and always, always, another step to take.

my seventh time, choosing a word to guide the year.

UNTETHERED in 2011. followed by BOLD and WAVE, AUDACIOUS and ESPRIT.

2016's THE ARRIVAL just ended. i developed and delivered my signature course, which bears that same name. and i prepared for my own arrival in italy, an endeavor which took every last ounce of my courage and strength to accomplish.

i was determined to reach new destinations. and i think i've been successful. but the path to my arrival wasn't easy.

going up. going down. sometimes spiraling.

and always, always, another step to take.

how to describe being shaken to one's core, scraping the foundation of who i thought i was and who i hoped to be.

crawling, grasping, clawing. struggling to hang on.

true, this opportunity has been extraordinary, and obviously of my own design. but the depth and range of my feelings still caught me by surprise.

loneliness. confusion. even panic.

mixed in with freedom, a sense of fulfillment, and joy.

this year i'm approaching my word a little differently. with a six-month goal already in place, i'm splitting 2017 into two separate chapters.

the first chapter is wrought with unknowns. though it's sure to be filled with new adventures and proud-of-myself milestones, it will also include demanding trials and exasperating moments of defeat.

i'm determined to push through the bad, to concentrate on the upward journey.

"i can almost see it that dream i'm dreaming but there's a voice inside my head saying you'll never reach it every step i'm taking every move i make feels lost with no direction my faith is shaking but i i gotta keep trying gotta keep my head held high"

and on my way up, i'm going to take the time to notice the sweet and good, to delight in the beauty and charm, to revel in the effort and progress.

"there's always gonna be another mountain i'm always gonna wanna make it move always gonna be an uphill battle sometimes i'm gonna have to lose ain't about how fast i get there ain't about what's waiting on the other side it's the climb"

yes, from january through june, it's THE CLIMB.

the climb to adjust to life without my two sons close by. the climb to integrate into my new community. the climb to bring villa magnolia back to life, a home once again. the climb to finally welcome brave women, chasing their dreams.

the climb to reestablish who i am in a totally unfamiliar environment. the climb to be at the top of my stairway, a brightly dazzling light.

"the struggles i'm facing the chances i'm taking sometimes might knock me down but no i'm not breaking i may not know it but these are the moments that i'm gonna remember most yeah just gotta keep going and i i gotta be strong just keep pushing on

it's all about it's all about the climb"

well, you said it, miley. it's all about THE CLIMB.

#2017chapter1theclimb     *******     artist: miley cyrus (hannah montana: the movie, 2009) [stay tuned for the unveiling of chapter 2 in late june.]     *******     beginning in late january, i will be sharing my brand-new mini courses (7 in 17). travel size versions of each essential element of my signature online course, THE ARRIVAL.

and the first mini course in this series, AWARENESS #1, is my gift to you.

all you have to do is click on the link and sign up (for FREE): THE ARRIVAL: travel size join me (and over 50 other women) january 23-27, on your first step of this amazing journey. ignite your own revolutionary path, defining and developing your long-held dreams.     *******     click to receive my studio notes in your inbox each week. (and get my complimentary guide to weightless as my gift to you!)   [maxbutton id="1"]    

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