Reflecting

So awhile ago I came across reverb10 on a couple of blogs I read and thought it was an interesting concept:

Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. 

However, at the time I was so overwhelmed I couldn't possibly commit to responding to a prompt every. single. day. No way, no how. It just wasn't gonna happen.

I've been getting the emails every day though, and I've thought a lot about a few ... some of them are really tough! So here goes...

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}

I've been thinking about this one for awhile and I'll be honest... I've really struggled! I'm not sure I can pick one word to describe all of 2010. My first thought today is "challenging" but I'm not sure if that's just a reflection of where I'm at right now. Hmm...if 2009 was a year of change, then 2010 has been a year of adjustment. To adjust means to grow into, conform, adapt, to put into working order and I feel like that has been much of what my year has been about. Between establishing working on myself professionally and making my house and yard more my own, I'd have to say adjustments have definitely been made. I suppose I've also worked on myself personally, even though I never really did complete that darn list. My word for 2011 is balance. You know I struggle with balance and self-care and I need to make that a priority in the upcoming year.

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}

I know it's silly...and yes, it's been painful, but CrushGate has definitely left me feeling quite alive this year. The exhilaration, hope, giddiness, embarrassment, etc., have left me with weak knees, a flushed face, goofy smile, and pounding heart... also nausea and dizziness. Heck, it's better than a rollercoaster! {And yes, I just cheated because technically CrushGate has been a series of moments. Deal with it.}

Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? 

I didn't realize this until I was looking back over my blog for the year, but I can answer this without a doubt: I picked up a camera. I'm not a photographer. I don't have a super-fancy-schmancy camera. I've never taken a photography class in my life and really didn't know much of anything when I started playing around. I've read a few things since then, but I'm still pretty astonished when I end up with a good picture (after LOTS of bad shots). I love the macro (or really close-up) shots. There's something awesome about seeing something pretty common, like a flower or a growing pepper, super-close up like that. It just makes me appreciate things in a whole new way.

This cultivated wonder in me

And this

And definitely this

Seeing these pictures again makes me feel a little better about the chilly damp weather out there today...

Anyway, how would you respond to one or all of the prompts above? I'm dying to know...