Happy new year all!
As I mentioned in my last post, a few years back I dropped resolution-making for word-of-the-year-selecting. After working through Susannah Conway's Find Your Word e-course, then sitting with a handful of options for a few weeks, I was pretty sure what my word was going to be.
Then I got up on New Year's Day, headed in to my yoga mat, sat on a cushion, lit a candle, shuffled my oracle cards ... and pulled exactly what I had been toying with: the COURAGE card.
A stunning golden lion peered back at me. "Have courage," he said. (No, really. That's what's written at the bottom of the card.)
I stared at it. Once again completely taken aback at how the oracle cards, more often than not, reflect exactly what I need, at exactly the perfect time.
So courage it is.
But why courage?
I knew I wanted a strong word. Something to push me to take challenges, to have tough conversations, to leap sometimes without looking. I played around with brave, and strength, and fly, and fearless.
Courage, though, to me speaks of approaching challenges with heart. Not ignoring or stuffing any fear involved, but intentionally moving forward through compassion, both for myself and for others involved. Taking the risks necessary to grow and change, and come out the other side a better woman.
Courage (n.) c.1300, from Old French corage (12c., Modern French courage) "heart, innermost feelings; temper," from Vulgar Latin *coraticum (source of Italian coraggio, Spanish coraje), from Latin cor "heart" (see heart) which remains a common metaphor for inner strength. (Source: Online Etymology Dictionary)
In 2015, I will move forward in my work and my personal life with courage. I have no doubt it's going to challenge me. And I'm perfectly OK with that.
How about you? Did you select a word this year? I'd love to hear how you plan to orient your new year.
__________
P.S. Thanks to Jo of The Darling Tree for the courage art above. She does beautiful web design work and art. Check her out!