i usually don't make new year's resolutions as i feel that every day
presents an opportunity to set goals, to strive to do better.
so a couple of years ago i began my own new year's tradition
that would help guide me and my decisions as i navigated through the days & months ahead:
inspired by terry tempest williams, i ask the earth to
"give me one wild word to follow..."
last year the word that popped into both heart and mind was content.
i knew it was time to be content with just a handful of goals, things, people, travels, etc.
i found gratitude for what i already had and for what i was already doing,
and, for the most part, learned to say "no" to very attractive opportunities that were, nevertheless, not quite the opportunities that would have taken me to where i want to be.
this year the one wild word that has kept a solid place in heart and mind is pages.
it truly was the first word to pop into my head as i asked the earth to
give me one wild word to follow.
i did try to reason that word out of my head as i felt a bit of pressure from that word:
i felt that there's no way this year can ask me to fill pages with my own personal writing
as i will be much busier than last year...
but then the wild word gave me some clarification:
pages can indeed be blank pages i fill with my own simple words,
but it can also be the pages i read that contain more words that will inspire and inform.
pages from my piano and violin books as i continue to master such elegant and wise
instruments. pages that i write for professors. pages that are notes to those i love.
this wild word i want to follow will help me to focus
on writing down my thoughts, experiences, feelings as we travel to places near and far,
i will continue writing poetry;
it will remind me to read as many pages from great authors as i can,
i will play music from composers that have inspired my own writing.
this wild word, pages, will motivate me to write, to read, to make music, and to share my humanity.
what's your take on new year's resolutions? do you make them? what are they this year?
would love to hear what has you inspired for the new year ahead.
25 comments:
What a wonderful word! I wish you well as your navigate your way through the pages of this year.
On a sidenote, I read your blog from a reader. Today, having popped in to comment, I must say your title design is beautiful.
I don't like resolutions. Every year I could make the exact same ones, and break them over and over again. Which just seems like a hopeless thing.
Last year I made a list of goals. I didn't accomplish all of them, but I did accomplish a few, and the satisfaction was amazing.
This year I made a wish. To be more present. And that's it. Plain and simple.
P.S. I love this serious of photos. Gorgeous and inspiring.
What a wonderful way to welcome in the new year and to live throughout that year. I loved reading this post!
I don't really make resolutions but I like to go into a new year with a sense of starting something new and accomplishing it. If I were to have one it would be to create. I started my blog less than a month ago and have been inspired by many including this one. I love your words and photos.
oh i just love the idea of filling pages upon pages of beautiful words. i made a few resolutions too. one is to write more as well. anne lammott is an amazing writer & so inspiring- loved your use of her quote!
xo
sami
i'm not a big resolutions person but maybe because i always associated them with the typical "lose weight" or "stop eating sweets". it wasnt until this holiday season that i realized that living contently (like you have been) is a good goal to keep. for me that means stop worrying so much and enjoy the little things. happy 2012!!!
I like your idea of a word....one word.....& I like your word for this year.... learn, create, enjoy the pages that come your way ..... & I hope we may, in some small way, share in the process. Happy, happy 2012!
What a beautiful and simple idea...that can span a few minutes or a life time, pages could even be slices of time an unending exploration... how very exciting, I am so inspired by your lovely idea.
Hugs Lynn xxx
I have been following this idea for some time as I too don' t make new years resolutions . My word for this year is artistry -mastering my skills , especially ones that allow me to live in the present moment ( I explain my thoughts on my blog ) . Your word is a very challenging one , and I like it . I think it suits you !
Have an inspiring year !
Thanks so much for this. I am a WORD gal!
thoughtful post!
Aloha from Waikiki
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That's a wonderful tradition! If I had to choose one word for 2012, it would be "content" like yours last year. I want to live daily life intensely and enjoy everyday as if it was a holiday or a free day from university/work. I want to concentrate on little things rather then on big events and try to be less insecure and more content.
But as a "language and literature" student, I also love your word "pages"! This morning, I finisehd Jeffrey Eugenides "the marriage plot" - a great book to start the new year!
I love your idea of a wild word to follow through the year; mine would be 'ship'. I'm on a huge journey over the next twelve months: a little scary, a little exciting, and a little hearbreaking - just as all long journeys by ship are.
Thanks for the thought-provoking post and happy new year!
Absolutely love the word you chose (and love the images, especially those handwritten pages).
I do not make new year resolutions and have a very hard time narrowing all my "goals" down to one word. But I am trying to be more creative, to create more, and to welcome creativity into my life this year. So I guess my word could be "create"
pretty-pretty pictures! happy new year!
I love absolutely everything about this post!
I broke most of my resolutions last year but I came close with my "go to one museum a month." I think I hit 10.
This year I wrote about things I want to manifest ... not "I'm going to do X three times a week." That didn't work out so well.
LOVE your idea of the word! Last year mine was study.
This year ... adventure. I want to put back the adventure attitude even in the little things. Thanks. :)
Oh! I am loving all of your words and resolutions for this year!
So beautiful Ann! I love this;)
This year will be a great one.
Totally inspired by this post Ann. Going to think, think, think about what my word will be. Wouldn't it be cool to create a list of these words somewhere meaningful or permanent.....say your forearm or if you aren't that committed to the idea, maybe sewn into a piece of fabric you keep safe. These words represent our years & growth and where we were are are in this world. I love the idea of them as characters in my life.
How I adore the fact that you don't just read....you dive in head first with your own notes and of course you aren't just working your way through one text at a time. It's like you are ingesting those books surrounding you all at once in these photos. Love it.
My word is love. Pure and simple...for the everyday, for myself, for those closest to me and for those that inspire me and warm my heart...to give generously and to receive graciously.
What a beautiful post! Your lust for life is so infectious - sending you much love and thanks x
p.s. I've never thought to sleep under the twinkling lights of the tree on Christmas Eve. I think it's a must do this year.
Certainement une belle journée.
Bonne année 2012
manon
I don't know if this resonates for you, but there are two other definitions of "Page" that may be inspiring to you. Page can also mean "to call out", and another usage I love is pulling something aside like for instance, paging a curtain. Drawing back, making a way clear.
Page is a great word to hang a year off of. Thanks for letting me comment.
Ooh! I LOVE all those other definitions of "page." Thank you so much for taking the time to look them up...it has sent my on my own journey through the OED.
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