Word of the Year 2013 ~ I Like It

If you're a long time reader here (thank you), you know that I don't go in for New Year's resolutions.  They tend to get broken which in turn leaves me feeling disappointed in myself.  Too much pressure for this gardener.

Instead, I choose a word to guide, motivate and ground me throughout the year.  That's not really true ...  the word chooses me somehow.  Like an old, soft and comfortable sweater, the word settles on my heart and I instinctively know that it is the word.

It goes something like this:  wandering down a multitude of mental bunny trails in a distracted sort of way and then believing that I've found the perfect word only to be hit with a mental mind slap by the word that has found me. 

Some of the words I've claimed and tried to honor include:  espy, stretch, freedom, forgiveness, discipline, balance and spontaneity.  (My family definitely wouldn't say that I claimed (or honored) spontaneity - I tried -  they love me anyway ♥). 

The closing of this swiftly moving year finds me enjoying a satisfyingly cold and drizzly day by the fireplace.  Jotting down ideas and words, I thought several times that I had the right word, several words in fact teased  and tempted.  Completion (for the numerous incomplete projects), grace (to honor those who share it with me and to offer it to those who need it), light (because we live in a dangerously dark world that begs for more), encourage (because it makes others feel cared for and nurtured and it makes me happy to see them grow)...

But none of these words settled comfortably.  The word was just out of reach, out on the periphery of my mind's edge.  And it wouldn't be summoned. 

And then the word appeared ... and I knew it was right.

Let me share a few of it's synonyms with you:  accidentally on purpose (my personal favorite), awake, deliberate, cognizant, insightful, observant, gratuitous, premeditated.  It's a good list. 
 
It's a good word.  Solid and full of purpose.  It's all encompassing and motivating.  It's not a quiet, subtle or lazy word.  It has bite.  I like it. 

It allows room for action on all the other words that were swimming around my mind.  With intention I will offer grace, light and encouragement.  And come hell or high water, with intention I will get some of these projects completed.

 

intentional

I like it. 

 

Tick Tock...

My word for 2012 is STRETCH...

Just because he is so cute.

In an effort to stretch my knowledge about the best timing for taking care of gardening tasks in Central Texas, I've been reading the Garden Guide for Austin and Vicinity, published by the Travis County Master Gardeners Association in 2009.

Filled with anticipation at being organized for the new year I went through the list of tasks for January and circled those that needed to be done in my own garden. 

Roses were planted,  larkspur seeds purchased, a few summer and fall blooming perennials were divided and transplanted...things were rolling right along.  I was feeling organized.

The last day of the month stealthy approached.  Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.  I kept going over my mental list of the jobs needing my attention.  A couple of small shrubs needed to be planted and the daylilies, irises, pansies and roses needed to be fertilized.

I made it just under the wire!   I can put a big check mark next to the items on my list!  Now to start thinking about February's list...I'm gonna have to be on it; February is such a short month.  Luckily, it's leap year...we get an extra day!

What about you?  What kind of gardening tasks are you checking off your list and what will you 

do with your extra day in February? 

Really cute.

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?

Permission to Explore...

Farewell 2010!

 

Hello 2011!

New Year's resolutions are pretty standard fare this time of year and I enjoy hearing the resolutions of my friends.  However, for myself, they always seem to be a sure set up for failure...So six years ago I decided to focus on a word rather than a resolution.  I use the word to help guide my goals and focus for the upcoming year. 

Some of the words I've used in the past include discipline, forgiveness, balance and spontaneity.  In fact one of the reasons I started this blog was as a result of a goal associated with my 2010 word which was freedom.   There is a notation in my journal that reads "share your story - be free!"   I haven't looked at the journal entry since I'd written it down but smiled this evening as I went through and realized I had planted the seed early in the year and that the goal had been realized with the birth of this blog.  That is what the word does for me...it begins a thread of ideas that help me to focus and channel my energy into the areas of my life that I'd like to improve, begin and/or change.

There really isn't a magic system to coming up with a word; my heart usually knows which direction it needs to take and a couple days of thinking about it will usually produce a clear idea of what areas of my life need attention. 

Just as these paperwhite bulbs instinctively know to bloom with a little sunlight and water my word of the year instinctively develops.

A few words will come to mind and then over the course of a few days one will settle in and will start to bloom and it feels right.  This year dictionary.com was useful in helping with synonyms of the words being contemplated.

Espy [ih-spahy] is my 2011 word.   It relates to catching sight of something...the hidden potential, lurking ideas, possible solutions, undeveloped thoughts, unrealized dreams and the implied pursued.  It is the permission to explore - to take the time necessary to allow the sightings to unfold and materialize - to get over your hill and see!

So here is to the New Year!  Here is to potential realized, discoveries revealed and dreams fulfilled!  Here is to unearthing the possibilities whether they be in the heart, home or garden.

Here is to a fabulous 2011! 

It has been a joyous 2010 to have discovered garden bloggers all over the world these past few months and I'm so grateful for your friendship.  Thank you for your support and encouragement.  Thank you for inviting me into your gardens and more importantly, your lives.  You are treasured. ~Cat

Happy New Year!