Always bad at keeping resolutions, the idea of choosing one word to serve as a touchstone for the new year appeals to my sensibilities. I don't even remember where I first heard of the concept, but it's been popularized by the My One Word blog and by scrapbooking guru Ali Edwards.
Back in 2010, I informally adopted the word "acceptance," and used it to gude me as I adjusted to the changes brought to my life by fibromyalgia. Last year, I got serious and signed up for Ali's "One Little Word" class at Big Picture classes. My word was "rejuvenate," and I completed a year's worth of activities and numerous related art projects. I even painted a canvas with rejuvenate spelled out in brightly-patterned letters so that I would have a daily reminder of my intentions.
It was such a positive experience that I knew I wanted to do it again in 2012, but I struggled for months to find a word. I knew I wanted it to have something to do with my struggle to find a new identity after my illness took my career and community activities away from me. I did what I always do when I have a problem. I read. One by one, I worked my way through all the classic books on dealing with life changes--Transitions, WishCraft, The Artist's Way, What Color is My Parachute, and so on. They were all wonderful books, but I did not find the answer.
And, then one day, it dawned on me. What if the life I have now, making a home for my family, creating art, spending time with my real-life and online friends, is the life I'm supposed to be leading? What would happen, if instead of trying to recapture something that is lost, I spent my time enjoying what I have? What if I learned to embrace what is?
And so I have it. My word for 2012 is Embrace.
(Credits: heading made using the Franklin Gothic font and Krista Mettler's Little Bits brushes; Rosey Posey's magnifying glass (Conundrum) and star charm (Discovery Heart); Tangie's crown (Happenstance), Christine Honsinger's scalloped border (So Edgy); TumbleFish boy and fish (My Picks, both colored); Catherine Designs background and wing (Create23 Revisited); too many brushes to list; and Misproject font.)
