My Word For The Year

I don't do resolutions. I choose a word to focus on for the year. I usually choose a word for the year long before this date. It is not because I have been sick but more that I couldn't find a word I liked, that felt right, that I really resonated with.  That was until last night.  It became clear that my word should be

DEEP

For awhile now I have been wanting to go deeper in my art. I talk about it but I just don't go there.  I think I stay on the surface where its comfortable.  I have bought all these canvasses but then I never paint on them.  I really want this year to be about going deeper. To go below the surface of what I think is possible, to face my fears and dig through all my self-imposed limitations and become an explorer of sorts.

This desire is not just concerning art either. I find that when I am writing in my journal its on the surface too, or when I write a blog post, or work on my novel writing.  I never go deep enough. I am sure it will include facing all sorts of fears that are holding me back.  I am also going to do another 100 Day Reality Challenge with this same focus. I want to look at where else am I on the surface, in the comfort zone, where am I not present in my own life.

It is bound to be an exciting journey. I don't want to live the same year over and over again.  I want growth, I want change. I know it might be messy but I am will to take the leap, to jump off the cliff, to go where I haven't gone before. Am I a little scared, you bet I am. A little fear never hurt anyone.  It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Mark Twain.

 Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.


Have you chosen your word for the year? Tell me about it in the comments.