Since 2009 I have been choosing one word to guide me throughout the year. One word {or phrase} that I can tuck into my pocket as a reminder of the direction I want to go. Sometimes the word chooses me and other times it takes a bit of digging to determine what that word will be. The one thing that always remains the same is that the word unfolds in ways I never dreamed of and takes me places that I really needed to go.

My previous words have been:

2015 - Connection
2014 – Build
2013 – All the Cards on the Table
2012 – Soar
2011 – Love
2010 – Connect
2009 - Wings

I thought I had my word for 2016 all figured out. I was even journaling about it the other day. But as I sat down to write this post another word came up and I can't seem to shake it.

My first choice was a phrase :: Daring Greatly. To me this means standing in the arena, taking risk's, being seen, being afraid of failing but trying anyway, standing in my power, showing the world who I am, going after what is in my heart, speaking up, and letting my light shine bright.
At this moment in my life this feels like exactly what I need to do. I have worked hard to get to this point. I have pushed myself. I have learned who I am and what I want. I have discovered my inner strengths and have made my way out of the shadows. I am ready and prepared to be in the arena and let my light shine.

These words have been percolating inside of me since first reading the below quote:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

In order to make great things happen I must take the risk and understand that it might not work out. I must try even when I am scared. I must put in the effort. There is no magic fairy want that will make things happen for me. I have to do the work. I have to dare greatly.

It is time to shine. To step outside of my comfort zone. I do not want to live small. I want to make an impact. I want to show up, reach, and learn. I want to inspire others to do the same. I want to seek out adventure and live more intentionally. I want to live big!

As I write this now I see that my secondary word fits in perfectly with "daring greatly". This word is "gather". Deep in my heart I feel a call to gather in person with women. To break bread, share stories, allow ourselves to be seen. Shifts happen when women come together. Hearts open, love pours fourth, and we are able to see our inner beauty and learn how to shine our light.

I know deep in my heart that this type of work is powerful, necessary, and life changing. When we learn to love who we are and take time to work through our old stories and inner daemons the world opens up to us. Our heart shifts, happiness flows through, and we learn how to seek out the good and appreciate the moments.

In order to lead a gathering I need to dare greatly and take the risk. I need to put it out there and trust that individuals will be called to it. I need to be willing to fail and open to the possibility that it could be better than I even expected. I must take the chance.

I have never chosen two separate words as my word of the year, but there is no reason why I can't. So I am jumping in and going for it. This year my words are: