We are scarcely 3 days into 2017 and already I feel a quiet power brewing for things to come this year. And as I do on most years, I seek to find a word that captures the essence of my intention for the year. I remember in 2013, the word was Create. In 2014, it was Serenity. 2016 was all about Wedding.
As I feel into this big energy for 2017, I find that my word and my intention for this year is: Forgiveness.
This is NOT a post about finding the "lesson" behind pain.
We've all probably had the experience of wanting to slap someone who tells you, "God only gives you a cross you can bear," or "there's always a silver lining," or "what's the lesson here?" None of that is truly helpful when you're in the grips of pain.
There are certain kinds of pain that only time and healing can make better. Perhaps it's the death of a loved one; or the void of a breakup; or the loss of a deeply cherished dream.
The quest to overcome adversity and emerge triumphant is the underlying storyline of every epic tale we love.
It's also the quest each one of us is on, right now.
Every day of our lives we are participating in the epic telling of our tale. Whether we're conscious of it or not, we are each striving to raise ourselves to a better place -- greater achievement, better health, joyous relationships, financial abundance, peaceful home... whatever it may be.
I just got back from an epic adventure in Cincinnati. You know the type of experience that leaves you feeling forever changed? That's the kind of experience I had.
And it was all in the context of attending a storytelling workshop, facilitated by storyteller & copywriter extraordinaire, Stella Orange.
I learned about telling stories.