2023: A Year of Grace and Possibility

Rather than working on a New Year's resolution, set an intention. Instead of working on a goal, work on a way of being. You do this by picking two words to focus on throughout the year--intentions to live by.

My words this year are Grace and Possibility.

This method is about changing from the inside to see the changes manifest on the outside. This post is about what to expect when you pick your two words and how working on your inner game can shape you as a person and as a leader.

The Fun of Picking Your Two Words

The enjoyable part of picking your two words is that your awareness magnifies. The moment you pick your two words, the universe conspires to give you insights. The moment I picked my two words, I saw a book, The Art of Possibility and I immediately purchased it. In my morning meditation practice I started seeing possibility all around me, in what I offer, how it's offered, how I see myself and how I see others. What seemed limiting before somehow seemed possible just by focusing on the word "possibility."

The Disadvantage of Focusing on Two Words

There's a down side to picking your two words. When you create anything including intentions, the opposite is also revealed to you. You don't automatically "attract" what you desire, in fact you often attract the opposite. For example, if you want to create a mindset of possibility, the possibility will often come through the illusion that there's no other choice. When you experience of the world as unfair, when you're disappointed, or when what you want want seems impossible, the possibility is just waiting to be revealed.

When you work on your way of being, the story that's holding you back will be revealed to you. You'll see everything that is opposite of your intention. This brings me to my second word, grace.

I want to be more gracious and go with the flow. I want to accept people for who they are and stay out of assumptions. With this new awareness I've seen instances where I'm not that gracious. I can be impatient. I can talk too fast, and get easily disappointed in myself and others. (Sometimes I wish I wouldn't have picked the word "grace" for 2023. ) Nonetheless, I'm thankful for what's being revealed, and my opportunity to embody grace and possibility.

If you want to learn my method, of picking then embodying two words for 2023, here's the exercise below.

The Exercise

This is the exercise that helps you to embody your new intentions: You must answer two questions:

1. What is the absence of _________(your chosen word?)
2. What is the embodiment of _________(your chosen word?)

1. The absence of grace looks like this

• Always having the answer but never having the question
• Being too quick to speak
• Judging
• Unsolicited advice
• righteousness
• Impatience
• Inconsiderate
• Rough around the edges

2. The embodiment of grace looks like this

• Genuine curiosity
• Trusting the journey
• Slower to speak; more deliberate
• Thoughtful
• Considerate
• Meeting people where they are
• Seeing others as equal in value
• Accepting of myself and others

I hope your 2023 is everything you want it to be. I know from experience that you don't have to force it. You can speed it along by being the person you want to be. You do that by embodying your highest values, and the commitment to working on your inner game.

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