Hello Creative QB’s,

On this last day of 2018, it’s in my nature to ponder the year that was. In the history of my many years, it was a good one. Sometime back in December I started thinking about 2019 with intention. Not like a resolution or something to achieve, but more like a way of being, like a sub category of meaning or purpose to my creative life. One word kept surfacing very strongly – ‘acceptance’, so I listened.

2 minute read

I love this time of year, between Christmas and New Year. It’s when hot days melt into one another, forgetting what day of the week it is and the usual time and toil of daily life gives in to lazy heat and afternoon snoozes between the pages of a good holiday read.

On this last day of 2018, it’s in my nature to ponder the year that was. In the history of my many years, it was a good one. There where certainly big and little bumps along the way but I was more present to the endings and beginnings, learning and stretching, letting go and inviting in.

Sometime back in December I started thinking about 2019 with intention. Not like a resolution or something to achieve, but more like a way of being, like a sub category of meaning or purpose to my creative life. I began asking myself, “What could 2019 look like” and “What is one word to describe the possibility of 2019”?. I’ve asked myself this little question for a couple of years because I gave up on New Years Resolutions, favouring a theme or word that evoked possibility for the year ahead. You can read last years here>

I’ve also been mediating daily throughout the year to help me centre my creative ‘doings’ and it was during my mediations one word kept surfacing very strongly – ‘acceptance’, so I listened.

Acceptance illustration by Amanda. Copyright 2019

With the word ‘acceptance’ splashing around in the backroom of my mind for most of December, ironically it’s taken a few weeks to accept ‘acceptance’. Initially I attempted to reject the word. It felt like there was resignation in the meaning, a kind of giving up or letting go of important things, like the word had no agency for change, it felt like a loss of power. But of course it is only a word and I can give it whatever power or meaning I choose.

The oxford dictionary definition of acceptance is one I really like. Especially for those amongst us who are giver’s. It goes like this…

The action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered.

and;

The process or fact of being received as adequate, valid or suitable.

In accepting acceptance as my word for 2019, I started a list of all the things acceptance means to me:

Accepting love

Accepting generosity of myself and others

Accepting abundance

Accepting joy

Accepting peace

Accepting gratitude

Accepting the creative work

Accepting creative gifts

Accepting ideas from different places

Accepting chaos

Accepting lessons

Accepting the acceptance

Accepting choice

Accepting myself

Accepting who I am

It’s important for me to also consider that accepting the happy and good times is just the same accepting the challenging times as learning and growth, even if it’s often painful.

Finally, there is no planning in acceptance, only intention.  How it shows up throughout 2019 is anyone’s guess. Being present and accepting to how life unfolds is the key to unlocking the gifts it may bring. My intention is of acceptance, it is a place to stand with meaning and purpose and a wonderful reminder to gratefully accept myself as love.

We are now two days into 2019, it’s a new year with the old me, I’m Ok with that.

A happy, healthy, creative New Year to you!

Amanda ❤️

PS…Update: If you are a fan of the Mamamia Out Loud Podcast, I just noticed a new Podcast dropped on my iPhone today all about choosing a word for 2019. I’m going to give it a listen for sure. Check it out here> or on your Podcast App.