Shine From Within

At the end of each year, we all tend to reflect on the year behind us and look toward what’s to come. Whether we do it with purpose or it moseys on through our mind, it happens. Many of us write down our goals or make resolutions. But the new trend that I have seen lately is for people to choose a “focus word” or phrase. (Example HERE.)

I particularly like this idea, partially because of my love for words. This exercise puts you in the position to  set individual, tangible goals, but also challenges you to “focus” on your character and lifestyle in a specific limelight. I struggled though, with what direction I wanted to go. I’m sure this is felt at a different age for everyone, but I feel that in just about every aspect of my life, I’m going through change. Some are subtle and expected, while others are bold and mindful. So how the heck am I supposed to choose ONE thing to focus on that is ideally all-encompassing? Or am I just missing the whole point of the exercise?

Well I thought about the word “value.”
Where should I be adding value in my life? How am I adding value to my job, and other roles I have? How are my values being shaped and remolded? How am I currently defining value?

Another word that has always been important to me is “risk.”
Where should I be taking risks currently? Am I being too risky?

I then thought about the word “yes,” and decision-making.
What is the best “yes” for me? Do I say it enough, not enough?

I was a little frustrated, and had almost determined that this was not for me.
Then on New Year’s Eve, my Grammy gave me this necklace pendant:

My Grammy is always so thoughtful with her gifts and they often reflect her own way of looking at life.

Shine from within

That’s a big thought.
But the only thing I kept thinking, is what the heck does that even mean?
It’s not a single word so there isn’t a direct definitive meaning, and even introspectively there’s a lot going on there.

That’s when it became my 2015 focus phrase.
If I didn’t know how to define it for myself and my life, then I needed to.
It might be a bit cheesy and certainly won’t be easy to measure at the end of the year.
But that’s okay. I find that most things that are hard to measure the value of are an important part of who we are that sometimes get overlooked.

So I don’t have a well thought out plan.
But I do plan to spend my 2015 figuring out what “Shine from within” means to each part of my life and how I can be better from it. Whether I wear it as a necklace or just keep it in my pocket, I’m excited to have this token with me moving forward.

Here’s some of my inspiration to get started.

This has been my favorite quote since early high school. I love that no matter where I am in life, it always applies. And it was the very first thing I thought of when I got the pendant.

What does it mean to “Shine from within” to you?