anchoring

what's your word to use as an anchor?

The past two years have been unlike any other. We are still adapting to the changes that the pandemic has caused us. On this note (and in the spirit of the incoming holiday season), I invite you to shift for a moment and place your focus on something that could help us navigate toward tomorrow.

since 2020, my word has been attraversiamo.

Attraversiamo, an Italian word that translates to "let's crossover," originating from attraversare, literally to traverse. It's a word that captures the courage in my heart before making a leap of faith. I like the picture it paints, a great big adventure waiting to unfold. The invitation to crossover almost feels like an assuring whisper, 

"i can't predict everything that will happen, but it will be a place where I can flourish." 

Attraversiamo reminds me of my pursuit to be a better person, to live life to the fullest, to spark happiness and laughter, and to cultivate meaning. My crossing over to new heights was propelled by a decision to grow. A decision to honor and love myself. It's not selfishness; it's not vanity; definitely, it's not conceit.

We are giving the world a disservice whenever we put ourselves last. When one commits to loving oneself, one can serve others with your best self. Putting ourselves first gives us endurance, tenacity, and strength when trials and challenges happen.

We can all decide to close a chapter in our life that is no longer for us and begin writing a new one. That decision to love ourselves first will open doors to the best of what the world can offer. Attraversiamo. Let's crossover to a new chapter, with a decision borne out of love, to pursue love.

so --- what's yours? what's your word that you use as an anchor? 

Do you resonate with attraversiamo? 

How can we journey together to the new chapter? :) Message me at ayu274@g.harvard.edu!