Let's explore what this means

Time to get out the map. 

Explore is my word for the year. Lewis and Clark, let's go!

Merriam-Webster definition of explore [ik'-splor]    1. to study, investigate, or analyze. 2. to become familiar with by testing or experimenting. 3. to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery.

Adventure and discovery sounds good; analyze and study, not so much. I go to those places too often.

My tendency is to analyze, read, think and inquire.
To buy me time and hedge my bets. 
To keep me in my place instead of inspiring me to action. 
To firmly plant me in my comfort zone.

(@mindbodygreen Instagram)

Hallelujah, praise God, I can finally say everything is OK. At this moment. In this very breath. Everything is quite good. The past four years saw the painful crumbling of my 20+ year marriage, oldest son moving to college, pandemic, divorce, downsizing, and moving. And then my mom got sick, and I moved her 1000 miles to be near me, where I am her primary support.  The last four years dished up a large serving of half-baked change, with a side dish of toasted stress, and an extra sprinkling of frequent tears.

And I am good now. Happy. In love.  

By accepting the word Explore as my intention for 2023 I am reminding myself that I got to this place because I worked at it.  Did hard things because I didn't have a choice, or even much time.  With grit and pride.  And I should keep going. Good things happen when you keep opening yourself up and exploring the possibilities beyond your own imagination.     

Margo's definition, written in my journal on January 2, 2023
Explore: 
~be bold in discovery
~go, try, see, do new things
~step out
~look into, lean into the exploration of new directions
~seek new paths
~seek new ways
~recognize fear's limitations

Journal prompt:  If you gave yourself permission, and could dissolve all limitations and fear, what would you finally do this year?

Picture at the top of the page, at the top of Hoosier Pass, December 4, 2022.