Your Life is Your Life

(With special thanks today to Juliann . . . for hosting a monthly one-little-word check in over on her blog . . . . and for keeping the conversation going all year long.)

your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
    --- Charles Bukowski, the laughing heart

Intention.

It turns out this is the perfect word for me . . . right now, this year.
I'm having a great time exploring and thinking and connecting with my word.

Three months into 2019, where has intention pulled me?

• I've been doing a lot of thinking about why I do what I do.  (Knitting, for example.)
• I've become much more aware of "Future Kym."  (Like . . . how she's not a stranger at all, and how I ought be making more of my decisions with her in mind.)
• I'm discovering that wellness (in a holistic sense) is key to "living my best life."  (For the rest of my life.)

I've also begun compiling an "intention journal" filled with quotes and images and ideas that resonate with me as I explore my word.  This month, I added 3 poems.  This one, by Charles Bukowski, particularly fits my word . . . for me.

the laughing heart. charles bukowski

your life is your life
don't let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is a light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the odds will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can't beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.

==========

How about YOU?  What are you learning about your word this year?  I'd love to hear about it.

 

Comments

[Vera]

Well, I guess I have given up on my word (not really...but...). The thinking about it, writing about it was beginning to feel (for me) too much like a chore (and I don't need more chores!!). However, I am enjoying reading how others are exploring their own word and how it is resonating with them (and getting some great ideas for myself along the way).

[Dee]

I'm learning that I should not trust someone else's judgement over my own.

[Kat]

I love where your word is taking you! And, that poem is really wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing!

[Sarah]

I don't have an official word to focus on, but over the past year I've been making a concert effort to be better to myself and to focus on my own health and wellness. That's primarily meant eating a healthier diet and being more active (in order to lose weight and lower my cholesterol), but I'm also trying to be a better human being -- getting more involved in my community, helping others more, and learning more about who I am and my place in the word.

[Jo]

I don’t have a word—may I borrow yours?

[Patty]

I've not done much with my word. I have tried a couple of things that are outside of my wheel house so I do believe that explore is part of those experiences. I do like that poem though and the thought process that's come along with it. xo

[Carole]

You are most definitely marvelous! XOXO

[margene]

This is a great poem. You do such good work at achieving and understanding your "word". After my week of facing mortality and not knowing (exactly) where I was (health wise), I thought a lot about where I'm going and how to face my "wellness". Perspective is everything. I'm feeling good about my future self and will work hard to stay on my current path (even though I am wordless).

[Juliann]

I love this word for you. It seems like such a good fit for you.

[Mary]

I love these monthly check-ins ... sharing ideas is inspiring, no matter what our words are. I've also been spending a lot of time on your first question "why do I do what I do" ... and figuring that out is helping me make better decisions about how I spend my time - and what outcomes I expect/need.