Yesterday was a new moon and today the date is 2-2-22. It feels like a fitting day to write my first blog post. The number two represents partnership, cooperation, balance, and pairs. I love contemplating how this may relate to my inner life, relationships, career, and family. My feminine side reminded me of my intention for the year, “Unhurried Asking”. Maybe I should tell the story behind the intention before going further...
My holiday season was emotionally busy, even though it wasn’t physically busy. Because of this, I have made a conscious effort to rest in self-love for the month of January. Symbolically, I replaced the metal lettering on my living room wall that showcased the word GROW. I replaced it with lightweight, unadorned, beige lettering that spells REST.
I also bought another set of crisp, white letters to spell PLAY that I plan to display in the spring. I didn’t think of it until now, but I need one more message for the fall. Well, I have seven more months to decide on that word. There’s no rush.
At the beginning of each year, I choose a word or phrase to be the intention of the year. It’s a spin-off from making a new year’s resolution that my sister introduced me to years ago. She developed a “Naming Your Year” journaling workshop that helped reveal our desires. My word for 2022 is “Unhurried Asking”. At first, my word was just “Receiving” because I wanted clarity for my feminine, intuitive, heart-centered self. It was my coach who reminded me that ASKING precedes receiving. She also reminded me that motivation is what determines the outcome and drives the action.
Is my motivation fear-based and focused on my lack? If so, how can I change the motivation to be powered by love? Begging comes from desperation but requesting from a place of satisfaction and gratitude shows secure self-love. It’s not about being in denial about what I want or need but rather about telling the truth about it. Can I place my needs as my priority before trying to save others?
Curiosity seemed the best place for me to start with my asking. To be sincere, curiosity can’t be hurried. So, I’ve been curiously asking myself, “What do you want, need, or think?” and, “Can you tell me why this is difficult to talk about?” I’m beginning to offer myself the same thing I offer clients- a listening ear, in a judgment-free environment. I’m no longer shaming myself for having feelings (whatever they may be). In the end, “Unhurried Asking” is what resonated because I felt peace about asking for help and trusting that a solution would arrive when I was ready for it. The motivation is self-love. The outcome should follow that if I can love me and receive from me- others will too.
I’m starting from a place of gratitude that I am adult enough, resourceful enough, and wise enough to take care of my needs. I will not say yes to everyone else at the cost of running myself emotionally ragged. When I ask myself for help there will be more compassion, cooperation, and teamwork (more about Internal Family Systems to come). I believe that whatever is energetically inside of us will also manifest in our external world. If I can give myself grace (unearned favor) I should also be able to give grace to others at work, in my family, and in relationships. So, I will ask for a double portion in 2022, because wouldn’t you agree our world needs a double shot of grace this year?
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