, you will always be able to hear my voice as I guide you through this magical evening.

5 – Building curiosity about what you will discover at the bottom of these stairs.

4 – Feeling excitement for what is waiting for you.

3 – Becoming more aware of the sights and sounds of the party.

2 – Noticing that you have entered a whole new reality.

1 – Releasing all inhibition as you fully allow yourself to join this celebration.

You notice a hush falls across the room as you enter. All eyes are on you. AT first you are a little curious about what is going on, but a friend comes up to you and touches your arm with a gentle caress and says, “I knew you could do it!” You look at them questioningly and they clarify, “You met your goals . You’ve been working so hard on this. How does it feel to check that off your list?”

And as you look around the room again, it dawns on you, you’re at a New Year’s eve party counting down to another new year. Only this time it’s different. This time you’re celebrating a year of success. Everything that you wanted to has changed. You realize that this year you took action. This year you got out of your way. And as this realization sets in, you feel yourself standing a little taller, and you feel your whole being swell with pride for a job well done.

As midnight approaches, everyone gathers around, old friends, new friends, new colleagues; all the people who made it possible for you to reach that goal. And as you all gather together in the middle of the room, notice what you’re wearing. Feel the clothing against your skin. Are you wearing anything new or special? What kind of adornment are you wearing? Do you have jewelry, a watch? What about your shoes? As you feel yourself fully present in the moment, notice the glass in your hand. Feel the cold of the liquid inside. Watch how it sparkles in the light as everyone raises a glass to celebrate your success and to toast to a new year with more success to come.

As you look into everyone’s eyes as you touch glasses, notice the admiration and the love that you feel; not just for them, but for yourself as well. Taste the cold, bubbly liquid, enjoying the tingle as it goes down.

And as the new year rings in and the fireworks and confetti settle down and the night winds down, people start to leave; each of them shaking your hand, giving you a hug or simply touching your shoulder. And as they do this, they impart a bit of wisdom, leaving you an easter egg to help you as you take the road to this perfect outcome. You won’t remember them all right now, but you will notice them and know them as they show up as you take action, walking the path.

As everyone leaves, something shifts. You are no longer the host of the party. Notice that your future self has sat down on a chaise lounge. You can see that you are tired, but satisfied.

Notice that your present self is feeling drawn to sit down next to your future self. As your future self looks up and notices you, they smile, patting a place on the lounge for you to sit. As you sit down next to them, feel the love they have for you. Feel just how proud they are of you because you persevered. You took action. You made all this possible.

You want to know all the details, exactly what you had to do. You have a million questions, and your future self, knowing you, because they are you, stops you.

“It wouldn’t be fair to tell you everything. Part of the fun and wonder is the adventure that got us here,” they say.

“What can you tell me?” you ask.

“One word,” they reply. “The one word you need to know. The one word that will get you through everything we had to persevere.

“And?” you ask impatiently. “What is it?”

Your future self takes you by the hand, looks into your eyes and with total solemnity gives you the word.

Listen for that word. This word you will remember. This is the word that will change your life.

You repeat the word, allowing it to sink in; allowing it to make an indelible impression.

Your future self squeezes your hand and tells you it’s almost time for you to go back.

“We can’t get to here, if you don’t do the work,” you’re reminded. “There will be times when you will feel lost or confused or you won’t know what to do next,” they say. “If that happens, just ask. I can give clues. In these moments, if you will get quiet, the wisdom that has been imparted on you today will be released; each piece as you need it.

“Pay attention as you meet new people. Those who will be key may come from unexpected places. There is no ‘right’ way to do this. There are many paths to this outcome. Play. Have fun. Be curious. Most of the joy is in the journey. Remember that! We have this outcome because we let go and just let things flow. It’s scary sometimes. And it’s okay.”

And with that they give you a hug; a deep, warm, unencumbered embrace. And you know it’s time to go.

As you go back up those stairs, you notice that you are

1 – allowing all of the wisdom gained to be accessible in its perfect time.

2 – Remembering your word, internalizing it and embracing it.

3 – Feeling that self-love, knowing that you’ve got this and it is totally doable.

4 – Feeling yourself coming into your body, refreshed and with energy to meet any challenge

5 – Eyes open, wide awake, ready to write down your word and get moving toward that goal.