I am one month along on my journey with the word Open and I’ve been thinking about it daily and checking in with myself to make sure I am finding ways to be mindful of it’s presence in my life.
Here’s the thing . . . and you probably know this about me if you’ve been around for a while . . . I’m a pretty set person when it comes to my routines, ideas, and approach to life. This attitude works well for me, it keeps me organized and helps me to get things done, both at work and at home. But. What if there are other ways of doing things? What if there are ideas I have dismissed without considering them fully? What if I have closed myself off from things that could improve my life and bring me joy?
In this first month with the word open what I want most is to be open to is new ideas and experiences. One new experience that I mentioned last week is a regular yoga practice. I am truly grateful I opened myself up to that because I have found it to be not only good for my body but also a great way to open my heart and increase my capacity to experience love, compassion, gratitude, and acceptance.
I’m tempted at this point to commit to finding a new experience/practice/craft/etc each month as a way of embracing the word open but I think that would be counterproductive. I think I’d be setting myself up to actually be the opposite of open because instead of truly being free to try something new I’d be pigeonholing myself into searching for something to fulfill a goal. I don’t think searching for something is a bad thing, necessarily, but I also feel strongly that being open means watching and waiting for things to come to me in their own time.
And that’s where I am with open at the end of month one. Thinking a lot about what I want to be open to, thinking a lot about keeping myself flexible to the ideas and opportunities that present themselves to me, and truly embracing the freedom of being open even when it scares the crap out of me.
I’m joining with Honoré today to share my monthly One Little Word journey. If you head over to her blog you can read how others are living with the words as well.
It’s one thing to open up, and it’s also important to know what you want to be open to. It sounds like you are off to a great start with open!
Very thoughtful approach to your one little word quest. It is hard to stay open, it’s scary and feels a bit overwhelming at times. But you will find unplanned joy and discover lots of things that will be interesting, even if you don’t embrace them. I think your journey is off to a great start, Carole!
I think open is a very good word for you to explore. Even though you are a woman who likes her routines, your heart is open in many ways. I like your start.
I, too, like the way Open is working for/with you Carole. Nice choice!
I am really intrigued by your word and I am nodding with Juliann’s comment! This is a very good start!
Love this. So tricky, it’s a zen riddle – you can’t decide in advance what you’ll be open to, you need to have it, whatever it is, come to you. That’s a lot for January!
Plus, yoga:-)
I think the way you’re doing it is perfect! Being open to new things is much better than forcing them on yourself.
Oooooo! This is exciting! I have a feeling . . . that just be allowing yourself to BE open . . . to new things and ideas and experiences . . . you will make some really interesting discoveries. About yourself and about your life. I can’t wait! XOXO
So keeping your eyes ‘open’ to opportunities that pop-up during the month(s) and jumping on any new chances of things you’ve dismissed or set aside in the past? Best of luck 🙂
Ah, the power of One Little Word! (in the hearts, minds and hands of a few strong women). The words you wrote in that first paragraph resonated with me and my word AND (and I tried to copy/paste because I so wanted to exchange that BUT for an AND 😉 You are off to a great start and I am so privileged to be a part of your journey. Thank you.
Like others, I think your musings about OPEN are very thoughtful and thought provoking. I would say you are in a very good place from this beginning.
I also am a person for routine and habit, but I love the idea of watching and waiting. You never know what opportunities will be “open” to you.