December 2, 2010

i'm going to try....

started yesterday and leave it to me to be a day late. oh well. my mother always said, better late than never. so here i am. searching for a word that can sum up 2010. it sounds easy enough. but it's not. i can come up with 10 or 20 words that feel right. but to package all those words together into one. not so easy.
~
i guess i'll pick the word
bumpy
~
i assume any year is like a road with a journey ahead, planned for those prepared and carrying the best pack back, but this year there were bumps along the way that made me question where i stand as a mother. as a photographer. even as a wife and a friend.
~
did i learn. oh did i. am i still learning and looking back. like you can't imagine. but that's what we do. don't we. always trying to fix what went wrong. change what can be changed. and maybe closing our eyes on what we don't want to see again.
~
so
for next year
it would only seem appropriate to pick the word smooth. but that feels to perfect. too ice cream like. so instead i'm picking the word open. to remind myself to keep my heart open. my ideas. my mind. my eyes.
~
because
it's obvious to me
that if i'm not open
the world around me that i try desperately to absorb everyday
will never have a chance
~
and
that would just be a waste of living
*
reverb10 will give you a daily prompt. something that will get your mind off the presents you haven't bought and the tree you haven't decorated. and if you're like me. one who questions the busyness of december. this just might be the most perfect gift to give yourself.
~it's never too late to join~

26 comments:

  1. Wow, you speak and it sounds like my life. I'm speechless.

    ReplyDelete
  2. beth - this is so well written, spoken from the heart, but i have to say that i always think of you as open, so as you open more, i am glad to be here to gobble up your words & images. and bumpy. well, crap. those stupid bumps. i hate them, and i don't care how much someone tells me they're the way to growth. still hate 'em.

    xoxo
    Debi

    ReplyDelete
  3. I couldn't agree more.

    Bumpy sounds good, even if the road is bumpy it still moves you forward...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, I like Camilla's comment above. What a great way to sum it up.

    I really loved this post and the photo that accompanied it. I don't like the bumps that rattle us to the bone as we move thru life, but I guess we wouldn't appreciate the smooth pavement so much if we didn't have them...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I chose the word release for 2010...who knew what that would bring forth! I am pretty sure my word for 2011 is Grace. As always I am inspired by my visit here. Light and Love to you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great post...and I already thought you were living openly. It's what I think of after having met you. I'd never met anyone so open to life.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautifully written. I can relate to bumpy.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful. This warmed my heart. Bumpy is a good word to describe my year...like that you want to be open to all that is around you...each year I pick a word for the year...for this year I had picked confidence...life sure has delivered opportunities for me to gain more of this but still have a ways to go...not sure what word I would pick to sum up the year...not sure what word to pick for 2011 either...thank you for sharing your words. Bless you. XX

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the word 'open' for 2011. I might have to adopt that one too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love this idea, Beth. Yes, let 2011 be "Open". Open to possibilities... with open arms and open heart and open mind, all things are possible.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ofcourse... I was not referring to OPEN HEART SURGERY.. or anything like that. See, I'm neurotic even when words come out that come imply something else.. gasp.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yay! So glad you joined the party... and oh my, bumpy, yes, crazy, yes, but i am so glad that i bumped into you along the way...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for the great link. Loving your insightful reflections.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beth...if my life so far did not have a few bumps to navigate, then it would not be quite as smooth as silk for now.....so I am grateful for the bumps, cuz that seems like the reason I am smooth sailing these days! OPEN...yourself to the upcoming year...full of adventure and awakenings!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bumpy is definitely a word I can identify with for 2010! And I'm with you - still learning on the way!

    ReplyDelete
  16. P.S. I simply love the title of your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Bumpy helps us appreciate the smooth. Loved and related to this post and the photo!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. very well said, Beth. and your image is so precious. hope you are doing well. one love.

    ReplyDelete
  19. life can be such a struggle at times. challenge our core beliefs and making us really stand true to them even in the darkest and most ferocious of storms. But know in your heart my love that you are one stunning soul. shinning your light and lighting the path for others. your sprit shines even so brightly through your words and images on this blog. Your photography blows me away. the bumpy will hopefully be coming to a close and you will be able to soak in 2011. I cannot belive it is going to be 2011.

    sending you a giant hug

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beth, you are wonderful and so very special. You made it over these BUMPS and will do it again. In Holland they are called DREMPLES and the streets are full of them. Hence, slow down. There are few speeding problems here. And, WRINKLES are called REMPLES. I always want to make a poem of them but can't figure that out.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful.
    I love this....sums up my thoughts which I couldn't seem to put in to words!

    ReplyDelete
  22. perfect. the bumpy road well traveled will lead to the smooth avenue.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hmm, this sounds interesting.
    I wanted to find a word at the beginning of last year....and didn't do it.
    I am going to find one for this coming year....or maybe it will find me?

    ReplyDelete
  24. beautiful post Beth, I have no idea for my word. you really write so beautifully. hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Beautiful image. I like that you focused on the weeds.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I like the word you chose to describe your year. It fits with my year end, too.

    Don't you just love how grasses age?

    ReplyDelete

**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth