A New Year, A New Day, And New Beginnings

4:18 PM

“And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

Wow, what a ride 2009 has been! It was a super fantastic year for me with so very much accomplished! I've thoroughly enjoyed going over my list of goals I set back in December/January last year and seeing all those items checked off and exceeded beyond some of my wildest dreams!

Of course, I had no idea that Imaginary Trips would come into existence, that I'd be getting a new MacDaddy computer, that I'd win Best of Show or that I would be blessed with so many wonderful new friendships when I wrote that list! It was certainly a year of transformation in many ways and despite the moments of sheer terror, I had a blast!

In reviewing 2009, I realize that the words BOLD and INTENT served me extraordinarily well. I knew that I had a lot to accomplish in the year (far beyond what was on my list in January) and boldness was going to be key to stepping out and seizing new opportunities, pursuing possibilities, trying new things, overcoming old mindsets and reaching for my dreams.

Setting my Intent made me think about how I was using my time, why I was doing what I was doing. It made me question just about everything and especially the usual "because I've always done this" mindset. It almost always turned out that the mindset wasn't serving me well. It had become a rut rather than a well thought out reason for doing something.

I've been pondering my new word-of-the-year for 2010 for a few weeks now, and I even thought I had selected my new word - wealth - back before Christmas, but it didn't quite fit. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with wealth! In fact, I quite like it and it will most certainly be part of the new year, but it wasn't quite right, and yesterday, as I ran around doing my errands, I spent the time thinking about why it didn't work for me.

I thought about all the things I wanted to cultivate in 2010 - health, wealth, fun, friendships, knowledge, skills, ideas, kindness, happiness, opportunities, joy, possibilities, maybe even a garden and wait a minute………cultivate? Cultivate. CULTIVATE! And that's when I knew I had my word! You see, I have so much I want to do, and be, and see, and accomplish in this new year and I realized I needed a bigger word! A word that would encompass all of this and more (as I have no idea what else might be in store for 2010!) WIth this new word in hand I also realized that wealth was a little too myopic. It focused on just one area of my life.

When I looked up the definition, I saw "break up, preparation, raise, grow, acquire, develop, win and improve" - all words that resonate with me for 2010. I also like that it's a verb, an action word, and I do believe this year will very much be about action. Taking action. Making it happen as opposed to waiting for it to happen. And so I begin 2010 with cultivate as my cornerstone, I'm looking forward to a new year full of things that have never been………

And what's your word-of-the-year???????? Please share in the comments or with a link to your post about your cornerstone!

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7 Creative Thought(s)

  1. Wonderful word, and it can apply to so many different areas of your life. I look forward to seeing where your word of the year takes you!

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  2. I love how you got to the word cultivate! It is a perfect word for you since you have been planting seeds and working all of 2009 to get to this point.

    As you know I chose the word 'improve' and with your help I intend to achieve it.

    HNY Laure.

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  3. I have enjoyed your blog so much this past year and am looking forward to seeing where you go this year. Great word - Cultivate!

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  4. I love your word cultivate. It's perfect!!! Last year it was "all about the birds"...this year it's going to be "all about bird art and creativity." Wishing you all the best in the New Year. I'm so excited to start 2010. 2009 was all about transformation, 2010 will be about growth.

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  5. The words Bold and Intent have served you well throughout 2009. I look forward to seeing what you Cultivate in 2010!

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  6. I'm very impressed with your goal-setting! I've eased off on goals in the past year (with intent ... LOL.) So perhaps my word for the year is EXPLORE. Yep, that fits. I have a few compass coordinates to start off but am willing to let the journey unfold this year. I'll be watching you!

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  7. Hmmm, after thinking about it, my word will be BALANCE. It's been a constant struggle for balance in my life (priorities) and hopefully by mid-year, some obligations in my life will have shifted in order to have a more balanced life.

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