I spent New Year’s eve in Providence with my soulsister, Elizabeth. Alas, jet lag and a sinus infection meant my usual intention setting gave way to an early night, which is why today’s new moon feels like my new new year. This morning the sun is shining and I sense the antibiotics are starting to do their thing. I’ve spent the last hour trimming the borders off a deck of tarot cards to help the imagery sing (I talk about making the cards your own in my Daily Guidance class which I’m OBSESSED with right now) and I have an afternoon of reading stretching ahead of me #benefitsofbeingsick.

My word for 2015 was NOURISH and what a deeply powerful word choice that was. NOURISH got me through open surgery, a 100-hour yoga immersion, a summer of dating, the birth of a new website and massive new course, and the need to retreat these last few months. “Does this feel nourishing?” was my constant companion last year. “Does this feed my soul? Does this feel good?”

NOURISH is informing how I spend today and is helping me get my health back. I learned that nourish is giving myself plenty of breathing space when creating new projects. Nourish is drinking more water. Nourish is taking a break from dating when I need it. Nourish is audiobooks and podcasts and sheepskin rugs and a new sofa. Nourish is white lined Moleskines and a Nespresso machine, incense and homemade soup. Nourish is drawings by my nephew arriving through my letterbox. Nourish is impromptu plane ticket purchases and new friendships — and quiet time alone in my own bed. Nourish is meditation and it is not meditation. Nourish is frankincense essential oil. Nourish is conversations with my neighbours and ignoring text messages when I feel overwhelmed.

NOURISH has been my favourite Word of the Year to date and rather than let it go in favour of a new word (though I have one of those) NOURISH is coming with me as I step into this new year and beyond. It’s a soul word, that’s for sure.

So what about 2016?

My new word chose me a long time ago but I have been reluctant to use it. Every year I dance with it, and every year I back away from it, choosing other words that in hindsight were definitely what I needed more. And still this word calls to me…. And now I am ready to step into it.

 

 

I know this is going to be a year of LOVE because it’s already begun. While staying with Elizabeth I fell madly in love with her dog, Ollie, and ohmystars, the feeling was mutual. Apart from our family dog, Sadie — who I still dream about — I have never felt such an immediate connection to an animal before. I honestly can’t stop thinking about him with his sweet face and soft ears and gentle demeanour. Elizabeth’s “Daily Ollie” emails to me are helping with the transition :)

 

 

I’d been pondering how funny — and maybe silly — it is to fall for a dog and declare him your #dogsoulmate but then it hit me on the plane ride home — of COURSE this would happen now! This is my year of LOVE and I’ve started it exactly as I mean to go on — with a thumping heart and fluttery eyelids, broken wide open to serendipity.

So yes, 2016 is my Year of LOVE. Love for my family as we welcome my new nephew into the world in May. Love for my friends as connections ripen and deepen. Love for myself as I recommit, over and over, to looking after myself on every level: heart, body and soul. Love for my community as I share new courses and bring people together to explore their innate creativity. And the blossoming of romantic Love in my life again. I am so ready to meet my guy, so ready to write this next chapter of my story and (re)learn all the blessed lessons that come when you share your life with another human being. I have been on my own for 11 years and I am whole and complete. And I am ready to find another soul who is also whole and complete and up for walking this path with me, side by side.

May it be so.

What’s your word for 2016?

 

[Photo of Ollie by Forrest | photo of me and Ollie by Elizabeth]