Scenes from the Weekend & Thoughts on the Year Passed, the Year Ahead
You know what I love about getting out of town? The way it creates breathing room between the you in your temporary locale––in the mountains, say, or on the beach––and you back at home. There’s distance between the unordinary life of you hiking along a pondside trail and your typical day-in, day-out checking the mailbox and both, it seems, are better for it. You give the long shadows in the woods more of your attention than you would if you saw them every day. Your life back home can get the same treatment, too. Away, you can hold it up, examine it from all angles, figure out what you like best and what’s not working anymore.
I stumbled across Reverb 10 late, but I don’t think it matters. Start today or on New Year’s Eve. There’s no bad time, really, to bring attention to your life, and to create time and space to think about it. The premise is simple: each day, you’re provided a writing prompt to help you “reflect on this year and manifest what’s next.”
I loved the prompt from the first day, which I only tackled this morning and which required some hard thinking. “Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?” I am always falling in love with a word that I want to describe my entire sense of my life. You may remember my waxings on the word “expansive.”
But lately I’ve been thinking about the word full, about abundance. It keeps popping up through the white noise in my brain, like a jack-in-the-box breaking through a layer of cobwebs. It could be the English major in me, but I like the assumption that if something occurs again and again, perhaps it has some greater import, a message it’s trying to relay if you could just read the signs.
How strange is this: life can be going to hell in a handbasket and you can feel utterly at peace about it. It’s the weirdest thing. I cite my own fall of 2008, when I was sitting beside my mom in the chemo corral, the two of us sharing my laptop trying to choose my china pattern. And during that time, back at work, I remember standing on the southwest corner of 6th Avenue and 42nd Street. I felt like a vessel of quiet, of peace. I was made out of something solid, while the rest of the city––noisy, abrasive, impersonal––swirled right around me. It didn’t matter; I was impervious to it. My own sense of hope and calm was unshakable then.
I’m feeling something similar now. The end of one gig is on the horizon and, I don’t have the next thing lined up. But it’s the strangest thing: I’m not in a panic anymore, and right now, at least, on this cold December morning with the fragrant Christmas tree to my left, undecorated save for some twinkling white lights, I’m not worried.
Perhaps that’s what I was feeling on the street corner years ago: that I had reserves in me that could weather whatever came my way. Do you ever have the sense that in the face of all evidence to the contrary, everything is going to be alright? I have no idea what that means or what could happen or what will happen. But it doesn’t matter: it will be alright.
Part of that sense is thanks to you. Yes, you. Community has always been an anchor in my life; when I haven’t felt a part of one is when I have felt most miserable. So dropping in here and knowing that a likeminded collection of women are as equally eager to talk about taking good care of yourself as mixing cocktails as children’s literature as what to make for dinner –– it plays a huge, huge role in that “everything’s going to be alright” feeling. Thank you seems like such a little thing to say, but there it is: thank you.
If you are lactose intolerant, apologies for serving you a giant cheeseball for breakfast, but woman can not live on oatmeal alone, you know what I mean?
So: What word might be your 2010? And what word would be your 2011?
Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams: I don’t have my next gig lined up either – and sometimes that freaks me out. But sometimes, like today, I’m able to trust that it will be all right. And yes, community plays a huge part in that.
My word for 2010 was brave – I followed it all the way to Boston. And I think my word for 2011 is comfort. Still working on what that means, but it keeps coming up, as you said, so I think I better pay attention.
1 year ago
Brave is an excellent, excellent word. I love that.1 year ago
Kristina Strain: It makes me feel good to know you’re peaceful and calm about your upcoming transition. It’s an impressive ability, to be peaceful and calm in the face of unknowns. I’m one of those people who likes knowing exactly what to expect, so unknowns make me sweat.
For 2011, I nominate free. Free of the city, free of the confines of a too-small house and yard, and, most deliciously, free as in free-lance. That is my keenest hope for 2011.
And don’t worry, dear, you know you make the most delicious cheeseballs.
1 year ago
Lisa (dinner party): Whatever happens next will be great, I just know it. Thinking good thoughts for you.
1 year ago
wendy: I have never given much thought to naming my year, let alone in one word. I think for 2010 it has to be growth. For 2011 I pray that it will be enthusiasim.
I happen to love cheese for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. ^_^1 year ago
Maria: My word for 2010 was ‘intentional’ … I talked about it in this post from January (boy! feels like forever ago.) I mention there the term “unintended complacency” and I think that’s the phrase that really drove my year. I’m still figuring out how intentional it really was, but it wasn’t aimless or complacent, which is something.
I’m working on a frame for 2011. I like yours. Abundance is a really great word.1 year ago
I am loving these words: free, growth, enthusiasm, intentional. I’m still loving “full,” but I wish it had a lot more action in it.1 year ago
Sarah: I am excited you are doing Reverb 10! I am doing it, too, and it has given me a spark.
I do not comment enough, and when I do, I realize how much I have in common with women I have never met – which provides a wonderful online neighborhood 
1 year ago
I am still trying to decide on what I want my word to be for 2011. I am trying to pick something that will give me a good challenge.
Thanks for this posting and providing a sense of community online
Christine S.: My 2010 word is “transformation”…due to unhealthy eating habits combined with a lack of exercise, Jan. 2010 earmarked the beginning of transformation physically, mentally, and emotionally.
2011, I believe, will be “cherish”…My daughter turns 17 in January. 2011 will be the last year that she will reside with me full-time in our home. 2011 also marks the transition of my youngest, my son, from “childhood” to “young manhood” in that he will end his 8th grade year and begin his 1st year of high school. I guess one might look as 2011 as being a mix of “beginnings/endings”…that is more about where my kids are. For me, it is about savoring and cherishing every happening and moment with them.
Thanks for inspiring me to think about this, Sarah!1 year ago
Amy --- Just A Titch: I love the word “abundance.” It makes me think of good things overflowing to the point where they can’t be contained. Such a lovely image.
My word for 2010 was “connect” and my word for 2011 is “do.”1 year ago
Karina: I always appreciate your posts. They fill a pleasant alternative to the loud, boisterous blogosphere and are always provocative. I actually have been thinking of the word ‘abundance’ for the coming year as well – it encompasses so much and while it may not hold much “action” it can certainly stand in front of a verb. I like that it signifies the filling of something, that it carries almost a ritualistic connotation. I hope your word manifests itself in plentitude this coming year. Thanks as always for the inspiration.1 year ago
MrsB: “When I left Queen’s my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best does.”
— L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)
x1 year ago
citygirl: Unfortunately I think my word for 2010 (and 2009…and 2008) would be “flux” or, possibly, “chaos”. But, I’d like my word for 2011 to be “success”.
And, as foar as the idea of community goes, thank you right back!1 year ago
Hilary: Your post reminds me of that wonderful Camus quote:
“In the midst of winter I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”1 year ago
Evon T.: Wow, I love this exercise. I’d have to say that the word that best describes my life in 2010 would be “transition”. I bought my first place and still getting used to it. And as for 2011, “transformation” is what I’m hoping will be the absolute best label I can slap onto that year. I’d like to focus on my physical, emotional, and financial self, making drastic changes in the upcoming year… not fearing what others may think or feel about it. Do you ever get tired of having to consider what someone else feels before you do something even slightly daring with your life? Well, I do! And in the new year, my attitude will become more “This is what I’m going to do and I hope that you understand.” Thank you for a wonderful post, Sarah.1 year ago
Brie.: Awesome photos Sarah!
I think my word for the year is ‘redeemed’ it also keeps popping into my head, (heart?), seems to be a theme in my life and my reading as of late. I’m thinking of keeping it for 2011.
And well, my name is ‘Brie’ so chances are, I’m a pretty big fan of the cheese!1 year ago
Sarah, I rather love the word “spark” myself!
Christine S., So many changes in 2011 for you, too. Cherish sounds like a lovely way to savor the present.
Amy, Just checked out your lovely blog! Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks so much, Karina. You reminded me of the many good things of a non-actiony word.
MrsB, Perfect, of course. Thank you for invoking Anne! (She’s in my DVD player right now!)
citygirl, Flux and chaos can be a lot to handle, but they do usher is growth, too!
Hilary, That line needs to be posted somewhere prominently on the blog. Love it. Thank you.
Evon T, I love your sense of independent adventure in 2011! Sounds like a wonderful way to usher in the new year.
Thank you, Brie! (Also, yum.)1 year ago
Miranda M.: Your writing and focus (and you) are Amazing. Truly. You’re the kinda gal I add to my inner circle.
For me, this year has been ‘Grounding’. Although I’ve been working towards being grounded all my life, the feedback I’ve received has reinforced my efforts.
Next year…’Leaping’. Big giant leaps. I’m so excited.1 year ago
Emily from Mouth of the Border: Just popping in to say that I very much relate to you on the feeling I get when I don’t know what’s happening next. I’m there right now. Leaving my company in the next 6 months to focus on my food site fulltime and building a business around it. I don’t know what life looks like. But I’m only freaking out a little bit. Leap, and the net will appear and all that!
Thank you for sharing.
@EmilysPearl1 year ago
geek+nerd: 2010=Overachieve 2011 (I hope)=Breathe1 year ago
klrkate: Ugh…word for this year is “crazy!” Literally everything in my life, including my own mood and mind, has been turned upside down and inside out! I’m finally clawing my way out and learning to love and care for myself. Your blog has been a big part of the personal growth that has come about in the past few months, and hopefully will continue into the next year. Thank YOU for your outlook on life, love, and everything and your willingness to SHARE with us!1 year ago
Elo: Such an inspiring post, again. It made me think.
In 2010, 2 majors events happened to me : i broke up with my boyfriend, and I read Eckhart Tolle. So the word for that year would be : acceptance.
I think I’m not entirely done with that, so I will keep this word at the back of my mind, as it helped me to not fight the reality anymore and be at peace with it ( which doesn’t mean being defeatist and not going forward ; it’s a quite difficult concept to sum up in few lines, moreover in a foreign language)
Anyway. I’m leaving France for Bresil by myself, in february, for 6 months, with 3 aims : learn from the classes I will be taking at the university, leanr capoeira and photography, my world for february will probably be : discovery. And even if I’m scared, I’m also really excited about it !1 year ago
Jen: I think ‘acceptance’ is a GREAT word for my 2010 as well. I really committed myself to an effort to get comfortable with uncertainty, and while this is a long-term one, it feels so good to have started in earnest.
For 2011, off the top of my head: centered, or joy or flow. One of these maybe!
Thanks for waving me over to this idea. Last year was the first where I really participated in a ritual of transition during the Solstice/New Year, and I have been amazed by how helpful it has been!1 year ago
Jenn: 2010 was definitely a year of finding myself so I guess growth pretty well sums it up.
2011 is a bit difficult… I of course want more growth but I feel I’m a bit stuck right now. I don’t have community and every molecule in my body is screaming for connectivity. I have everything, an amazing husband and 2 children whom i love to no end but theres something else missing for me. I need someone else to share, discuss, explore and be open with. I feel so bottled up inside. Maybe my word is Expand.
Isn’t it great how one word brings so many different emotions, feelings, thoughts…. possibilities… I feel so much and I’m ready to let it out and share. So, Expand Expand Expand!!!1 year ago