Tuesday, January 6, 2015

What's the word?


Last year what I wanted, was to be more intentional in my photography, and in my writing more and in letting my passions drive more of my actions. More intentional about my time, and in trying new things, and just with life in general. I wanted to be more intentional  about the things that are important to me, and yet I wanted to keep it as simple as possible.

And how did that work out?

Well, if I were a glass half empty kinda gal, and broke all those things down, I would have to say  . . . maybe not so great.

But I'm not, so I won't go there.

What I can tell you is that in life in general, intention worked out pretty good. I can say that I learned some new things, like journal making, and I shared my passion of taking football pictures from the sidelines on a Facebook page for the players and parents. And with roughly 60 hours logged in of shooting said football this past fall I might have even improved just a bit. I kept true to the things that were most important to me, which included my part in the conservation of the monarch butterfly by becoming an official Monarch Waystation and the release of another 600 butterflies raised in my dining room . But the biggest intention of all was the time I took away from here to rest my soul. And it was hard because it's not what I had intended to do with my time, and it sure didn't help with my intention of writing more.

But sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to rest even when the trade offs are high. Because, sometimes when you chose not to, the trade offs can be even higher. And when you have a child with a chronic illness you can't afford to not be intentional with yourself . . . it's the only way you can ride the changing tide.



{KK waterfront magic}

"Speak louder than the words before you
And give them meaning no one else has found
The role we play is so important
We are the voices of the underground"

by A Great Big World, (This Is The New Year)


During much of this quiet time, though, it's been harder to quiet the noise speaking in my head and heart. The one that says... I feel like there is something else I should be doing, something deeper below the surface of safe. I've felt this way for awhile and I don't mean instead of being here.

The thing is I'm not really sure what it is and if I've learned one thing about myself it's that I'm not afraid of not doing something right, just of not being prepared enough to start. Does that make any sense?

This years word, unlike past words, didn't come as freely. I knew what I wanted it to feel like, but couldn't quite grasp it. And then, while standing in the kitchen one day last week, it came to me like a lightning bolt. Poof, there it was, my word and one that for me feels interactive, one that holds possibilities.

[Reach] - to stretch or hold out, extend. To get to, or arrive at, or amount to. To establish                                     communication with.

to reach and be reached
to find solutions
to reach for answers and ask more questions
to find the courage to reach for my turn, to reach for yes
to simply reach for what's hidden . . .  then reveal it, and give it meaning


There is no guarantee that by the act of reaching that anyone will reach back, or that there is even something on the other side. No guarantee that there is an answer to a question or a solution to a problem, and I'm going to reach anyway.

I want to take the chance, to leap without fear, into the unknown, over mud puddles while reaching for the other side.

I want to reach for the stars and touch everything in between.

"When you reach for the stars, you are reaching for the

farthest thing out there. When you reach deep into yourself,
it is the same thing, but in the opposite direction. If you
reach in both directions, you will have spanned the universe."
- Vera Nazarian
P.S.- I would like to invite you to join me over at Focusing on Life today (new month, new theme) where I'm sharing thoughts on time, A Tall Ship and new beginnings.

Love, Kim


Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Song-ography






25 comments:

ju-north said...

Go for it Kim! We're cheering you on from the sidelines!

Buckeroomama said...

May you attain all that you reach for, Kim. What a powerful image you got there. Absolutely perfect for your word.

Sarah Huizenga said...

Great word and I can see you reaching many new places in 2015.

Tamar SB said...

Reach for the stars and touch everything in between - LOVE THAT!!!

Kathryn Dyche said...

What a beautiful depiction of the word you've chosen to accompany you this year. Reach is perfect and I know you won't be left hanging. :)

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Reach was my world for last year and though I have chosen become this year I am not quite ready to give up reach all together. If you google a thesaurus you will find a list of words associated with reach that are simply wonderful as well.

chasing the sun said...

I love the word and the image :-)

nancyjean said...

Hi Kim, What a great word for this new year ... I am still pondering mine ... what a perfect photo for your word!!

chasing the sun said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michelle B said...

What a wonderful word to guide your year! I haven't figured mine out yet...

Honey from the Bee said...

Great word, Kim! Can't imagine not being in a more fulfilled place than having that word in your personal vocabulary all year.

I do know what you mean about feeling there's something more that one should be doing. I too have felt that and have kept myself open to hearing the possibilities. You'll see a post from me soon about my action for the year.

Love ya. Hugs and admiration for your strength.

Nicki said...

Sometimes we accomplish goals without fore thought or knowledge that the goal even existed - it was reached simply by doing and extending our boundaries and limits. In retrospect, many years I would have categorized as 'hum drum' were still successful in their own right - every effort doesn't have to yield a bumper crop in order to be a success.

I am confident you will reach and achieve; the degree to which you do either will not singularly define you.

Kmcblackburn said...

Well, I have to tell you...I ALWAYS feel your posts and photographs here on your blog are "intentional". They always seem to have a purpose, and are so spot on with their message and purpose. It's one of the reasons I love visiting here. I so often feel I'm flying by the seat of my pants...in my blog, in my photography, and in life. I kinda feel "grounded" when visiting you. So IF you do not feel you captured the essence of "intentional"...then you hid it well :) I have no doubt "reach" will be equally as successful for you in 2015. Keep on truckin' my friend. And thanks for linking up to Song-ography.

Kim said...

It's funny how harshly we can critique our own self and work. I look at your photos and am always blown away by how good they are and how they always tell the story. Best of luck to you this year, if it's anything like last year you'll do great.

Dotti said...

I remember when this photo was taken! ** sigh ** And I love the edit. Reach is an excellent word and I hope it serves you well. xo

Sheila said...

Love that image, and your word.

Beverly said...

May your year be blessed as you reach for new heights! Love your word!

Unknown said...

I LOVE that lightning bolt moments...it just takes an open heart and mind!!! Love this post.

Brenda said...

So very inspiring! I look forward to following you along on your reaching journey.

Diana said...

PERFECT word for 2015

Sharon said...

I love the word picture of reaching for the stars, and your image to show this. Thanks for your inspiring post and your honesty. I'm looking forward to hearing about your year in 2015!

NatureFootstep said...

lovely composition :)

Monica / NatureFootstep at
http://nfverk.blogspot.se/

molly said...

Interesting words there... I really like the way you have written about what those words mean to you

Mollyxxx

Anita Johnson said...

I look forward to reading your posts this year...the photos is just perfect. Frame it and hang it where you write from! I love your work with butterflies...

Anonymous said...

That is an awesome photo. I've never done the choose a word for the New Year, but it fits with how I've felt lately. I need to find my Joy instead of reflecting on what ifs from my life so I guess I've chosen to find Joy in just the everyday life. I like your word too because to reach is to explore and delve into things as they come along. I like your word. :) So, I have found Joy right here with your photo and your posting. :) Thanks...

Peabea, visiting from TT

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