January 2023 Setting the Tone for Your Year
2023 is Here, and if you are like me, 2022 was one for the books. More like a book to be thrown to fire like in the book Fahrenheit 451. 2022 was filled with what seemed to be more challenges than successes. Outside of taking my son on a Disney Cruise for his golden birthday, my year was spent being a mechanic, HVAC, electrician, plumber, and landscaper (and it was not in the way I needed it to be). I had to set boundaries with close loved ones and let relationships that no longer served me well go. This 2022 was a year filled with grief. Why? Because I entered into 2022 wanting to be more BOLD.
Well, be careful what you wish for folks because in order to be bold, you must be placed in situations that require you to have bold intentions. And as a result, sent me to the seat of my own therapist! (Everyone needs an unbiased ear every now and then). Yet, I can say I left 2022 with a better intrinsic understanding of myself in relation to this great big world. Nonetheless, 2022 sucked If I can be honest! I would not wish it on a foe (if I had one). And now on 12/30/2022 as I write this in preparation for 2023, I wanted to share the value of setting intentions for your year.
As a young adult, I attended church regularly. And at the end of the year, the pastor would encourage us to pray about what our "word or phrase" we felt will guide our upcoming year. For me, the year 2022 was "Bold." Entering into 2023 I believe it is "Joy!" (THANK YOU LORD), because I don't know if I could endure another year of being Bold.
Now that I know what my word is. Having this word in my mind and my heart has compelled me to see what does Joy even mean!? Especially when 2022 has emptied the joy I thought I had. I mean I have a basic understanding, but what does it mean for me and refilling my cup after a trying year? I am unsure at this moment, but what I do know is I have the opportunity to make choices and set the intention with this word.
Now, you may not have a faith-based system to draw a word or phrase which is okay, that is not the point I was getting at with how I came to enter my new year. So, let me be more direct. You can develop a word or phrase you want to embody in 2023. This will create a core belief of self that will become the lens through which you view yourself and your year. You will begin to map out a pathway that will support that word or phrase.
I will preface, life is not perfect, but you will develop even more by holding that word or phrase close to you in every situation. Some would say this is a Mantra. Well, my word or Mantra is Joy. This means I will seek out opportunities to find joy. I will take time to see a challenge and find joy in it! (Hopefully 🙂).
Ultimately, let us use choice to set a tone and intention for a supportive 2023. And hopefully, as we welcome 2024, we can say that we have grown in that area.
Manifest, speak life. Live with intention!
What is your Word or Phrase for 2023?
I will leave you with this poem by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays "I Have Only Just a Minute"
"I have only just a minute, Only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can’t refuse it. Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it. But it’s up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it."
How will you use your time?