Alchemy

There's an idea being shared on Facebook

to jot down accomplishments on small slips of paper

and place them in an empty jar throughout the year

and at the end of the year you pull them out and celebrate your successes

I like this 

This focus on gratitude, celebration, joy

so fitting with the holiday season

Someone asked recently if I was picking a word for the new year

Knowing that the past years of Love, Trust, & Passion 

have progressively left me feeling like I jumped out of a plane (without a 'chute)...

I hesitated

But as you know from my December 5th post, I couldn't hide

I tried covering my ears, shutting my eyes, singing LALALALA loudly

but the Universe always has other plans

 and Alchemy sat there smugly

with an evil glint in its eyes

as if to say "oh the things I've got planned for you"

(gulp)

I'll admit I was afraid

Wondering just how long I could hide in my house

Avoiding any human contact and internet relationships

But then I admitted that if it weren't for those past words

I wouldn't know what I was made of

Each word acting like instruments of excavation

 that slowly unearth the real me that's been buried

 beneath preconceptions, doubts, fears, others' opinions and expectations

Each word has built upon the last

Each year's lessons a continuation of the year prior

Each one uncovering the fragments of who I am 

As I step fully into the person I am meant to be

As I lay in bed yesterday morning I wondered if this living with intent is even worth it

And slowly realized how much I've grown in the past few years

And knew it was definitely worth the choice to live with my eyes open rather than closed

So I enter the new year ready

I've released people, things, ideas that are no longer useful

I have a deeper affection for those that remain

Like the jar, I am ready to be filled with new adventures, new learning opportunities

I have no doubts that Alchemy will bring internal and external transformations

as I continue my quest towards 

spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental balance

And in the process
I'll discover more of who I really am

~ ~ ~~

Alchemy 'any seemingly magical process of transmuting ordinary materials
 into something of true merit.'

 ~~~

“The secrets of alchemy exist to transform mortals from a state of suffering and ignorance to a state of enlightenment and bliss.” ~Deepak Chopra

~~

 “This is why alchemy exists," the boy said. 
"So that everyone will search for his treasure, find it, and then want to be better than he was in his former life. Lead will play its role until the world has no further need for lead; and then lead will have to turn itself into gold. That's what alchemists do. They show that, when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”~ Paulo Coelho

~

 “Oh the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.”

~Dr.Seuss "Oh the Places You'll Go"