Dear Reader,

Last week a podcast host asked me what was my word for the year. At first, I thought it would be Trust. I want to trust life more. It sounded good—warm, comforting. I want more of that.

Then I pulled my annual Osho Zen Tarot card. The card? Intensity.

It took me aback. Wait… that’s different than trust. “Intensity is my problem,” were the first words out of my mouth. I feel intensely, I work intensely, I love intensely, I even make cakes intensely.​

And I’ve spent a lifetime trying to manage this intensity. Don’t be so emotional, or competitive… intense, Diana!

I’m scared of my intensity because it has harmed me—and to be brutally honest, I’m a little ashamed of it. It’s not on brand for a therapist.

But when I look at myself from a compassionate perspective, I can see more clearly where it came from: it helped me survive some rocky, unpredictable times in my childhood. And wow, my genetic load is intense (ahem, Dad—I love you).

You have that thing about you, too—that thing you kind of hate about yourself, but that also works magic for you (sometimes). I call it your genius energy.​

Osho Zen Tarot got my word right.

But the card commentary was different than I expected. It talked about single-pointed, present-moment focus—so focused you become “like an arrow,” moving as (almost) pure energy.

So the question becomes not what’s wrong with you, but: How can you be more of you, in a wise way?​
Are you using the fire of intensity to face the fears you need to face?
Are you applying the power of your patience toward yourself, too?

As we move into the new year, I hope you’re discovering your genius—and growing to love it as much as other people (sometimes) love it, too. And when you don’t love it, don’t abandon yourself. Stay on your own side. Get curious, open up, and refocus your energy toward your values.

So this year my words are TRUST, INTENSELY.

That’s the best way to use my genius.

Diana

Dr. Diana Hill Your Wise Effort Guide

Stop abandoning yourself Try these 5 practices to help you live a life of integrity, health, values, friendship, creativity, while sharing your genius energy with others. Read more

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Stop wasting your energy—Here’s what to do instead I was interviewed by Dr. Laurie Santos to talk about how to use our energy more effectively in the new year. Listen to me on The Happiness Lab podcast

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