Friday, January 2, 2015

A Year and a Word


My word for 2015 is see.  Of all my senses, I am most inspired by sight, which is a bit ironic, I suppose, since I have weak eyesight, both near and far.  If you were to watch the steps I need to take to set up and shoot a simple photo like the ones of these pears, you might wonder why I bother.   

And yet, I cannot imagine my life without photography or gardening or design.  My writing process is also profoundly influenced by imagery, whether I'm crafting a poem, an essay, an article, or a piece of fiction.  A good sentence begins for me with an image and moves from there.

I'm grateful for the technology that lets my weak eyes see, and I never take it for granted.  I chose this word for 2015 to remind myself to use my eyes, my mind, and my heart to really see, to take in the play of light and shadow through a lace curtain on a summer afternoon or the rough and nobbled grain of the wood on an old farm table--to see things as they are, on their own terms.  And this goes for people as well as things . . . and animals, too.  I want to foster in myself a greater sense of empathy for others and for whatever journeys they may be on.  


I have a full year ahead in my work life as well as my home life, and I know that truly seeing will require me to stop and take long stretches of time.  I am often good about guarding and using my writing time to its fullest, but I need to be better about sitting still and being quiet just to simply see. This will make me a better artist, a better writer, and, I hope, a wiser and richer me.  

I gave myself the gift this new year of signing up for a still life class with my dear friend Kim Klassen.  Kim is one of the most inspiring people I know, so if you are looking for some creative inspiration in 2015, take a peek here.  For me, Be Still--Fifty-Two couldn't be a more perfect way to take that time I need to see.

Have you chosen a word for the year?  If so, please feel free to share it in the comments.  I'd love to learn what word you've selected and why.   

8 comments:

  1. hi gigi… happy new year… i love your word-see-... i came to you blog because you were/are a writer and i was hoping to be published one day... i listened, i watched, and i am now published: co-authored five different books, one by me... my word this year is thank you... so i’m passing it on… thank you… thank you for being an inspiration… I once asked myself: if I have to lose one sense, which one would it be? Vocal… because my eyes are needed for photography, needlepoint, shelling, and everyday things… to see: the world opens up… to lose one’s vocal, one writes… their voice is never silenced… the stories flows on to the pages… to sit still, watch a leaf fall from a tree, gliding through the air to finally land on the ground, seeing the amazement in a new born feral trying to understand what just happened, a story was developed and will be passed on from generation to generation… i hope to publish one of my own stories for children this year...so... bravo!!! wishing you only the very best…. and a huge THANK YOU for all you do… have a wonderful year… hugs2u jeri

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    1. I'm so touched and grateful that my blog has been inspiring for you, Jeri! Bravo to you, too, and all best wishes for a year full of writing and creating. xo

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  2. I've never done the word for the year thing. But i think I should give it some thought. I think that yours is very profound. Have a wonderful 2015.

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    1. Happy New Year to you, Loree! I don't always do a word for the year, but in the years when I've done it, I've found it to be useful and pretty inspiring. If you decide to do it, please let me know the word!

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  3. Seeing should be so simple yet it is one of the hardest things to do I think. To be still for a long enough period to really SEE things as they are. You will enjoy Kim's class :)

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    1. Yes, indeed, Sarah. Stillness and seeing are so interconnected, and it is a challenge to be still and quiet, to be observant, in our world today. I'm looking forward to Kim's class immensely for this very reason. Thanks for paying a visit. :)

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  4. See is a good word. Using your camera and the quiet times are so important in seeing.
    My word is Grateful. I knew it would be a rough start to the year, so chose Grateful as
    a way of focusing on the positives while struggling through the difficult. I am so looking
    forward to the year getting better as it goes along.

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    1. Your choice shows such wisdom, Marilyn. Sending you a big hug, my friend. xo

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