Reverb 10

I just signed up for this marvelous project to spend December reflecting back on 2010. Here is the story of Reverb 10 http://www.reverb10.com/ and its' founders. Loving the idea of reflecting back at this time of year anyway, I immediately signed up. I'll be posting the questions and my responses daily. I've got some catching up to do, so here's the first few days:

December 1 - One Word.
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?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

The word that is coming to mind is Celebrate. I became a certified life-cycle celebrant this year, something I'm quite proud of and something that totally suits me. I performed 2 ceremonies for folks and have a couple more lined up for 2011. We celebrated my grandson's first birthday and a couple of weddings. I led several retreats this year which felt marvelously successful in terms of turnout and feedback and good feelings which is a celebration for me. I enjoy focusing on the celebration of life, on what is good. In 2011 I'm going on a week long trip to Puerta Vallarta Mexico and to Italy in the fall, so my word will be adventure.

December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)

Good question for me. I am so focused on writing, as Natalie Goldberg says a 'writing practice' just like a meditation or yoga practice. I want to have that writing practice and be a good writer, express what's in me. Yet instead of doing it, I spend lots of time reading interesting things online, on facebook too long or engaged in what I would characterize as "goofing off". Not making the time for it is the problem and I need to eliminate my self talk that convinces me to do something other than write. It feels like a fitting it in issue but I know I can if I put my mind to it.


December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

The weekend of my birthday in August I signed up for a Saturday writers retreat and stayed the night by myself on the coast in a tiny cottage. Sunday was my 'do what Cindie wants' day and I hiked the coast line. Walking along in solitude on a gorgeous day, a huge turkey vulture suddenly swooped over my head. I didn't realize that was what it was initially but was mesmerized by this bird that was so big it made me think of a dinosaur! I stood there watching it fly right above my head, quietly saying "Wow" over and over. Continuing on my walk I stopped and looked out at the ocean. There in the water were whales, jumping and leaping. I watched them for some time, amazed, not expecting them. I also locked gazes with a beautiful deer and saw multitudes of other birds. It was a moment of unbelievable beauty all around me and I felt so very lucky to be experiencing it all.

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

I think being around my grandson on a regular basis as he grows has reconnected me to wonder. I see the world through his eyes and they are so much broader than my adult eyes. Taking a walk down the sidewalk is cause for wonder every step. He stops when he sees something and says "OH". We pick up leaves, we look at lady bugs, we notice a puddle of water. He invites me to join him in his curiosity, patting the sidewalk "nana", "cmmmon", meaning come on nana, sit here next to me. Destinations are irrelevant. We notice the wind on our face and the train whistle across town and I am filled with wonder and gratitude.

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

I'm letting go (still a work in progress) of things being a certain way while at the same time letting go of accepting what is if I am not happy with it. My relationship has been a study for me all year as I wrestle with what is important to me and what I can let go of there. I have let go of things being the way they were with my mom and brother and have formed new relationships with them that are still evolving and changing but are feeling more satisfying. I am letting go of needing to be perfect and have let go of letting what other people do upset me. I am letting go of worry.

What great questions. What a great idea. How would you answer some of these? Please share.