My One Word Mantra for 2020
January 2020, are you feeling it?
I wasn't ready to jump on the New Year Resolution bandwagon, 2019 finished at such a rip roaring pace (no complaining, I loved so much of it) but I know this decade is going to take more thought than a resolution to project the direction I intend to go. Keeping that mindful approach in mind, I’ve put a lot of thought into communicating this message to you <with the hopes you read until the end> ;)
Over the holidays, my family and I had a chance to have dinner with "newer" friends. When I say "newer" friends we met a few years ago. We hit it off like long lost friends, as if we had known each other for a whole lifetime. I like those types of friends. Every time we visit their hometown of Minneapolis we make a point for a quick meet up.
Note #1 --> staying connected to people near or far is key to building good relationships.
This holiday visit was exceptional because we were able to meet with our new friends and the bite to eat wasn’t quick fix. It was a nice, long, leisurely meal filled great conversation and probably a little too much food, but the dinner party players present included 5/6 of my family members, our new friends and their youngest offspring too. One of the best parts was very limited use of cell phones. ;) That is exceptional and I'm thrilled to have moments like those!
Our friend starting talking about the new decade and asked us to share an intentional WORD for 2020. She named this coming new year ZOZO. We all looked at her and questioned "What's ZOZO?" She explained - the new year looks like the word ZOZO because the 2's in 2020 look like the letter Z.
Brilliant new word - ZOZO - Go Get It! I’m all over that.
How often do we get sick of the catchphrase "New Year, New You?" Picking a WORD or MANTRA that adds focus and intention to our day. It becomes an anchor instead of a resolution we don't keep. One WORD to set the tone for when times get tough and you need to regroup/reset. One WORD that helps you change the tiny habits into big lifestyle changes.
If you picked a WORD to lead you this New Year, please comment and share it below!
I had a little bit of a problem with "go around the table and speak your WORD game". I wasn't thinking of 2020/ZOZO even though it was two days away. And I wasn't sure I wanted to think about it during that dinner. For God sake, I still had to finish the Last 90 Days, 5 to Thrive Challenge. LOL
The real reason I didn't want to play was, I'm pretty sure I am a born procrastinator. I get shit done, but I enjoy being quite spontaneous about it because it feels authentic to me. I'm not a planner, but I will say I envision how I want my life to be. I set BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals), but I have learned that I have to allow life to happen around me which may detour the plan while doing so and learn to still be happy about it. I guess you could also say, I like the thrill of finishing things last minute because it helps me practice my good stress response reflexes. ;)
Anyone else feel like they are a procrastinator? Reply and share why you prefer to put things off too, I’m curious.
As everyone around the table took their turn stating their intention for ZOZO, I felt inspired. Their energy and excitement inspired me to get real about this discussion and commit to what I wanted to put forth.
Note #2 —-> Surround yourself with real people who motivate you!
I thought of all the things I had learned this past year. The word that came up was INFLAMMATION. I learned significant facts about the human body, unfortunately for me it was firsthand and through a very significant person in my life. I learned how interrelated the nervous system and brain organizes messages throughout our body. I have learned that inflammation is miserable and we have many options in getting out of pain.
Inflammation can slow down fluid movement, increase tension on the nerves, and produce the sensation of aches and pains. Some will feel it in their joints, like knuckles of the fingers or in the knees, while others will feel the tension arise in their the low back, neck or shoulders.
What do we want to do then? Sit more? Stop moving? See a chiropractor? Get a massage? Though not bad ideas (love them myself), but aches and tension are your body's way of speaking to you. Sometimes you need to sit down and rest if you've been going nonstop. For the most part I do NOT recommend a passive solution to pain reduction. Movement is medicine. Your body is talking to you.
Acknowledge it by moving it.
The most astonishing thing I learned that was previously underestimated in my toolbox of self-care, inflammation responds to the power of TOUCH. Reiki energy work as a self-healing modality is a real unexplainable thing. I want to recognize the teachers and doctors, Shannon Chada, Pamela Hunter, Tom Moran who trained my mindset. It has changed how I heal and respond. I am also happy to announce I am offering Reiki energy work sessions at Golden Door Wellness to share this energy work. Please contact me for appointment time options. Look for meditation classes with acupuncture to pop up in this beautiful space soon.
I recommend relieving tension not only by improving mobility, but also by increasing strength and stability in a place that may feel “unstable” through movement. Jill Miller, my teacher and mentor, her Yoga Tune Up® trainings and immersion courses, and Jill’s book The Roll Model®, a Step-by-Step Guide to Erase Pain, Improve Mobility and Live Better in Your Body are valuable resources in improving my well-being. I welcome you to learn more, take a class or workshop with me. When you self-massage, moving cellular waste out of your lymph with your hands or Yoga Tune Up® therapy balls, you have a greater chance of mitigating chronic pain.
I hope you follow in the ways I want to TOUCH your life that upregulate energy and vitality to your mind, body and spirit. My hope is to have earned a place in your self-care modalities and promise to make you smile with a little sarcasm and sass. I want to be a reminder why all self-care empowerment tools including breath, yoga, mobility, mindfulness are so important to living optimally at your highest potential.
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Finally, I want to announce a new program I’m launching. Flex Your Mind, Muscle & Might. A comprehensive program that TOUCHES all aspects of body, mind and spirit. Learn more about the program here.
Hope ZOZO is finding you reaching new heights!
Hugs, TOUCH & Love,
Jules