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My word for 2013 is anticipation.

As is typical of sacred things, I didn’t find my word. It found me. Well, actually, Carly Simon found me first.

I had decided early on that I wasn’t going to have a word for this year…too many other things to focus on, too much of an impending deadline behind the quest. (It was already January 5th, for chrissake.)

Then completely unbidden, in a moment of musing about who-knows-what (but I guarantee you it wasn’t about the word), the Heinz ketchup commercial from the late ‘70’s sprang into my head, Carly started singing, and all was revealed.

All five syllables, that is.

Anticipation can be a very loaded word, potentially excusing one from responsibility and participation in the present moment. I say this with some expertise, having skipped over a good portion of my life thanks to a well-honed ability to future-pace. Call it an occupational hazard. 

Anticipation can also be a set up for all kinds of emotional chaos—unmet expectations, inflexibility, impatience, limiting attachments, worst-case scenarios, etc. In order for it to be of spiritual assistance, rather than impediment, anticipation has to be carried in a way that makes it compatible with miracles.

In other words, it has to set the stage within us for God to do what God does best.

The following video arrived in my inbox, also unbidden, several days after the word arrived in my psyche. Without a doubt it is the perfect depiction of the way I am striving to experience my chosen word this year—as an all-out, unquestioned, faithful assumption that God is going to stroll on in and dazzle me. Repeatedly. 

And, it could happen at any moment, so that way I have to stay present in order not to miss it. How cool is that?

I really can't wait to see what God has up His sleeve for me this year...but I will.  And I'll absolutely keep you posted. :-D