My 2021 Word of the Year Is …

Here’s my intention for our rapidly changing world. What’s yours?

For the past couple of years, I’ve been one of those people.

One of those people who think for ALL of December about what their word of the year will be.

I’ve prepared the blog post days before the clock struck the new year, determined to show my dedication to be a better person.

December 2020 came.

December 2020 left.

January appeared — and still no word.

Could it be that the #Firestarter who declared 2020 the year to #neversettle (not even a word, but a hashtag) did not have a word of the year on the first day of the year?

Well, yes. I am a person who needs consistency. If you tell me you’re going to call Monday at 5 p.m., I’ll be waiting. If you always order champagne, I’m going to remember. So it’s hard to believe that my own personal tradition was falling by the wayside.

Over winter break, I had several painful conversations. Not the kind that make you cry, but the kind that knock the wind out of you. All things #MovementMaker were locked and loaded on January 1, 2020. But 2020 wasn’t a year when the world showed up consistently for me. So when business partners or coaches asked me, “How are you showing up for 2021?,” I honestly didn’t know the right answer.

BOOM. That’s it. There’s no right answer.

And that’s when I realized sometimes you must be present to find the path and your own way.

Should I repeat that for you? Or maybe I shall repeat it for myself.

Sometimes you must be present to find the path and your own way.

There you have it. My word of great intention for 2021 is “present.” I plan to be present for myself to feel all the emotions I usually bury. I plan to be present for myself to see the richness of the world around me. I plan to be present for myself to embrace the blessings bestowed upon me instead of realizing them days, weeks or years later.

And I plan to be present for my family, friends and each of you. This first weekend of January, I doubled down by showing up for my family and friends.

We are a community of people who believe in changing the world. And we also believe there is something bigger than just each of us as an individual. With that in mind. I encourage you to share your word of the year (if you have one) with me or on one of the #MovementMaker platforms. And check in on me. I have been on the hamster wheel known as life for as long as I can remember, so being present requires me to show up in a different way each day. Talk about changing norms, people! I ask that you send me spirit fingers and keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I promise to do the same for you.

This year is already off to a great start, and I can’t wait to share some of its goodness with you. In the meantime, mark your calendars for an updated, shiny new version of “Find Your Fire” in March! There’s no time like the PRESENT for each of us to find our fire and unleash it for social good or personal change!

Wanna get social and follow my journey! Share your thoughts on Linked In, Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. You can count on a special #Firestarter dose of inspiration here each week! Let’s keep in touch!