“Balance. It was all about balance. That had been one of the first things that she had learned: the centre of the seesaw has neither up nor down, but upness and downness flow through it while it remains unmoved. You had to be the centre of the seesaw so the pain flowed through you, not into you. It was very hard. But she could do it!”
—  SirTerry Pratchett

Squaring back to the quote by British satirist, humorist and novelist; Sir Terry Pratchett, I’m yet again reminded with a sense of overflowing gratitude how true this holds in terms of my WOTY (Word of the year) 2022. 

I am joining hands with the very kind, and wonderful Lisa Burgess to do a short recap for the WOTY.  Thanks to my dear friend Corinne for introducing me to Lisa, and also for imparting the deep value of working with a Word of the Year

Looking Back at 12 Months of Balanced Flow

1. RATE YOUR WORD

What star rating would you give your One Word 2022 from 1-Lowest to 5-Highest (by whatever measure you want to use)? Did it live up to your expectations? Why or why not?

 

I would rate my WOTY Balanced Flow as 3.5. Time and again, I realised it’s easier to flow then to be in a state of balanced flow. And more often than not as human beings we also tend to resist the flow and have this deep desire to control a lot of things. Or maybe, I had been that person for way too long. Therefore, as the year ends I am relinquishing the need to control and I choose to be more at ease, peace and flow; with grace in my heart. 

I would say my WOTY did not live up to my expectations – of how I had expected it to pan out. But nobody said healing would be easy.

Healing is a messy business. It isn’t a bed of roses, but a whole lot of thorns and road blocks on the way. Working through past baggages, old records in the head and truamas that tend to rear their ugly head; is a slow and steady journey.

Therefore, Balanced flow ensured I look at the pain squarely in the eye and allow it to flow through me and not into me, accepting it, as I would the joys and blessings of life. 

2. FREQUENCY

How often did you notice your One Word in other places this year?
1-Rarely, 2-Now and again, 3-Often, 4-All the time

I noticed my WOTY Often. And I’m not one bit surprised. The universe knows how to throw these nuggets of reminders along our path, so we stay true to the essence of our commitment. It’s no synchronicity that just as I would start losing the plot of Balanced Flow, the universe would ensure it came walloping my way. Whether it was through books, quotes, signages, conversations, movies, music and so much more.

Eternally grateful for these wonderful signs, strewn across my path. 

3. APPLICABILITY

Was your One Word relevant to your life this year? Why or why not? 

Oh! It so totally was. Just when I was learning to align with my soul’s purpose (through my WOTY 2021 – Align) balanced flow landed into my being.

Yes, I did skid sideways, slipped the side walk multiple times, felt challenged by the tides of time and life; yet the word proved to be a constant reminder to keep the equanimity intact. I am not done being in a state of complete flow or balance, but I know like most people I’m WIP (work in progress) and will continue to re-circle back to this word time and again.

I also leaned much later in 2022 that it ain’t feasible to be in a state of balanced flow. The tides will turn, the ocean will come crashing at us and we will be churned and thrown into the abyss, multiple times. What will eventually count; is that we kept our heads screwed to our shoulders and embraced the flow; whether it was seamless or stormy.

 

4. GROWTH

Did you learn more about yourself or your relationships this year through your One Word? Would you want to repeat this word in another year?

Yes, my WOTY was a constant reminder to look within and not without. 

It helped navigate through the ups and downs of life, or relationships that needed to be watered and worked upon, and most importantly my relationship with myself. I was nudged into remembering that it all flows through me, not outside of me. 

Balanced Flow has entrusted me with a new found best friend, which no surprises for guessing; is Yours truly!

It kept reminding me to align with myself, my soul purpose, my silence and my inner being; which was a special revelation as the year draws its curtains on us.

Who knows, I would in all probability repeat this word, sometime again. But it seems the next time on, it will just be FLOW. 

“I am rooted, but I flow.”
– Virginia Wolf

It’s a wrap-up, amigos and amigas, to 2022 this evening, 31st December with these personal favourites, by my icon Andrea Bocelli.

Thank you for always rooting for this space and the love that you shower upon me.

A very humbling experience to be surrounded by all of you. 

Sending each one of you and yours; loving kindness, much ease, peace, rest with movement and more flow, in 2023.

Hugs, love, light, laughter and abundant magic. ♥♥

 

Natasha 

 

 

Feature image: Sunset at our home

 

Linking up with Lisa for a recap into WOTY 2022.

Look out for this space for my WOTY 2023.