I'm Alicia. This is my "radical" journey.
What is One Little Word? It is the tradition of choosing one word for yourself each January and using this word to guide you through the year, to be a compass throughout life's many decisions, something that would encourage you to be the best version of yourself.
I finally decided on my One Little Word for 2020! The word "Magic" appeared quite often during the month of early November. I learned over the past few years that I really don't choose my word, my One Little Word chooses me. This is a great word for 2021 because of the many challenges faced during 2020. It makes it the perfect word for me to focus on during the upcoming year. One reason I love this word is because "magic is something you make." I want to create rituals to help me focus on the present moment and take in the amazing experience. We all need to recognize the magic, miracles, and blessings that surround us. Remember, there is magic in the details, the everyday stuff. I also want to focus on cultivating an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation upon which magic is born. Sometimes we forget that gifts can be found in even the most difficult situations. I want to connect with others. Finding a high vibe tribe is important. I will be searching for like-minded souls. Hopefully a community can be formed of people who can share, connect, and celebrate one another. I was doing a bit of reading and want to look more into creativity and being in a divine creative flow. I like the idea that creativity is the quality that you bring to an activity you are doing. "It is an attitude, an inner approach: how you look at things." It caught my attention when I read that the activity itself is neither creative nor uncreative. "You can paint...sing in an uncreative way. You can clean the floor...cook in a creative way." Well that is enough on why I want to focus on the word MAGIC during 2021. Are you following a word this upcoming year? If you do, what is your One Little Word to guide you throughout the year?
1 Comment
 This past January I chose the word Trailblazing as my One Little Word for 2020. I have been giving quite a bit of thought to words that are more appropriate for me based on everything going on this year. Two words that I feel are better for me at this point in the year are the words brave and discomfort.
I will start by letting you know why I chose the One Little Word Trailblazing for the year 2020. It is so easy to focus on myself and what I am struggling with that sometimes I forget about helping other educators. I want my actions, choices, and achievements to help others who come after me. I do not want younger educators spending their time and energy refighting the same battles I have fought. This was a great word to guide me through the year. At this point in my life, I feel I need to choose a better word to encourage me to be the best version of myself. As you know, this year is full of changes and challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic and issue of systematic racism caused me to not just want to help others, but to question the way things are or have been the same for quite a long time. At this point in my life, I am choosing to lean into the discomfort and allow it to change me for the better. I am not going to run from discomfort. This year I am going to run towards it head on. I want to take risks, and do things differently than what I have been doing. For this reason, I want my new One Little Word to be Discomfort. Below are some great quotes with the word discomfort which "speak" to me. “We need to cultivate the courage to be uncomfortable and to teach the people around us how to accept discomfort as a part of growth.” ― Brené Brown "Be not afraid of discomfort. If you can't put yourself in a situation where you are uncomfortable, then you will never grow. You will never change. You'll never learn." ― Jason Reynolds "Give vulnerability a shot. Give discomfort its due. Because I think he or she who is willing to be the most uncomfortable is not only the bravest, but rises the fastest." ― Tim Ferriss What one little word do you want to reflect upon as you go about your daily life? Days 19 and 20 I decided as part of my radical self-care routine that I was going to try drinking daily green smoothies. Yesterday and today I have been searching for different green smoothie recipes online. Today I made one with an individual pack of frozen fruits and veggies. I added green tea matcha, collagen peptide powder, water, chia seeds, and ice. I was going to add an avocado, but totally forgot all about it. I will try it with the avocado tomorrow. Do you drink green smoothies? If you do, let me know what you add to your smoothie. 
Day 18
Today at work I handed out tiny samples of my anti-aging facial oil. Hopefully people from work can give me feedback on the oil I created. I look forward to creating a variety of aromatherapy-based skin care products to nourish the skin. I have a 3 day weekend so it will be perfect timing to create my anti-aging face cream. Let me know if you have any well-being or beauty concerns so that I can practice addressing those concerns with non-toxic oil blends and skin care products. Days 16 and 17 I am so very tired and sleepy! This week I have been preparing for an observation at school. I finally got it over and done with. Yay! I am looking forward to the three day weekend. I heard we may get some snow, but not worried since I plan to stay home nice and cozy. This weekend I may create a face cream. I can't wait to see how it turn out. My daughter will be going back to college Saturday morning. I actually need to create an essential oil blend for her to use on the eczema on her hand. I signed up for the aromatherapy certification program, and I will need a few case studies. Definitely can use her as a case study for my course. Is there a problem you are dealing with that you may think an essential oil blend may help you address the problem? Definitely let me know.  Day 15 Today I turned 49. Before I turn 50, I want to make some radical changes in my life. The countdown begins! I didn't do much sadly today to focus on my radical changes. I have been quite busy preparing for my observation scheduled for this week. After Thursday, I can better focus on the changes I want to make. One thing I am excited about are the courses I will soon take to eventually become a certified aromatherapist. I can't wait to begin phase 1! Tomorrow I plan to sign up. Are there any courses you would enjoy taking at this point in your life?  Day 14 I got up at 3am since I couldn't fall back to sleep so I decided to finish making two 2 ounce bottles of facial oil. One is for me since I absolutely love facial oil, and the other is for my friend Mary. It was actually quite exciting creating my own natural facial oil instead of buying one in a store. I plan on giving little sample size bottles to people at work. Funny how creating and coming up with new facial oil blends, can fill my life with joy. Is it because it is something different? Will it be something that I do not find quite exciting in a few weeks or month? Is there something you are creating that gives you joy?  Day 13
Today my husband and daughters took me out to lunch for my birthday even though my birthday is on January 15 (2 days from today). I had a great time. As you can see I had a quite busy day, but will go back to more serious reflecting tomorrow. Day 12 Today I started my routine about writing what I am thankful for and about the actions I must take to make me feel joy. It is so very important to focus on things that make you feel joy. The more joy you experience, the more joy you attract. Focusing on positivity will help me live a better life. My emotions and thoughts must be on what I do want, not what is unwanted. I hope I will continue writing about what makes me happy and what I want in life. Another thing I did today to help me with my One Little Word of the Year is work with someone who makes jewelry. I want her to make me a bracelet and necklace with my One Little Word. I can't wait to get the jewelry and be reminded of my mission this year. Do you have a morning or nightly writing routine? If you do, what do you write about?  |
AuthorHi there! My name is Alicia Vilas, and I’m the NJ Hudson County Teacher of the Year 2020-21. My mission is to cultivate young changemakers and innovators. I love to connect on Instagram (@alicia.vilas) and twitter (@alicia_vilas). Archives
December 2020
Categories |
RSS Feed