Reverb10

There is a great site for getting ready for the new year that posts a question or thought each day and you write to it. It is called rever10. Here is what I've done so far!

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?

2010's word would have to be FIRE. I know that to most people having a house fire might seem like something about stuff. But, for us the house fire was about change. It brought into perspective the things that are important. What we really care about, and really how little things mean. It made us both think that we can do without a lot and we can and will focus on living a simpler life. I always turn back to the difference of living well versus better. Better meaning more things and well meaning with the things you have but enjoying everything in its turn. I hope that the world fire drops from our vocabulary as we move into 2011. I hope that 2011's word is growth. I hope that we can look back on 2010 and realize all the things we have accomplished, what we have learned and how we have changed.

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

To write I have to focus. I have to sit at the computer or with pen and paper and have nothing else going on. No music. No tv. No talking. Really no noise. It is as if I need a little bubble for my creative juices to come out. I must eliminate distractions if I am to write.

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

I could easily pick the moment I entered out house to find it filled with soot and smoke - but that wouldn't been when I felt most alive or something that brings the strongest positive emotion. When we got off the train in the small college town in South Korea and Mike jumped onto a bus. I was standing there. No maps, no idea of where anything was and no way to communicate with anyone. I had no idea what direction to walk or even where to find the simplest of things. I felt my nerve ending prick. My hair felt heavy even though I could see my breath. It was cold out. My stomach felt upset with nerves and I thought, "How will I ever find my way around." I decided to pick a direction and start walking. I picked the exact opposite direction from where I needed to be. I found this out once I finally ran into a person and spoke with her about where the city center was. The smell of fast food, Korean style, was over powering to my nervous stomach. I thought for a moment I might be sick. But, it passed. Once I had a general direction I just started walking. What was nerves turned into excitement and happiness. Finding what you are looking for without having your hand held is so liberating.

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

Wonder is something that as I child I had a ton of and I'm not sure it has ever gone away. I let the world around me surprise me. The kindness of strangers, neighbors, blogger buddies. The love of my spouse. I let wonder be something that is cherished and never abandoned. When it rains here in the high mountains of the Southwest I go up to our ski hill, which is forested, and run on the trails. I do it because of wonder. The smells of the damp ground. The mushrooms emerging from under leafs. I take it all in and let it wash over me with it drizzly hand. I've been told that I act like a child sometimes and I will always take it as a complement. Wonder at the world around you!

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

This year I let go of a great amount of fear. I would never admit it to the outside world openly. But, there has always been a bit of honest that I keep to myself. I am outgoing, straightforward and maybe even a bit abrasive. But, there are a few things about me that I hold in tight because of fear. Fear that I can't move forward with them. Fear that I'll be judged. I decided this past year to just let go and move on. The feeling of acceptance has been overwhelming. I now feel like my path, my road is on track.

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?

The last thing I made was a neck warmer for a dear friend. I enjoy making things with my hands. Working with fibers and fabrics. I'm a very tactile person and the feel of even paper or pen on paper will either inspire me to create or block me completely. I have been making some wonderful progress on cleaning out my stash of fabrics and yarn this year. I hope to continue it into 2011.