Name Your Year

 Attached to the website for Amy Cerra's art show (exciting!)  interview was an interview with another woman, Lois Weber. I LOVE this idea of naming the year and have not stopped thinking about the 'best" name for my year. I am trying to stay accepting and easy with my choice much as we do when "dedicating " yoga practice to a thing, person or wish. ( for more on non-goal setting as self-love see the article Steve Jahn shared below).  I am being so easy on myself that I considered naming this a Year of Reception, with the idea in mind that I could grow and improve and change by simply "receiving well"  the abundance in life and let myself be a "taker" which actually honors everyone and everything surrounding me to a  generous "giver" status.  I believe I know the name of my year, but will decide later if sharing it here is useful. Maybe I will see what the year brings and give clues along the way.

***** I can tell you now (2-28-12) that I named my Year "Year of Reception" because I knew that Nick planned on proposing to Nicki. This will truly be a year of celebrations, parties, receptions and love fests! I will be mindful of receiving and taking in all those warm and lovely moments with friends and family, and the abundant joy of all.

“Lois Weber: Choosing to Name Your 2012 Year

Lois Weber:

At the beginning of the New Year, decades ago now, my sister sent the family all the same postcard with a phrase on it to announce the name of her new year. We were intrigued.  We knew of New Year’s resolutions but nothing about naming the year. It was a tradition she was introduced to her for creating focus and intention. Over the years we eagerly awaited the unusual postcard with perhaps a more unusual year name on it. There was The Year of Lightening Up, The Year of Small Changes (only she used a French phrase) and The Year of Burrowing and Bolting. My husband and I were impressed with this meaningful ritual. We saw how the names had layers of application. We had had our share of stating New Year’s resolutions to one another only to have forgotten or broken them within a few short weeks. Naming had power and even a gentle nudge of creativity to go with it. At some point we chose to adopt her naming tradition!

At first we chose a new year name as a couple but soon it became apparent that our individual needs and dreams deserved their own name. For many years now, we have chosen a name in anticipation of the upcoming year. The name speaks to us of our intention and reminds us that we are consciously choosing an identified path or way of being. Quite naturally the naming heightens awareness and a noticing of symbolism and synchronicity. It also seems to anchor and lead us like a directional compass. Time moves swiftly and we can quickly forget what we intended for growth and personal experience in a year’s time. A year name briefly reminds us of what we want to create as the year unfolds.

My sister would write out her year name in longhand and put it in a small frame to remind her what she had chosen. She had one in a frequently seen place in her home and another on her desk at work. When I visited, I would notice the sacred place the frame held and be reminded of her intentional living.

…..Each person who chooses to give their new year a name will have their reasons and a process unique to them. There are no wrong year names! This is a tailor made endeavor. You choose what is right for you. You choose something that connects you to the possibilities a new year holds. Reflecting on what ‘has been’ coupled with dreams, desires, and goals allows clarity and freshness to arise. There are ways to invite the soul to express its longing by working with images, writing, and creative materials. People have found the naming process to be inspiring and one that generates excitement, hope and energy for a new beginning that has definition and promise.

Here are a few more year names others have chosen: The Year of Creative Calling, The Year of Joyful Confidence, The Year of Gentle Rising, The Year of Flow, The Year of Daring, The Year of Joyful Expansion, The Year of Vibrant Health, The Year of Loving Acceptance, and The Year of Departures and Arrivals. You can see the varying intentions and the positive charge they hold!

…

A year name can help align us with purpose and help us live our days more fully focused on what we are committed to. It can be a simple gift and a container or touchstone for our dreams. There are really no rules so just let your mind and heart begin playing with the idea of naming. Notice images in magazines and signs as you drive that might give subtle hints at what you may called to in 2012! Being very gentle with it and letting it arise naturally will feel sweet and lead you to aspects of living your year you might not entertain otherwise.”

 From Steve:

 The Pointlessness of Plans

……. If you want to make your new year count, you’ll need to be intentional — not by setting goals, but by making space in your life for what really matters.

..many goals are based on the assumption that in order to get what you want later, you’re have to give up what you want now. You work the plan, endure pain, and win.

But this is not the only path you can take.

I just finished one of the best years of my life, and most of it was completely unplanned. How did I do it? By creating new disciplines I actually liked doing. I wasn’t only fixated on the end results; I also enjoyed the process.

This is the secret to a healthy, productive life and to making an impact on the world. Create good, sustainable habits that you enjoy, and you’ll end up with a life you can be proud of.

Instead of Goals

There is an alternative to setting goals that will bring you closer to the life you want. Focus on a few practices you can enjoy doing on a regular basis. The trick here is consistency. These four helped me:

• Get up early. When the world wakes up, distractions abound. If you are going to focus on creating a new life for yourself, you’ll need to find the time. The best way to do this is to work while others are sleeping. At first, I didn’t like waking up before the sun, but eventually my body adjusted and I began looking forward to the solitude.
• Over-commit. The adage “under-promise and over-deliver” is a farce. It only propagates the status quo. Real difference-makers push boundaries. They test, prod, and poke until something gives. You can do this, too, by saying “yes” to more things than you’re comfortable with. Learn to stretch yourself. You might be surprised by what you’re actually capable of. Your confidence will grow, too.
• Talk to strangers. Relationships are what make the world go round. This is true for your career, personal well-being, and inner life. When you meet new people, you make connections that can lead to all kinds of future breakthroughs. Even when it’s uncomfortable, reach out and introduce yourself to new people. The worst they can say is “no.” Fortunately, many won’t.
• Practice generosity. Give away your time, money, services, and ideas. When you do this, you will get a lot more than you give. People will learn to trust you, and if you really help them, they will tell others about you. This will build your reputation, and you will have more friends than you know what to do with. And as the saying goes, what goes around really does come around.