Towards the end of last year it felt like I was given no choice but to surrender. And still I resisted it.
I had big plans for 2015. Bigger than big plans - a return to study, new work commitments and a few personal projects up my sleeve too, and daily blog writing (ha!)
The universe, of course, had other ideas but did promptly offer me my asked-for serving of big - in the form of our darling Ruby. 2015 was BIG in the best way.
It pushed me to rediscover myself, but mostly reminded me who I am and who I am striving to be.
I got better at letting go of the big {end} picture, instead focusing on doing what I could with what I had.
I came to believe that would be enough. That my best is as much as I can do.
I discovered so much more about trust. And that my intuition is always spot on.
I learnt to ask. And how to let my heart answer.
I improved at listening. And finally accepted that it's hard for me not to talk.
I realised that people like to help. And I realised that I'm pretty good at helping and supporting myself.
I discovered that in doing less, I am able to give more. And in surrendering to this, I have felt more alive than I ever have.
Almost two weeks ago I caught myself holding my breath. As I exhaled, the word surrender rolled off my tongue.
I knew immediately it was my one word for this year. My reminder to go slowly, to be present, to be kinder to myself.
xx
Have you chosen one word to guide your year? Do you set intentions? I'd love to know. Elisa x
~ Sharing my one word with Bron at Maxabella Loves here.
~ I'm excited to be finally putting my meditation training to good use this year. I'll be creating and soon sending out {monthly is the plan!} some free mindful word/photography prints, plus affirmations and journalling/meditation practices and prompts to go with them. If that sounds like your thing, feel free to add your email address via the form here.
2015 has been BIG! So much learning, so much joy, so much love.
Ruby came into our world mid year, and wow - the joy {my one word for this year} she brought with her! She is the most chilled out, happy baby. I suppose being No.3 she had no choice but to slot into the rhythm we had already created. Her energy has filled us up on love and gratitude. Ruby has redefined our family, completed it and shown us what we knew to be true - that joy is infectious and that with a new little person in our family our love grows, heightens, expands, evolves in the most wondrous way.
This year has thrown a whole lot of change our way, and there's been much transition for all of us - hello new jobs, starting school and kinder for the girls, and of course adjusting to our family of four becoming five. There's been times when I've laughed because the alternative was crying {think everyone with gastro except the eight-week-old baby!} and I've struggled with accepting that I just can't do everything I want to right now. But ultimately we've survived change, and with a whole lot of calm - more than I knew I had in me. I've constantly reminded myself that I've got this and I can support myself and do it well - and those affirmations have made a world of difference to me.
I've twice declared {perhaps demanded} at the end of a year that the following year be slow and gentle, no big changes. Both times the universe has promptly served up bigger than big years. I'm not falling for that lovely little trap again...
But this past month has seen me declare quite a few times that "Today is cancelled"... meaning all plans I had for this day are now thrown out the window... it might sound dramatic, but the minute I've discarded those plans {the to-do list, and what I felt I should be getting done} I've noticed a shift within me - surrender, acceptance... and I've become kinder to myself. It's reminded me that I have time, and to savour this time despite the day not panning out how I'd hoped.
So on that note I'm not going to berate myself about the fact that I wanted to make wishes for the New Year before December 31st, that I wanted to cement my one word for next year, to meditate on my goals and dreams and to recreate my vision board... Instead I'm surrendering - perhaps my biggest lesson this year {one I'm still learning}, trusting that time will present, and choosing to savour now - including it's messiness and incomplete plans.
xx
Wishing you a wonder-filled end to 2015, and some time to slow, reflect and set your intentions for 2016! May your year be marvellous and happy!
Biggest thanks too for the comments and messages here and on instagram during my blog hiatus - I am so grateful for the support.
Oh and here's the SOMETHING NEW! >> While the loose plan for my next few days is some journalling and family time, I'm excited to get back to the blog and to this year send out some FREE mindfulness-inspired word/photography prints I am creating {each with individual affirmations, and instructions on how to best print them} - if that sounds like your thing, there's a sign-up on the sidebar, with the first print to be sent out before the end of January. Elisa xx
Five months ago I had a play at creating some prints using my words {words inspired by life, love, gratitude and the stories on my blog}.
Inspired by my morning ritual I wrote: "Look to the sky and see wonder in sunshine, rainbows, starry nights, shades of blue, cloudy days, sunset and the full moon."
And then came words for my girls.
For the big {little} girl: "It's a sunny day every day I am with you."
And for the baby girl: "Sweet dreams my beautiful baby. I love you forever."
{These words, now made into 8inch x 10inch prints, sit framed next to the bookshelves in their room.}
I wrote these words as a reminder for my heart. Inspired by this post.
I wanted them to be the first thing I saw in the morning, so they became a print to sit on my bedside table.
Then came mantras I love: Give thanks. Dream big. Choose happiness. Be mindful. Find joy. Just breathe. Go slowly. See love.
And {my favourite} a reminder of what I can choose to do each day:
All that was quickly followed by a request for words {Their love story began} for a bride and groom, and words {A star is born} for a special little someone who graced our family with his presence just recently.
Somehow {little by little} this part hobby, part dream {but mostly fun and my kind of creativity} came together.
And with a little portfolio of words and prints in a folder under my bed, I hesitantly decided it was okay {scary and exciting} to share them...
And so, I opened a little shop: word-art prints from the heart. Inspired by the stories on my blog.
xx
~ I'm so very grateful {a little blown away actually!} for the support, encouragement and kindness I have already been shown. There's a link to my etsy store in the sidebar, and a menu tab above too. Or you can view my word-art prints/designs here. I plan to share images of new designs via With Grace & Eve's facebook page {not on the blog}, if you would like to join me there too. Elisa xx
~ And links to just a few of the many bloggers who create and have inspired me recently: Krystal {Jack Loves Josie, and on facebook}, Julie {Button Tots}, Tammi {Dear Molly} and Rachel {Ink Paper Sew, and on facebook}.
{Falling into place: my post on the journey of an idea to a little dream to this little shop is here.}
Have you started a new venture lately? What or who is inspiring you right now? x
