Leap! 2012

This morning I tweeted about Starbucks new coffee they started brewing today. A medium, rather than dark/bold roast, called "Blonde". It was delicious, I'm glad I tried it but somewhat surprised that I did considering I really like the bold, dark coffees.
I'm a creature of habit, and don't care for change that much. Or at least, I didn't use to like change that much. I've come to find out that actually, change isn't that bad. It can bring many new, exciting things to your life if you decide to embrace it, instead of running from it. Of course, a leap of faith is usually involved.

LEAP!



This is my One-Word for 2012. How appropriate given that February will have that extra day this year. But really, I'm not selecting it because the calendar has an extra box tacked on to the end of the second month of the year. I chose leap because it kept pestering me today. All day long.

Serenity talked about her word here http://www.serenitybohon.com/2012/01/my-one-word.html , and Felicity kicked off the New Year with her word here http://www.felicitywhite.com/2012/01/one-word-365-dare/ . Both blogs are always a favorite place to go if I want to visit a friend, be inspired, laugh, think, or maybe just sip coffee and reflect, so naturally this one-word idea has been percolating for a while.
I'm not sure where Leap first appeared, it definitely wasn't a neon sign flashing above my head, or a  BOLD printed word in a cartoon bubble that followed me around, capturing my daily dialogue.

It's just the idea of it. I want to LEAP right into 2012, with arms raised and total belief that where I land will be right, every time. I know it won't always be perfect. But that's where faith comes in. Right?

I have a tendency to find small niches that I fit comfortably in, and plant myself there for what seems like centuries to some. I've always heard that when one becomes comfortable, it's time for change! Or something like that. I can be brave when I have to, and do a leap or two, but it's not what I'm known for. Felicity wrote "this year I want to be daring". I can't read that statement and not want to leap out of a comfort zone of sorts and do something, anything, that requires gumption and dexterity.

That would probably tie in with a new exercise regimen. Let's face it, when I tried yoga for the first time two years ago, I wasn't sure I would be able to get OUT of a downward dog position, much less get there to begin with. Now, I can do it with ease because practice makes perfect. But, that's one position. There are so many. I'm determined to shake things up a bit with cardio and stretching and pilates and the like. It's time to reach past the comfort zone and.....leap. Maybe I could even start running! (You have no idea how far that statement is from my comfort zone). But why not? Why can't I run? My mom always says "can't never did anything". And she thought I wasn't listening, psshh.

I'm really hoping that in my work life, I don't have to leap out of necessity, rather, because I choose too. You know the "reduction in forces" time, I've discussed it before. It's upon us yet again. I won't dwell long here, but I would like to select something at work that scares the hell out of me that previously I've always said I can't do, and go to my manager and say, "give this to me, I can do it". Then......after he recovers from shock and checks my temperature, I.....leap. I can dig in and attempt to excel when I'm given no choice. But in 2012, I'd like to stand up and choose with the attitude of  "watch this".

Not that a new health regimen, and work aren't personal, but let's get more personal for a moment. In You've Got Mail, one of my favorite movies, Kathleen Kelly poses a question: "Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around?"

I've never felt that my life wasn't valuable. But I have felt that it was rather small, not in a bad way mind you, a more comfortable, this is me world! I don't want to be loud or in-your-face in any way.

I just want to Leap. More. Unfathomed. Trusting. Brave.

Good grief, what have any of us got to lose?

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS There are so many fantastic words that exist, I can't wait to see what word you select. Breakfast is a good word. When you add "at Tiffany's" it's even better, yes?