This morning, I saw a new hashtag in my Twitter feed: #reverb10. I clicked through and read PaigeWorthy’s fantastically eloquent post, and knew I wanted in.
Every year, as we hurtle into December, I start thinking about the year nearly gone, revisiting resolution lists and figuring out what I might still salvage. Typically, it’s three or four weeks into the new year before I feel adequately prepared to start fresh.
Reverb’s mission is “to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next.” I love the idea of a daily prompt to reflect on a given point. It will be a challenge to write daily, so some may be short, but it’s a more realistic goal for these harried times than NaNoWriMo (which I did in 2006 and 2008). Here we go!
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One Word
Today’s prompt, from Gwen Bell: 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?
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It’s tough to pick a single one to do justice to an entire year. That’s even more true in a year of so much turmoil and change. “Turmoil” implies bad, and this year was anything but. And the simplicity of “change” has been altered by the Obama phenomenon.
Maybe “more,” as that has become my reality? My life is fuller than it’s ever been, and throughout the year, I was asking for more. More responsibilities, more friends, more roles, more creative time and energy. And I got it.
In that same vein, “busy” might work, but again, it’s become an American cliché, a pat response when asked how things are going. “Busy” doesn’t really mean anything anymore if we’re all busy, all the time.
I like “ascending,” because it’s what I’ve been doing – moving on, moving up, both figuratively and literally, as I conquer my fear of running uphills.
But I think “awake” or “awakening” is most apt. 2010 is the year I really woke up to the reality that you only get what you ask for, what you push for, what you work for. And getting anywhere requires being awake, aware, alert and engaged.
So I woke up. I started running regularly and getting more sleep, eating better and really taking care of myself. While in 2009, I focused on losing weight and getting in shape, in 2010 I went further and really took control of my health and all that goes into it. And I’ve begun to find a balance I never knew I could have.
And despite the late nights of class and cramming more into my day than I ever thought possible, I am truly reaping the rewards. I am more engaged in my community and in my own life – and all because I woke up.
Sometimes I’m tired and weary and need the extra-large latte that makes me toss and turn when I know I need the sleep, but overall, it’s so worth it.
A year from now, with a whole year of this “new busy” under my belt, I hope to sum up 2011 with a word like “enthralled” or “mesmerized,” as I hope to be somewhat settled into the lifestyle to the point that I can really enjoy and embrace all I’m learning and doing. I never want to be “content” or “satisfied” because that would imply I can stop!
What word would you use to sum up your 2010? How do you hope to describe your 2011?
Adventures of the Former Elginista 