New Year Rituals - Words, Colors, Symbols

For the last 5 or 6 years I've been selecting a word of the year based on Ali Edwards and her One Little Word. Then, in 2013 I decided to select a color of the year. And in 2014 I added a symbol to that list. So now, every year, I select a word, a color, and a symbol to guide my year. 

This year I decided to think less about what the word is and more about how I want to feel at the end of the year. And I wanted a word that would stretch me and push me out of my comfort zone. At the end of 2016 I want to feel as though I have savored every single moment of the year. I don't care how much stuff I acquired or even how much money I made -- NOPE -- I just want to remember how much I laughed, how many hugs I gave and received, how many people I made smile and the special moments I spent with the people I love.

2015 was a tough year for me in the "feeling" department. I wasn't always clear about how I wanted to feel when I made a decision or entered into a situation and so in a few instances, I walked away feeling rather bruised, misunderstood, and downright shunned. But I don't fault anyone but myself because I wasn't intentional about how I wanted the experience/situation to feel. So this year, I don't want a repeat. That's why I'm starting with the end in mind and being really clear on how I show up, who I pull close, and what moments I create that will be worth savoring. 

At the end of the year, I want to look back and say -- YES!!!! I savored life beautifully, fully, and intentionally. Hence the word SAVOR. Think about it -- when we savor something, it means we took time to experience it fully. You can't rush through a meal and savor it at the same time -- it just can't happen. So when I think about what is required of me to savor life, I know it means I have to slow down a bit, be more mindful, experience with intention, and be in the moment. 

The color EMERALD hold lots of special meaning for me this year. First, it's connected to the energy of empowerment and I always want to feel empowered -- see there's that phrase showing up again -- I WANT TO FEEL. The second reason is that it is the name of the intimate group mastermind program I run called The Emerald Experience -- 7 fabulous, creative, soul-centered entrepreneurs who I get to walk beside and support as they build businesses they love. The group is already off to an amazing start with so many powerful affirmations and ideas for 2016.   

The MANDALA is my symbol this year because in my quest to be more intentional and more mindful, I know that means I need to re-establish my mediation, yoga, and chanting practices. I've gotten away from them since moving from California. One of the reasons I paint, doodle, and make books is because I go into a zone when I'm doing those things and at the end, feel like I've just come out of meditation. So the mandala is my visual reminder to meditate and savor life in order to feel more empowered. And, I just love drawing them. 

Here are 9 Mandalitas (a term I borrowed from my creative pal Amy Egenberger) that I created for the 2013 Art Everyday Month Challenge. 

Here are a few ladies I follow and their take on the One Little Word.

• Bindi Shah
• iHanna
• Christine Kane

As I step into this new year and give myself the best chance for more experiences that are worthy of savoring, I invite you to share your word, color, or symbol (or all three if you want) below in the comments. Of course I want to hear from you and see how the new year is treating you so far.