January 1, 2012

Word for 2012 ~ Stretch

Resolutions rarely work for me...but a single word can influence the direction my new year goals take.  Last year's word, espy, helped me to stay focused on discovering and appreciating the small, subtle details of my life.

2012 finds me feeling as though I need to stretch my boundaries...

Stretch myself beyond my comfort zone...reaching for a little more than I typically would...stretch my gardening self with the continuation of my Master Gardener training/internship and seeing my garden with fresh eyes and being willing to think outside our suburban square box of yard.  Stretch my physical self with plenty of gardening projects and yoga...stretch my creative self with innovative gardening ideas [pinterest is a great place to get inspired], photography challenges and courses, mosaic building and blogging.  

{Are you seeing the trend...how gardening weaves itself into every category!}


Like the beautiful hi-rise buildings of Austin reaching skyward or the taught, barbed-wire stretched
between rusty stakes, I want to STRETCH - mind, body and creative soul!

How about you?  What are you being called to this New Year?

33 comments:

  1. Oh, yes. Pinterest. I'm a fan.

    I'm being called to write and it scares me but it is exhilirating all the same.

    Good luck to you.

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  2. Cat, last year you inspired me to pick a word for the year. I loved it! So this year I am following in your footsteps again and have picked the word: mindfulness. I want to live in the moment and experience the present. I find myself all to often thinking ahead (I am a planner and organizer) and perhaps miss out on an experience, or feeling. I think your word is awesome! It is always good to reach beyond our comfort zone and grow. Happy 2012 my gardening friend!

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  3. Oooh, Pinterest... easy to get stuck there. Yes, like it too.
    Thinking that STRETCH would work for me as well.

    annelie

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  4. Cat, While reading your post, I was thinking how great this idea is. I have my resolutions but if I have to sum it up into a word, it would be Mindfulness. Then I read Karin's word. Ha!

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  5. a good word, for sure. another blogger pal chose 'reach' so you two are on the same path. :)

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  6. I think I'm called to start a long sabbatical in '12! And do some of the above from your commenters, etc. And get in the garden more? Even sleep in!

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  7. I like the idea of a word to follow you through the year rather than a list of resolutions that may not get done. "Stretch" is a great word! This year I think I'm being called to improve, personally, professionally, in relationships, and even in my garden! Best wishes for your 2012!

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  8. I think this is a wonderful idea. A word that describes whatever you've set for yourself.
    I picked 'focus' for mine. I tend to veer off course when I start something. Then, it doesn't get finished. More focus is required.

    Happy New Year.

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  9. I think Stretch is a great word to follow for 2012. My word is Fearless, something that stops me from stretching. We'll see how it works for me. Best wishes to you in 2012.

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  10. I think stretch is an excellent byword for the year. I want to stretch my understanding of garden landscape so have signed up for a course which will stretch my mind. I also want to try and sell plants which will streth my self-confidence and marketing skills.

    I will be stretching with you!!

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  11. Stretch is a great word, Cat; only I was thinking the more physical definition :) I'm pretty happy with my workout routine, but I don't stretch nearly enough :/ Having said that, one thing that I want to focus on this year is to stay in better touch with people (friends) and doing the things I like to do. Your post made me really think about better defining that. And I've come up with "Stay Connected". We live waaaaay out here in the hills (takes me 45 minutes to get Anywhere!) and it's easy to become a hermit...something I'm very good at, but it's not good for me. I will really try to Stay Connected to my friends and do the things I want to do, even if it is a long drive. And on that note, I signed up for a Yoga class 2x a week! Even though it takes me 40 to get there! Thanks Cat, for forcing me to take this step :) OK..sorry for the ridiculously long comment :/

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  12. You really helped me stretch my perception of something that was just plain ugly for me! The barb-wire picture really does hold some beauty! I could not see that when you took the pic! Thank you Cat and thanks for the nice day we spent together! I had a great time and my camera takes better pics already!

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  13. While I like Greggo's goal (more naps), I really think Stretch is the goal I want in my garden this year too. I like how you have framed it for us!

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  14. Sandra, it was my pleasure. Let's take another walk together soon!

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  15. A wonderful word and your photo illustrates it simply. I wish you well at every turn on the road ahead. Lovely to visit your world through your individual creativity here on your blog, thanks, I will be cheering you on my friend. New Year Greetings from Ireland:~)

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  16. Good idea, Cat! I will try to think of a word. Most of all, I'm liking the promise of a fresh start this year. Also, I'm hoping to "stretch" my photography skills. I don't enjoy cold-weather photography, though, so that will be a real challenge to my fingertips. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  17. Happy New Year Cat! You've always been inspiring me with your photos, and these two are not different. I've not been good in night shots so will try it this time. Stretch can be a good word for many, and i love the things your commenters put in. Maybe i should stretch a lot of my things too, including patience, finances, imagination, creativity, physical self (as in Diane's exercise), and my clothes as they seem to be getting smaller! hahaha! You should have put that word for a meme!

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  18. Cat I love your theme word...for me it is all about choices and simplifying this year!! Here's to a wonderful 2012 for us all...

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  19. Lovely image of the skyline. I like your word for the year too. I seem to stretch too much though, being pulled in so many directions, I am with Greggo and think this year will be a little more for taking a break and cutting the cord doing the stretching.

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  20. I love your word! Choosing a word for the year is new to me but I have heard it from 3 different people in as many days. Neat idea! As always, I love the pics!

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  21. I'm totally going to steal this idea. I like how their is freedom and movement under the concept of a single word so I can grow in ways that I can't possibly conceive of now.

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  22. @Chad B - EXACTLY! You so get it! Resolutions never did anything but make me feel guilty...my word for the year is liberating and fluid. I'm glad you like the idea. I'll be interested to see what word you claim.

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  23. Hi Cat - What a great idea, to use a word for the year. I can't really think of one off the top of my head. I'll have to give it some thought for it to be meaningful!!

    I wish you a fantastic 2012!!

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  24. shall be following your resolution with interest Cat. [aside:Daughter leaving for Uni gives Mom more room to expand]
    All the best with the master gardener course and Happy 2012
    p.s. pls tell more about pinterest - have seen it but wonder if it is worthwhile or a stretcher of precious time?

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  25. @PatioPatch - thank you gardening friend. Yes on both accounts for Pinterest...it is a wealth of inspiration but one must definitely guard against allowing it to consume too much time. Like anything, done in moderation, it's worthwhile!! I've only been perusing the site a short while and have found some really good ideas for my garden. Join and just look around, see if it's for you. Let me know if you do so I can follow you. You can follow me at Cat The Whimsical Gardener.

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  26. My goals are more family time, plant chasing time gardening time, massage time.

    Day 5 into the year and it seems my boss has decided to throw a wrench into my well-laid plans. We'll see how it goes.

    Good luck with your stretching!

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  27. First, I'm new. How are ya? I was just on Chad B's site and he mentioned you so that's how I find you. But I swear I've heard of The Whimsical Gardener before.. Are you on Twitter?

    Next, I do like the One word idea to center your resolutions around. Very clever! Stretch is a great one. Good luck with all of it! I might borrow that idea for my fitness blog. I'll be sure to give you credit for it though! :)

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  28. I created a challenge for myself late last summer to think as critically and creatively as possible to help transform my garden into the space I want it to be. I'm focusing on possibilities and creative solutions to various garden dilemmas. I'm convinced the answers are there if I'm just open to them. It's very freeing! Love the idea of stretch. Great word!

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  29. Happy New Year, Cat! I enjoyed your post and like the word you have chosen for 2012's inspiration. I also really like the photo of Austin's skyline!

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  30. Stretching is a most admirable goal. My goal is simple but labor intensive: to finish my work in progress and get it back to my agent. I feel myself stretching creatively.

    Happy New Year!

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  31. Hi Cat, I thought of you as we began 2012 and wondered what you would choose as this year's inspirational word. "Stretch" seems like a great choice.
    I have decided that my own word will be "optimistic", because that is what I need to be most. I need to be optimistic that things are going to get better. Hardships are just character builders right? We have a roof over our heads and there is food on the table. There are lots of people in this world who can't say the same. So what do I have to complain about? I need to be positive and forward thinking. Things can only get better!

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  32. Hi Cat. I feel like I've been away for ages, and while it's getting to be pretty 'early' here, I had to stop by and say Happy New Year, and hello. I will have to return soon to get caught up. As a certain person once said, "I'll be back."

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