Weekend Creative : February #3 : Revisiting One Little Word
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yoga self portrait : camera sitting on floor using the timer
Hello mid-February, what have you done with my word?
This morning I decided to go looking for it again. We were doing nicely, my word + I, for the first month or so and then things (also known as the crazy business of life) got in the way.
Last year my word was peace. What I liked about that word was that it lived just beneath the surface and it was perfectly comfortable there. I could whisper it to center myself or simply call it up in my mind when I needed a reminder to take a deeper breath or to take a step back from a situation. It simply existed within me - which was what I really needed at that point in time.
This year my word (vitality) requires more action. I want it to require more action. I want it to get me into the gym each morning after I drop Simon off at school. I want it to guide me in making healthy choices for myself. I think I need something a bit louder than a whisper this year. I think I literally need to say my word out loud when I need that push to take action.
Which brings me to Seinfeld.
Remember back in the day on Seinfeld when George's Dad would say/yell out "SERENITY NOW" when he gets frustrated in an effort to keep his blood pressure down?
So why not "VITALITY NOW." And seriously, this sort of life action needs some humor as a partner to get me to change my ways.
The only person who can make this happen for myself is me. One choice at a time. One day at a time.
Your creative prompt this weekend is to check-in with your own word. (Don't have one yet? Read here for more info on the one little word concept.) Where does your word live? Is it a beneath-the-surface or in-your-face sort of word? What are you doing to actively reflect on your word if yours is one that needs something a little bit more participation? Or maybe your word is simply percolating which may be just the perfect place for it to be at this time. Either way, take a bit of time this weekend for a mid-February date with your word.
(You can see the entire Serenity Now episode here.)
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61 comments
Ali, you inspire so many people in so many different ways....Through the years I have learned to look at my life in many capacities....You always know how to put a unqiue "spin" on everyday life....
Hugs...
Dedra...
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:)
That is probably my fave episode of all :)
Glad to have you back from CHA- it was kinda lonley not getting the slice of Ali's life every day (well minus the product faves)
Mine is "acomplish" (or Follow-thru) and I think that this weekend will be a good weekend for it :)
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I'm in the middle of painting my 6-year old's room, so thanks for the laugh! SERENITY NOW... INSANITY LATER!
I love it! :-)
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My word this year is Simplicity and is working well for me - purging old stuff, looking at the entire picture and reflecting, breathing and taking hold of it all - with slow, thought out good intentions......I took the word with me to CHA - methodical walking , taking time to LOOK, making sure it will be the best for the store - no impulse purchases.....I think that my word will make me a better friend and employer...I did purchase the word (distressed wood and about 6 inches tall & 3 feet long ) at of all places a grocery store ( that has a fantastic gift section ). My word is on top of my computer desk right as you walk in - cannot miss it !!! Simple, simplicity ~ new way of life for me and so far it is a success ~~ To you I thank over and over again....
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Love it...going to watch the episode now!
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My word is "Listen." And regretfully, I have not given it a chance yet this year. But its not too late, right?
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This year I chose "edit". I'm examining all kinds of things in my life and asking myself "do I love this?" and "is holding onto this serving me?" I've spent a lot of this winter purging stuff, and am slowly working on editing my thoughts and behaviors. Scary and powerful.
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love this post - love Seinfeld too! : ) Thanks for the great reminder . . . darn, now I have to go dust of my word and put it out there again.
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I must say - you are quite popular amongst my own readers! I was curious, so I clicked on your blog and found it soooo appropriate that you posted this since my blog is named Serenity Now. I had to watch the Seinfeld video just to reminisce :) Thanks!
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Ah, patience. Patience is my word. Somedays it is a quiet reminder under the surface, other days I scream it to myself! Seriously, I do. When it comes to my 3 kids, and days are getting hectic, instead of yelling at the kids, I yell "PATIENCE!" to myself. Other times I actually say it to myself in Spanish, that seems to calm me down a bit. I'll use my word a lot this weekend. It's our 7 year wedding anniversary but my husband is in Korea and I am not. So I need to have patience for our reunion... "Patience Angie, Patience."
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I needed to think about my word (fun) today. After finding out yesterday that two friends have cancer I have been rolling backward. We are all things Seinfeld at our house and my husband does the "serenity now" thing and "hoochie mama" all the time! I, especially now, want to help my friends find fun in their lives in spite of their newly discovered cancer.
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How does your valentine like his pretty red book? I'll bet it is a huge hit. My valentine likes the book i made for him as well.
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oh, yes, and as a yogi I appreciate your repeating the yoga pose photo.
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The other day when my 4 year old fell asleep in the car, I told my husband "Serenity now ... INSANITY later!" because we knew if he was napping in the car, bedtime would be difficult ... and it was.
It's amazing how much a part of our cultural dialog Seinfeld still is, many years after the show's end!
Good luck with Vitality now and something even better later. :)
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Love the photo Ali -- cool idea! Gym time does feel good and I've been pushing myself to do a lot of it in the last few months too. I'll have to see if I can get someone to take a picture -- I usually work out before my kids get up and it's dark. This could be a challenge...
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I visit your blog often and have finally thought of my word but thought it's a bit late to choose one in feb. Then read todays blog, Thank you. The word I have chosen is FAITH not in the religious sense but more in the "To have" sense.
Thank you for your inspiring blog.
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Haha. Love the video clip. Will think on my word this weekend.
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I LOVE a good seinfeld reference!!! one of my favorite episodes.... SERENITY NOW!!!!!
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My word is JOY. It simmers below the surface and I'm amazed at how often it bubbles to the surface so I can recognize the joy all around me. I am trying to keep up with my journal and journaling all the joys I've witnessed/experienced so far this year. Thanks for reminding me to keep it simmering.
Sue
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Serenity now LOL :)
But that is a good idea, say your word OUT LOUD, don't just think it.
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