How do you start each year? Do you set a list of goals you want to accomplish? Do you say a few New Year's resolutions and then develop a plan to take action? After listing goals and resolutions, do you go full speed ahead then find that by the end of January you are exhausted and slowly start to relinquish your goals and resolutions? This was definitely my story for many years. I never really gave up completely on my goals and resolutions, but through reflection I could see patterns of behavior and my story as it played out. I would work really hard at what I set out to accomplish, but then after a few weeks I realize I would start to lose ground on completion and the energy I used to tackle these new goals, would fade. Then I would start to feel bad. Really bad. My inner critic would start yelling words like... "You failed. Why can't you complete this? What's wrong with you?" That voice can be so brutally daunting, unforgiving, and relentless.
Then something magical happened. A few years ago, my good friend, Brian Burrell, had a Facebook post stating his approach to the new year was letting a word choose him. He credited his business coach, Christine Kane, for guiding him with this approach and shared a link regarding this remarkable, intuitive approach to the new year. I followed the link, read her post, and thought, "what do I have to lose?" So, I gave it a try... My life and world was forever changed. This new approach did exactly what her blog post said it would (Click on her name and it will take you to the blog post) it took the "should" out of my goals, called me out, and allowed me to create change within myself while honoring the space I was in at the time. For the last few years, the words that have chosen me are Trust, Acceptance, and Surrender. Powerful words that have a way of shaping us and molding us into something else. At the end of 2017, I felt that Surrender wanted to stay with me and it had more to teach me. As a result, I chose to listen and follow the path Surrender has for me.
By surrendering, I manifested a beautiful home with a dreamy art studio. I have allowed love to reenter my life. I've felt a love I've never experienced before with a partner that is fully committed, and as he puts it, "all in." I've had some success with commissioned art pieces that have allowed for connections with people, connections that have contributed to my soul's evolution. By surrendering fear, I have become part of an amazing group of women who are empowering, uplifting, and committed to their success in this life, as well as, the success of other women. Surrender has allowed me to step into the light and be big, instead of cowering in the corner in an attempt to be small and hidden. These steps led to conducting my first healing art workshops. Surrendering has allowed me to say YES more often and listen to the voice inside me that guides the direction of my heart. All of these lessons have given me a sense of empowerment, love and connections with my community while allowing me to serve myself and others on a deeper level.
As life would have it, there have been some unexpected turns and uncomfortable gifts. Gifts that continue to shape and mold me, awaken me to a deeper sense of self, and free me from the bondage my ego likes to enslave me with. My unexpected turns came in a few different forms and have allowed me to awaken to limiting beliefs I have encased my soul's growth with, limiting my abilities to manifest more in my life. I realized recently, that although I call my challenges uncomfortable gifts and I see them positively as areas of opportunity for growth, I also had a limiting belief surrounding it. This limiting belief states I need challenges in order to grow, which I realize is not true. I can continually grow without having earth shattering change and challenges.
Over the last few months, we have dealt with the death of a loved one, my mom's deteriorating health with hospitalization, my mom having cancer again, and having to locate a different house to live in. Grieving the loss of my yummy art studio. All of these unexpected turns have hit my family at the same time and are equally difficult in their own way. Surrender has really opened my eyes, called me out on my story, and allowed me the opportunity to grow. I'm not sure where she's leading me, but I know I'm going to be okay. I know that the Divine order of things is watching over me, supporting me in my journey, and will provide whatever I need at the moment of need. I know I am loved and that this love is unconditional and infinite. So, I take her hand and follow wherever she leads, surrendering to her process and will. And it is here through surrendering, that I will blossom into my soul's evolution and what my heart desires.
Image 1: ©2015 Toni Becker, Whimsical Jewels "Letting Go"
Image 2: ©2016 Toni Becker, Whimsical Jewels "Transformation 3"
Image 3: ©2017 Toni Becker, Whimsical Jewels "Bloom"
Then something magical happened. A few years ago, my good friend, Brian Burrell, had a Facebook post stating his approach to the new year was letting a word choose him. He credited his business coach, Christine Kane, for guiding him with this approach and shared a link regarding this remarkable, intuitive approach to the new year. I followed the link, read her post, and thought, "what do I have to lose?" So, I gave it a try... My life and world was forever changed. This new approach did exactly what her blog post said it would (Click on her name and it will take you to the blog post) it took the "should" out of my goals, called me out, and allowed me to create change within myself while honoring the space I was in at the time. For the last few years, the words that have chosen me are Trust, Acceptance, and Surrender. Powerful words that have a way of shaping us and molding us into something else. At the end of 2017, I felt that Surrender wanted to stay with me and it had more to teach me. As a result, I chose to listen and follow the path Surrender has for me.
Life has many unexpected turns that have the ability to crack me open and allow break through to happen, if I allow it, through the act of surrendering. Over the years, I have noticed several opportunities for this level of awakening and transformation. There have been times when I allowed change and transformation to occur, but usually never at a full surrender. My ego still wanted me to be in control and as a result I would resist or try to manipulate the situation so I could feel "in control". Do you know that saying, "what we resist, will persist?" So, surrender and I are doing this elaborate dance with one another. She leads and I'm trying my best to surrender control and follow. In 2017, I saw some changes within myself as a result of my new friend, Surrender, and thankfully I have been able to recognize when she shows up to teach me something new.
By surrendering, I manifested a beautiful home with a dreamy art studio. I have allowed love to reenter my life. I've felt a love I've never experienced before with a partner that is fully committed, and as he puts it, "all in." I've had some success with commissioned art pieces that have allowed for connections with people, connections that have contributed to my soul's evolution. By surrendering fear, I have become part of an amazing group of women who are empowering, uplifting, and committed to their success in this life, as well as, the success of other women. Surrender has allowed me to step into the light and be big, instead of cowering in the corner in an attempt to be small and hidden. These steps led to conducting my first healing art workshops. Surrendering has allowed me to say YES more often and listen to the voice inside me that guides the direction of my heart. All of these lessons have given me a sense of empowerment, love and connections with my community while allowing me to serve myself and others on a deeper level.
As life would have it, there have been some unexpected turns and uncomfortable gifts. Gifts that continue to shape and mold me, awaken me to a deeper sense of self, and free me from the bondage my ego likes to enslave me with. My unexpected turns came in a few different forms and have allowed me to awaken to limiting beliefs I have encased my soul's growth with, limiting my abilities to manifest more in my life. I realized recently, that although I call my challenges uncomfortable gifts and I see them positively as areas of opportunity for growth, I also had a limiting belief surrounding it. This limiting belief states I need challenges in order to grow, which I realize is not true. I can continually grow without having earth shattering change and challenges.
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Over the last few months, we have dealt with the death of a loved one, my mom's deteriorating health with hospitalization, my mom having cancer again, and having to locate a different house to live in. Grieving the loss of my yummy art studio. All of these unexpected turns have hit my family at the same time and are equally difficult in their own way. Surrender has really opened my eyes, called me out on my story, and allowed me the opportunity to grow. I'm not sure where she's leading me, but I know I'm going to be okay. I know that the Divine order of things is watching over me, supporting me in my journey, and will provide whatever I need at the moment of need. I know I am loved and that this love is unconditional and infinite. So, I take her hand and follow wherever she leads, surrendering to her process and will. And it is here through surrendering, that I will blossom into my soul's evolution and what my heart desires.
Image 1: ©2015 Toni Becker, Whimsical Jewels "Letting Go"
Image 2: ©2016 Toni Becker, Whimsical Jewels "Transformation 3"
Image 3: ©2017 Toni Becker, Whimsical Jewels "Bloom"
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