hello 2018
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Hello, 2018!

Live in the light. Shine the light.

This time last year, this post would’ve been in the style of a New Year’s Resolution. I’ve been known to choose words of the year, colors, themes.  Last Christmas and New Years I did, in fact, do a lot of reflecting on all the things that are “wrong” in my life that I need to “fix” and I made a detailed, categorized list of what needed to change. It all came from a place that wanted growth and change, but for the wrong reasons. It came from a place of unworthiness, control and fear. I hope to leave that place behind me.

2017 was such a big year for me. I plan to unpack that and continue to reflect on it for myself and share it with you through blog posts in 2018.

In lieu of a formal New Year’s Resolution, which is triggering for me in my old bad habits and skewed perspectives, I am doing the work of self-evaluation in a simplified way this year. No checklists, no progress stats and photos, no shame. I can sum it up concisely and carry it easily with me every day:

In 2017 I saw the light. In 2018 I will live in the light and shine the light.

Last year I would have overcommitted myself to not only starting this new blog venture, but writing for at least 30 minutes every day. I probably would’ve tried to take a class or read a book on writing, since it’s new to me.

I’ve fallen into this trap before. As soon as I miss one day, the frustration creeps in. The further I get behind, the more the excuses fly. I spend more time hating on myself and planning ways to get it done than it takes to actually do it. And when I actually do it, I end up re-doing it and being a perfectionist about it, sucking the joy and creativity right out. It is my intention to avoid this trap.

I have the blessing of awareness now, thanks to my amazing 2017. I know myself well enough to see this struggle while I’m in it. That’s why I’ve decided to make this blog more of a personal journal than a formal blog with planned content or articles.

I am writing when I am inspired. I am writing when something is on my mind. I am writing to share nuggets that maybe you can relate to or learn from. I am writing informally and finding my voice. I am writing to record my journey. I am writing to document the messages and blessings God sends me. I am writing to write.

I will no longer sacrifice the good for the great.

Intentions for 2018:

  • love like God
  • practice what I’ve learned
  • share my story
  • cultivate gratitude
  • nurture relationships
  • deepen my faith
  • be Erin Leigh

{EDIT} Right after I shared this post through my phone on Instagram, I turned on Pandora on my phone and the first song that played is Marvelous Light, one of my new personal anthems, by Ellie Holcomb who I had the pleasure of meeting at The Word Alive event in Orlando this fall (more on that later).