2012 Word of the Year

I started the practice of choosing a word of the year several years ago.
Looking back I am surprised at how my word unfolded differently than
I expected and yet not at all surprising.

Unlike previous years, my word for this year came to me as a great surprise.
And though I wrote about it in my personal journals, I never talked about it here
because quite frankly the word scares me.

It scares me because it contains an opportunity to change...something which I
continue to struggle with as I'm sure many of you do.

Because of that fear of change, I really felt called to be quiet with it and
let my word teach me a few things before I shared it.
So what is my word for 2012?

I created this wordle using synonyms when my word made it's presence known.
I made several different versions and hung it in places where I would see it
many times a day.

3 months into this new year as I check in with myself about how things are
unfolding, the word I was so private about has been taking a different shape
than my fear riddled brain could imagine for it.

Emergence has been filled with far more grace and ease than I imagined.

I feel positively giddy with excitement with all that has come forth
I want to acknowledge this...celebrate it.
And why not? There is so much to celebrate!
Let's make a list shall we?

Grief has lifted it's heavy veil and I feel as though I'm truly emerging from
a deep dark sleep.  I find myself looking forward to my mom's birthday this
month with great joy despite still missing her presence.

Starting Project Past Life is growing into a wonderful family bonding experience
as pictures and stories from our family's life together are emerging after nearly
10 years being stuffed in a footlocker unloved and unremembered.

And this website continues to emerge, grow and evolve! 
New online workshops, meditations and product are emerging
from my creative cauldron just waiting to be shared.
I still love sharing and growing this space with y'all...that's 'you all' in the
US Southern dialect.  See? Even my southern is emerging!

The more I EMERGE and share myself with you here, the more gifts I have to celebrate.

I want to send each of you who've read my blog, responded to posts, and
subscribed to my newsletter the most deep and sincere gratitude.