*A Word for 2011

At the suggestion of Jemma at Exilicchaplain (now in Beijing), who got the idea from Abbey of the Arts, I considered what word I could take into 2011 to stay with me for the year.

Some words that other people came up with are: open-hearted, become, rootedness, movement (see Jemma's blog for how interesting that one turned out to be!), kindness, intention, dwell, liberty, flexibility, light-hearted, befriend.

I, of many words, didn't think that one would suffice. I mean a single word to contemplate all year? No, not possible. But even so, knowing how I love words and their importance in my life, I wanted to give it a try. So yesterday morning, after skating and between laundry loads, before cleaning or taking my kids on an expedition to a bookstore, I made time to meditate.

I thought of several words, very good ones, but I waited until I settled into the stillness, wanting to give all of myself time to connect with the light. And when I was there, a word did come to me, and I knew it was the right word, the needed one, and that I could, in fact, contemplate it for a year or longer.

The word is "now."

Now, I am here.

Now is not then.

What is around me now?

What calls to me now?

What do I see, hear, taste, smell, feel now?

There is love, now.

Filed under: My Life, Spirituality Tagged: choosing a word to inspire, listening for the words