My Year of Hello

As I stated in last week’s post, as everyone prepares to welcome 2015, it is equally important to acknowledge 2014.

When I wrote my 2013 New Year Eve’s Post, I was not consciously aware that I had already chosen my word of the year. 2013 was a year of saying good-bye, changes that were out of my control and some of my making. I was facing a world of unknown. I knew I was in need of seeing that the world was more than letting go.

Choosing the word Hello as my word of the year has been one of the most beneficial practices I have utilized. 

As this was my focus, it forced me to view life situations from a different perspective. This word opened up situations I would have turned down or ignored. As a result, I feel I am better for the practice.

My experiences ranged from tiny to significant. 

• There was the night (in subzero temperatures) that I agreed to go out with friends to a comedy club and had a great time. (In the past I would have never left the house in those temperatures).
• I was hesitant at the opportunity to begin teaching an ethics continuing education class in Central Kentucky but said yes because saying hello to new things was my focus. (I thought to myself, who am I to teach ethics?)  I now regularly alternate teaching the class and will be going out of area twice in 2015 to teach the class.
• I randomly sent out resumes and said yes to interviews because I wanted to explore what was available.  However, I also realized it is important to say no when your gut is saying to do so.
• After completing the tasks of closing my Mom’s estate and finishing a semester of teaching, I learned to appreciate the pauses that life can give us. I don’t have to be busy all of the time.
• I finally became a complete Apple product person and found that my MacBook Air opened up a new world for me. No more pc for me!
• James and I made it a point to go to new places and marking off items on our Kentucky bucket list.
• Most significantly, I was willing to take a chance and say yes to an opportunity and have begun to build my private practice.  (I’ve realized that I needed to walk through the only door that appeared to be open for me)

In addition to the few listed above, there have been many other situations where I decided to say hello to something new. I choose different summer flowers for our front porch, began wearing flats more than heels and finally tried shellac nails. I agreed to dinners and events I may have turned down in the past because I was too tired or busy and found I had a fantastic time. There were some situations where I was not completely happy (going back to my wave petunia for the front porch and wearing more heels again). However, I HAVE NEVER regretted saying Hello.  Each opportunity has provided me with a new perspective. This focus has helped me to create new patterns in my life and to recognize that opportunities are not only presented to us but also need to be created. As I prepare to focus on a new word for 2015, my intentions are not to forget the power of hello. I hope to always be able to welcome new experiences rather than immediately finding an excuse. Thank You  for these lessons 2014!

Did you have a word of the year? Have you established one for 2015? I encourage you to try it.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!!

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