With 2009 ticking closer, we imagine fresh possibilities and renew promises to ourselves and our families. Last year at this time I wrote about setting an intention instead of making a New Year's resolution. Parenting resolutions seem to be planted in guilt and irrational perfectionism – if only you never got angry, never over-reacted, were always patient, always happy. Then, reality takes over and you find yourself screaming about lost shoes, grumbling about short attention spans and dreading yet-another-dinner to cook.I still believe in Jean Illsley Clarke’s “developmental affirmations” that I use in Mommy & Me classes every year. But this year I want to share Christine Kane’s “resolutionary” alternative to new year’s resolutions. I attended Christine’s Big Dreams Retreat in November and recommend it to women and mothers everywhere. Christine’s New Year's idea is to choose one word that gives voice to your heart's dreams and guide your actions.
Here are some words from Christine’s list: Effortlessness, Gratitude, Creativity, Kindness, Acceptance, Courage, Confidence, Self-Love, Forgiveness, Trust, Patience, Fun, Grace, Laughter, Love, Adventure, Openness, Discipline, Gentleness, Attention, Ritual, Order, No,
Yes.
A complete list of Christine’s “words” can be found in her January 2008 post and the power of those words in women's lives can be read in the December posts at christinekane.com/blog. The beauty of one word is that doesn’t scold you when you fall off the wagon. It bubbles up fresh every time. Are my actions and choices aligned with my word? Yes or No, adjust accordingly.
Hold your word close in 2009. Start the day saying your word. It is your talisman steering you on your parenting journey. If you’re satisfied that your one word has served you well, Christine says choose a second one but wait until June to realize all the ways your intention will shape and influence your life.
I picked my word for 2009 – it’s connections. I’ve always been an advocate for relationship-based learning for children where emotional connections are the foundation of all learning. I’ve believed that parents deserve support based on their strengths without being judged or criticized for mistakes (that trust is the foundation of change). Now, I want to remind myself that my purpose in writing, coaching, speaking and teaching is to honor essential relationships and to create new connections in 2009. I hope to be blogging more and to participate more fully in the on-line parenting community. Hope you'll be part of my big-dream for 2009!
I picked my word for 2009 – it’s connections. I’ve always been an advocate for relationship-based learning for children where emotional connections are the foundation of all learning. I’ve believed that parents deserve support based on their strengths without being judged or criticized for mistakes (that trust is the foundation of change). Now, I want to remind myself that my purpose in writing, coaching, speaking and teaching is to honor essential relationships and to create new connections in 2009. I hope to be blogging more and to participate more fully in the on-line parenting community. Hope you'll be part of my big-dream for 2009!
Happy New Year to you! May it be a year with more joy and more love for you and your family.
