What is your word for 2023?
Each year, I sit in reflection. I observe the path in the year passed and give shape to the one that's inviting me to step into.
Each year, I choose one word to be my guide. My compass. My companion when the mists of trials cloud my vision. My source of Truth.
2020 - Hope & Fearlessness
2021 - Transcendence
2022 - Breakthroughs
2023 - …
2020 - Hope & Fearlessness
It was a year that - for many of us - probably required the strength of two words instead of one.
Hope & Fearlessness were mine.
I chose Fearlessness for carving new paths I dared only dream of. And the Hope that whatever may come of it, it'll work out as intended.
In 2020 Voices Unleashed was birthed. And I'd like to think I infused my part of it with these words, so that others would feel fearless to express themselves authentically and carry the hope that it would lead to a deeper love and connection to themselves.
2021 - Transcendence
This was not chosen out of a wish for pseudo-enlightenment, but came from a commitment to step up.
To - as Robert Greene puts it in his book ‘Mastery' - elevate to another plateau of operating.
Transcendence in how I hold myself. How I breathe life into the things I do. How to step up. I honestly believe that year made me a better man.
2022 - Breakthroughs
Break, Through.
Be careful what you wish for when you start a year with the word "Break".
In 2022 I saw heartbreak, I saw golden opportunities rise and fall, it saw me break down mentally and physically. It saw me break down an image I held of myself in the projects I've given heart to.
But much like Robert Frost's famous line "The only way is through"…
The second half of the year I broke through.
And through the cracks, the light comes in.
I broke through my disconnect with nature by picking up surfing.
I broke through to new ways of taking care of health with detoxes and rejuvenation.
I broke through what it means to be of higher service to those I love, crossing countries to honour friendships.
I broke through on sharing creatively and hey, look at that: Tea for The Curious.
I broke through the false belief of 'having to do everything alone' and found that asking for help when it's needed most, is almost always answered with Love.
I broke through the shield of my heart and opened up again to love.
And Voices Unleashed broke through in a way that it became even more of a community-held idea as it moved to other countries and was carried further by fantastic people in the community.
To Recap - The 4 biggest lessons of 2022
✓ Nature and love are your greatest teachers
✓ Truth in your heart and on your tongue is a better compass
✓ When you open up to what you need, the universe answers
✓ Curiosity leads you further than Knowledge
2023 - Sharpen & Soften
And now, here we are, on the doorstep of another plateau. 365 days to make our own. This year I choose two words as my companions. Sharpen and Soften.
Sharpen my aim.
Sharpen my commitment.
Sharpen my servitude.
Servitude to my higher self. Servitude not from giving until depleted, but in service when called upon. (for the HD Projectors among us, that's an important one)
And to Soften.
To be more compassionate with myself and others.
Make all decisions, difficult and easy, from Love.
Soften into being.
Soften into joy.
Soften into yes, life challenges us, and we get to choose our response.
I’ve witnessed how The Power of Words reverberates
through our every actions and shapes our lives.
So, please, do tell, what is your word for 2023?
New love & business growth
Beautiful reflection, Roel. And I love your contrasting words for 2023- a power combo :) Happy New Year.