My word for 2021 is shift. Like everyone I know, I’ve learned a lot, since this time last year. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that change and uncertainty just are. Since I’m not in control of much more than which yoga pants, Zoom-appropriate top, and slippers I’ll wear each day, I needed to figure out how I could deal with all the change and uncertainty. That’s where shifting comes in.

For me, shifts involve acceptance and adjustment. I know I don’t have much control, but I have unlimited choices. I can shift. 

Some of my recent shifts have been pretty significant. Some have been tiny. Some haven’t happened, yet. And I’m sure I’ll make a lot of shifts I can’t even imagine.

I began a shift this week that I expect will prompt many more shifts in my heart and life.

I started off one morning this week by spilling my entire first cup of coffee in my slippers. I won’t go into the details, but suffice it to say, it wasn’t how I’d hoped to begin the day.

In that moment and the ones that soon followed I made a shift. I decided that delicious smelling spilled coffee wasn’t going to define the rest of the day. So, I wrapped a towel around my coffee-filled slippers. Then I enjoyed a fresh cup before washing those slippers and that towel.

It was a conscious choice and shift. And despite some other inconveniences that day, it turned out to be a good one. I’ve had not-as-good days since. And I’ll have more. But on That Day my shift worked. I call that a win.

What kind of shifts have you made or witnessed lately?