2019 Word Color Symbol

Happy New Year!!

This year, like the last several years, I've selected a word, color, and symbol of the year. I find that doing this helps me recalibrate when things in my life get a bit hectic or chaotic. It also keeps me grounded and focused on what feels important to me at the start of a new year. I do this instead of setting resolutions that I will probably forget by February and that don't really do much for helping me be more mindful. You might wonder why I pick the three. Well, here's a little bit about that and how I use the three to help me stay committed to my journey. 

The Word -- Reconnect

I choose a word in an effort to have a main focus for self-improvement. It gives me an instant affirmation and something that I can hold on to during the year as a sort of compass. It guides me back to my center when I start to stray. 

I use the word in these ways: 

• As an affirmation --- "I am reconnected." 
• As a journaling prompt -- "In what ways do I need to reconnect today, this week, this month, this year?" 
• As a focal point for my yearly vision board.
• As a question when I pull oracle or tarot cards for journaling and art inspiration. "How can I bring my awareness to reconnecting? " 
• In meditation as a centering moment. 

CLICK HERE to read about my 2018 word choice and HERE to read about 2017. 

The Color -- Sage Green

I like to have a color that I surround myself with each year as to call forth the power of that color. I use it in my artistic practice, in the way I dress, in my color choices for decor or planners or anything that I'll see and touch on a regular basis. I even sometimes try to use that ink color the most throughout the year. It also shows up a lot in my art practice. I'll buy lots of paint in that color or mix that color when I make art. I do color studies and research about the color in hopes of getting to know it better and use it more effectively. 

This year, I selected Sage Green for two really important reasons. One that I can't share just yet (but stay tuned). And I chose it because the herb sage has some tremendous powers for moving energy, clearing negative energy, and revitalize stagnant energy. Sage also enhances intuition and connection to our inner wisdom.

Sage green as a color is an earth tone. I LOVE earthy colors. It signifies wisdom, experience, judgement, peace, and growth. These are all things I want to evoke and call forth in 2019. 

The Symbol -- Health & Healing

The symbol is another way to center myself and something I like to use in art, meditation, journaling and my ongoing love of symbology. This year I selected a created symbol for health and healing. One that mimics the caduceus in some ways but that is also my way of thinking about all the ways the trinity shows up in my life: 

• Mind, body, soul
• Past, present, future
• Health, wealth, purpose
• Father, son, holy ghost
• Isis, Osiris, Horus 
• Joseph, Mary, Jesus
• Onion, celery, bell pepper (for the cooks out there -- we call it the Holy Trinity in the kitchen)
• Sun Sign, Moon Sign,  Ascending Sign (for all the astrology buffs -- this is the primal triad)
• Fountain pen, ink, paper (LOL!!! Had to throw that one in!!!)
• and on and on

For the last 23 years I have been on a journey to heal my mind, body, and soul. Each year I get a step closer to what I consider total health. I'm not there yet, but this year, I believe I can achieve a greater sense of physical health and a tremendous amount of mental and spiritual healing. I'm also working on healing generational wounds and past traumas, so this symbol means a lot to me and the work I do in the world with women and couples and the work I do for and on myself. 

The Practice

Selecting these three has become a ritual for me. I love the process of closing out one set of guides and making way for the new ones. This year I'm also doing a DEPTH YEAR and that brings on an added element for using the word, color, and symbol. I'll be asking myself how all of these things connect and using them to continue my journey towards becoming a better human. 

Do you select a word of the year? A color? How do you make sure to stay connected to them throughout the year? I'd love to hear what you're doing on your journey to becoming a better version of yourself.