One Little Word: Dance

Two years ago I dropped the need for resolutions and began focusing on a word of the year.

Last year, I said it was because I was all goaled out — tired of always racing to the next thing, feeling pressure to constantly be working at 100% or honestly based on my own personal expectations 110%, which it turns out is not only unsustainable, but a fast way to suck the joy of out working towards a goal!This year I’ve also come to realize that part of what I craved was SIMPLICITY because we do indeed need a direction to focus on so we don’t just wander around willy nilly…but maybe it doesn’t have to feel so intense like “I must… by …”

I appreciate exactly how Jesse Moskel put out his goals:

Goals for today:

–Live my life to the maximum, meaning I spend all my time learning, sharing and growing.
–Teach others what I discover.
–Avoid negative thoughts, people and actions.
–Seek to help others.
–Be a positive force.
–Listen.
–Love.
–Smile.

ONE LITTLE WORD RESOLUTIONS
Ali Edwards really started this movement and does have a great creative class if you want to check it out – I think she explains the concept so well:

celebrating progress rather than perfection, about the power of focusing on a single word and the impact that can have in your life, about how many little moments make up the patterns of our lives, about thinking of your future self as you make decisions today, about how your own journey is important, about how to step back into the story of your own life as an active participant, about learning what you most need from yourself, and about the power of coming back again and again to your original intentions as a means of reflection and forward movement.

If you’re looking for a word to help guide your choices, your actions and your year here are some of the one’s I’ve chosen and what they meant to me:

2013: Purpose
2014: Peace (which became courage)
2015: Love
2016: Dance

In the past to stay focused on my word, I’ve found physical things to set on my desk or things to wear that would keep me focused. As I let this word unfold, I’m on the lookout for what will keep me in that state of dance.

DANCE
Let’s talk about what drew me to this word…originally I was thinking joy or discover should be my 2016 one little word. But the best thing about a word of the year is that if you’re willing and open, the right one finds you.

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul” ― Martha Graham

I want to spend more time doing my happy dance, which is a bizarre little ditty I picked up from a friend I’ve known since kindergarten. Of course I look silly doing it, but couldn’t care less when something is wonderful enough to warrant the dance.

I want to spend more time jamming out in the car with the windows rolled down, wind in my hair and strangers wondering what awesome song I’m listening to (hint could be Blake Shelton or Outkast!).I want to spend more time remembering my motto “I don’t know these people” which usually eliminates my concerns over looking silly!

“Do a loony-goony dance
‘Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain’t been there before.”
― Shel Silverstein, A Light in the Attic

I want to spend more time in the embrace of my husband, slow dancing on a random Tuesday night.

I want to spend more time flowing through the day rather than pushing.

I want to spend more time spinning with glee like a child always amazed at the world.

I want to choose work that lights me up for all the right reasons.

I want to be engaged actively in the direction of my life.

I want to spend more time in the joy of learning (I’m a research nut and it’s to be enjoyed like a new move).

“There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.”
– Vicki Baum

I could be wrong, but it seems inherently impossible to be dancing and sad…maybe an angry dance I think it’s called moshing, but not sad. It’s a joyful expression or a symbol of a feeling. I love this idea of feeling free to let the joy flow. I think I’ll also pair it with the wise words of my friend Rebekah who you must follow at BexLife.

I am patient, because I know the good is coming.

Have you ever tried a word of the year?

What keeps you on track towards long term goals?

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