My word for 2016 was Open. This word proved to be beneficial in the fact that I fell in love with the wide open landscape.
But you also have to be cautious when you pick a word like Open, because along with being open to good, you also have to be open to challenging things like change, loss, and frustration.
Being a bit more careful with my word choice for 2017. I have chosen RECLAIM as my word. I like reclaim, it is an action word and I am ready to reclaim some previous undertakings.
Reclaim health. I had two grandfathers and at least two great-grandfathers die from heart disease. One of my grandmothers had a stroke in her fifties and remained bedridden for almost thirty years. As I fast approach the half century mark it is time to be serious about my health, my diet and exercise.
Reclaim time. I need to get back to scheduled workdays. Working with purpose and passion. Make a schedule and stick to it. Make lists and cross things off.
Reclaim dreams. For more than a decade I have had a dream of one day leading small creative retreats. Gathering varying groups of women together to create, to share, to laugh, to cry. To photograph, to journal, to paint, to explore nature, to cook and share meals.
To see how these retreats are put together I need to attend a few first, see what I like, what I would change. I have my eye on one in particular Firefly Institute Photography Camp for Women in California mid-October. It is time to leap off that edge I have been teetering on for the past few years.
Reclaim Making. I bought a small red art journal the other day. I want to make with my hands again.
Reclaim space. In all reality we will be downsizing our house sometime in the next five years. Now is the time to get rid of the clutter, buy less, give more.
I hope that Reclaim is kinder to me than Open was, but no matter what happens in 2017, I am stronger because of being Open in 2016.
Have you chosen a word for 2017? I would love for you to tell me about it.
23 comments:
I love all your shots of beaches! My favourite is the one with a feather! It sounds like you have a good plan to move forward this year and your word for the year is 'Reclaim'. I wonder where it will take you?
No, I don't choose a word for the year. I have done in the past, but it isn't really who I am, I tend to find it confining as I change throughout the year and prefer to adapt to that.
I love your varying perspectives on the beach! It ties in perfectly with your many perspectives on "reclaim". I've never been able to stick with one word for a year - but as I think of 2017, the word "perseverance " keeps entering my mind. I need to give it more thought and add some different, more positive, perspectives to it. Right now it feels like preparing for the worst - and that's not what I want the focus of the new year to be.
This was a gorgeous vision for the new year. Your photos were inspiring, as always. And I can't wait to hear more about the small creative retreat!
I'm pondering my word, but am going between 2. Faith & works. As I did my devotions this morning & I think of the restlessness I have been struggling with as of late, these 2 words were in my scripture & my devotional book. It was amazing how I had randomly picked a scripture passage in James tied in with the reading from a book I've been reading through for over a year came together. So I will think it through & maybe there wil be an upcoming post on it soon.
Mine is Habit and it is very similar to yours. I loved reading about the retreat idea and have dreamed about the same thing. Perhaps a collaboration in the future?? :)
Great choice of word and one I'm sure will inspire growth, creativity and tranquility. I'm much like Sandra and not choosing a word. I was attentive to it in the beginning but by mid-year I was pretty much over that word. Great series of images.
Reclaim is a wonderful word for 2017. Mine is Identity, to try and get mine back!! Fantastic photography as always. Happy New Year!! Chel x
I have never chosen a word before but this year I am going to. I haven't decided on one but it is time to begin working toward a dream I've had for awhile. I've slowly been moving forward but this year I want to take the bull by the horns and focus. Hey, maybe that would be a good word - focus. Forward is another...
Stunning photos! That is a great word. I've been thinking all day today about that same thing reclaiming badly needed space in my studio. I am now on day five of cleaning and re-organizing. I'll be reclaiming some space in other parts of the house after that too.
These photographs are just beautiful, Sarah!
"Reclaim" sounds so full of possibilities. So exciting.
I like the word you have chosen, 'reclaim'...and anxious to hear how it's going to play out for you this year. I love the retreat idea as well...I am sorry I never got the one we talked about off the ground. Maybe this is the year.....
Love your photos and your word for the new year. Last year I had a phrase Living Life Joyously, this year I picked the word Be. There are so many things I can be... I would love to attend a creative retreat someday. It is on my long term goal list, but first I need to finish running a marathon in all 50 states. If things go as planned I will finish sometime in 2018, which will open the door to other goals. A creative photo class!
aka Extremely Fickle
Oh, Sarah, I would love to attend a Creative Retreat! I did click over to the Firefly Institute and will keep this for consideration, but I'd be the first to sign up for a retreat by you in the future! Love your word of the year - and the explanation to go along. (I love the backstory - always). Gorgeous photos with every post!
You are a ambitious person. Good luck with your plan. In the meantime keep on clicking with your camera. When it comes to photography you have it made. I also enjoy the story telling skills that go with the photos. All the best in 2017.
Dear Sarah, I saw you achieve many goals last year by OPENing yourself to stepping out and trying things that challenged you. I like the way you've thought through your word for this year in all its different aspects. I'm looking forward to seeing where it will take you. My new word is Hope. Not an action word in itself, but one that I HOPE will lead to positive actions on my part.
RECLAIM is such a great word. I can see you already have a good plan of action in mind. I'm looking forward to seeing where your word takes you. I've never seriously chosen a word. I've tried a couple of times, but never followed through, but this year I'm thinking on it once again. I keep finding the word PAUSE creeping into my head. We'll see! Your images along the beach as beautiful!
Love your photos and your words. "Reclaim" what a great wonderful word to carry you throughout the year.
I love your love for open spaces. But I never considered the other side of choosing the word open.. very interesting! Reclaim is a powerful word.. if you ever get a small retreat going, please let me know!
I chose the word nourish for 2017. For so many reasons. I tried on other words for size, and they kept leading me back to this one! Nourishment for the body mind and spirit. That's where I am ��
Sarah, gorgeous photos, as always. I love the idea of looking to take back some of our passions that may have gotten away. I am doing that with my art and it feels so good!
Looking forward to seeing you reclaim great stuff this year. For me...I can't seem to get what I want out a word in just one year. So I'll continue working through my word from last year with hope that by the end of this year I'll be satisfied.
Hi Sarah Your photos and messages always resonate with me. I have been rather quiet this past year, taking care of my mom and now grieving her passing as well as new medical issues. I have not picked a word in the past but as I was taking a picture of the moon earlier this evening I noticed our big lit JOY sign still up with our Christmas lights. It really spoke to me so I took a picture. It made me smile. Now I am reading your post and it seems right. Now to write a more 'joyful' blog entry. Thank you always for your inspiration.
Your images are beautiful. Reclaim is a great word. I have chosen Focus. I want to see clearly what is important in my life, prioritize and make goals, and also be more present, focused, when spending time with family/friends or accomplishing my goals. I am looking forward to seeing how Reclaim plays out in your year.
I'm dying to attend a retreat for women photographers. I just signed up for emails on that one Sarah! I love your word...it seems to suit your time in life right now. The word possibilities keeps popping up so my heart is open to it...
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