Last year I was in a New Year’s yoga class and we were asked to think of a word of intention for the year. I loved this, resolutions are really meant to be broken. They are so often unachievable goals, of course we aren’t going to lose 20 lbs in two months with only a gym membership…. quitting smoking is really hard if there isn’t meaning behind the reason… and let’s face it, saying “No more screen time for the kids” is simply not realistic. (especially since I will continue to be on the computer and to watch my televised addictions) So, I loved the idea of a word, a mantra, to take with me into the year. No commitment to change drastically, just a commitment to hold this word in my heart and think of it. Last year my word was Remembrance, I found that just thinking of the word in quiet moments, during a yoga class, dealing with my children, helped me to remember. Remember who I wanted to be and what I wanted my family to be. Fortunately, (maybe unfortunately, we will ask them in a few years) my intentions also become my family’s intention. Last year, we tried to spend a lot more time with grandparents and telling the kids stories of our past and of our family members that aren’t with us. I love that even though they didn’t get a ton of time with their Grandpa Pete, they will always remember him. I also found myself volunteering to help plan my 15 year class reunion…. scary, but ended up being so fun! I didn’t realize it at the time but Teenager Stephanie was an awesome girl and as I continue to remember her, I am sure I will learn a lot from her. Remembrance.
This year’s word was Mindfulness, which as it turns out, isn’t actually a word! Oops, so we are going to go with Being Mindful.
mind·ful
adjective \ˈmīn(d)-fəl
Yoga Mama in Minneapolis 