A More Realistic New Year’s Resolution - What’s Your Word for 2021?
/A few years ago, during a particularly difficult time in my life, I ran across a company called My Intent. The whole idea behind their brass washer bracelets is to choose one word, and work on it throughout specific time period of your choice. Based on the fact that most people rarely follow through on a list of New Year’s Resolutions, and I am one of those people, I loved the idea of working on just one word or idea instead!
So, I ordered a kit to make my own brass washer bracelet from www.MyIntent.org, and have been making a new bracelet or keychain each year since. You can have My Intent stamp your washer, and make your bracelet for you, or you can order a kit and make your own. Being a hands-on person, I love to learn new things, and like to make them on my own. There’s something satisfying about the creative process. Initially, the My Intent bracelets were made to tie on your wrist permanently which is nice if you never have a reason to take it off (they have since started making them with a sliding knot). I however, wanted the ability to take my bracelet off in the event that it is necessary - like getting an x-ray, or having surgery. I also wanted a different color for the strap, and chose to order some “Blue Bird” brand 2mm waxed cotton that I used the first couple of years to make a strap with a nice lobster claw clasp. Blue Bird waxed cotton is made in Maine, and they carry a large variety of colors and thicknesses of waxed cotton. I honestly never took it off unless I absolutely had to. The last couple of years I chose to use a very thin nylon waxed thread from “Rings & Things”, one of my favorite online jewelry component companies located in Spokane, Washington. I like the thinner, more feminine look, and it doesn’t fade or stretch. It also didn’t break, and still looked brand new when it was time for the next year’s bracelet.
My first year, I chose “Let Go”. Not because of the “Frozen” movie, but because of a sad, toxic relationship with two particularly important people who had been part of my life for over 50 years. This was a most difficult decision to make, but after much fasting, prayer and professional counseling, I knew this was the best choice for me and my own little family. I had to cut the lifeline in order to move forward in a positive healthy manner, and do my best to “Let it Go”. As Christians, we are required in life to turn the other cheek. This does not mean that we are expected to keep running back into abusive situations whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. It is ok for us to stand up for ourselves, and even more so, to stand up for what is right. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy, and sometimes being happy means we must make the sometimes difficult choice to let go of the people or things preventing us from the happiness He so desires us to have.
My second year, I was still working on “Letting it Go”, but chose to add “Have Fun” – because this is something I have always secretly been afraid to do! It really is OK to give yourself permission to go out and have some fun!!! Especially with the world we live in today! And instead of a bracelet, I made a keychain that I hooked to the zipper on my purse. My third year, I didn’t use the washer from My Intent, but instead found a fun silver oval piece on Etsy with the words already printed on it, “Be Happy”. Just looking at my little bracelet always brought a smile to my face.
My fourth year, I chose “Light”, because that is the year I really began earnestly posting on this blog. Looking back over my life, the one constant thing I have always returned to is “Light”! Light will forever be my goal. Whether I’m seeking to find light, or serving others by sharing my light, it is important to fill each and every day of our lives with light! I also changed it up a little and made this bracelet using porcelain letter beads and Swarovski crystal beads with brass spacer beads, strung on “Beadalon – Elasticity 0.50mm clear stretch elastic cord”, securing the square knot with a drop of G-S Hypo Cement Crystal Glue – all from “Rings & Things”.
My fifth year is this year, 2021, and I couldn’t decide between “Love” or “Be Kind”, so I did both. I will continue wearing “LIGHT” but adding “LOVE” and “BE KIND” wearing all three together. Kindness is something we can all work on every day. With face-to-face communication happening less and less, it seems many people say things to others through texting, emails, and social media they would never say to them face-to-face. It feels like so many people are looking for ways to be offended if everyone around them doesn’t share the same opinion or philosophy. I have learned that people have different perceptions and beliefs, and that’s OK!!!! It doesn’t mean one person is right or wrong, it just means they have a different opinion. The important thing is that we all learn to respect other’s opinions without being offended. If we are offended, it is because we have chosen to allow ourselves to be offended. No one inflicts that upon us without our consent. When we take the high road, we spread light.
Just by wearing these words on my wrist for an entire year, or carrying them on my purse, gives me a daily reminder of the one simple goal I have chosen to set at the beginning of each year! It is fun, attainable, and I enjoy looking back over each year to see and feel the progress I have made. Others may not visibly see it, but that isn’t the point. The point is to see and feel my own progression. May we all strive to attain the goals we set for ourselves, as we share our light with those around us every day!
Love Ya,
Les