Reverb10: December 1-7

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December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)

I'm late signing up for reverb10, it's late in the day & I'm now tempted to change my One Word to "late" but I'll stick with the word that, once it entered my mind, seemed right & natural & encompassing:

s - t - r - e - t - c - h

because that is what I've done throughout 2010. Stretched myself beyond what I'd believed were my capabilities & tolerances. Both in my work life & personal life. Nearly every day. Including today when despite having an overfull plate, I added a heaping helping of reverb10. Because I know stretching is good for me.

For 2011, I would like the word to be "resilience" -- no matter what the year holds, good or bad, I want to continue developing inner resources so I can meet all opportunities & challenges with more courage, grace, & wisdom.

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December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)

I need to stop avoiding the dark winter mornings & get out of bed as soon as I wake up (usually about 6 am). This would give me about 30 minutes for writing before I have to leave for work.

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December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

Saturday morning, mid-November, running along the seawall, lungs breathing in crisp, clean air. Deep blue sky & a few wispy clouds above. False Creek, sleepy boats & hungry seagulls to my right. Creamy white snowberries, scarlet rose hips, and a few persistent yellow leaves on almost bare branches to my left. To match my pace and mood, Innocence Mission on the iPod.

A moment as vivid, gentle and pure as the autumn sunlight; sight and sound, motion and emotion converged in my heart and propelled me forward.

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December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

I cultivated a sense of wonder this past year by taking long walks with my camera -- and Piper, my Westie -- and venturing down new paths.

Inuksuit along the False Creek seawall, northeast side
Photos taken January 3, 2010

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December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

Since early yesterday morning, I've struggling with my response to this prompt. Perhaps because I haven't completely let go of habits (mostly ways of thinking) that hold me back or pull me down. I wish it were as easy as saying "be gone, Fears & Doubts" and they'd disappear into the ether.

Also, I've added some new commitments to my days without removing any tasks. Am I fooling myself that I just have to be super organized to get everything done? Or have I reached -- or exceeded maximum load?

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December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

If I excude writing blog posts, cooking meals & growing a garden, the last thing I made...was so long ago, I don't remember. But this prompt reminded me how much I long to pull out the sewing machine, and get back into the rhythm of cut, pin, baste, stitch and press. Can I clear some time for this? I don't know. I'd have to give up some reverb10 time ;-), which I'm not willing to do. Maybe on my next staycation (Spring 2011) I'll spend a glorious week in fabricland. It's an appealing thought.

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December 7 – Community Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

Late last night (Tuesday) I started my response with this favourite tweet:

So true. While thinking about my online community tonight -- both new connections made in 2010 & older friendships deepened & strengthened -- I'm doing all these things -- well, perhaps not laughing out loud but I'm definitely smiling on the inside.

One of my new communities (I'm a contributor) is the Hedge Society. I share @ffantastica's enthusiasm about this:

It's late again as I work on this response and I'm deleting more than saving. So I think tomorrow I'll finish my response and answer the second part of this prompt.

Added on Thursday, 9 December 2010 at 9:31 PM:

Same story/different evening. Now it's Thursday and I'm falling behind in my reverb10 responses. I'll blame the very busy work week and being too empty and tired at the end of the day to write anything worth reading. But in truth, I think introspective writing like this is difficult for me. Ah well, this is my year of stretching, right ;-) ?

So rather than write-delete repeatedly, I'm going to spend time with some of my community now by catching up on Vincci's thoughtful reverb10 responses, Kathryn's & Sophie's tasty, informative tweets, Lucy's and Diana's nourishing words, Meighan's yummy photos and Hedge Society's latest little posts about a lot of things. Tomorrow evening I'll visit with my online gardening friends.

In 2011...? More of the same -- as in good people & good conversation -- is fine with me.

Good night, friends. Talk to you later.