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November 1 OLW blog hop: I call this success

Naomi

OLWbloghop_LOGO_zps1135306cWelcome to November!!! Yikes, that’s scary.

My year thus far with “stillness” has been productive, I have decided.  I am a wee bit more likely to sit down and appreciate the moment than I was before focusing on this word, so that’s a positive.  However, I have come to terms with the fact that I’m not a “stillness” kind of person.  Some people can slow down and some just have trouble, and I fall into that latter camp.  Give me a week alone and I’d probably succumb and find peace, but it’d be painful to ramp back up again to my regular pace, so it’s probably best not to go there.  🙂

I’m celebrating the small successes:

  • the short stroll around the neighborhood with my camera, just for five minutes of fun and to notice the light and the fall foliage.
  • a few minutes of reflection time at the end of a long day, accompanied by a candle, piano concertos on the CD player, and a kitty.
  • viewing things and people from a place of abundance and love.
  • little actions of self-care.

And so I’ve decided that my word for next year will be CHERISH.  I’ve been pondering that word and some synonyms for a couple of months now.  I’d like to expand these little self-care actions to be a key part of my days for this reason: because I don’t make myself that cup of mint tea even though it would make a difference in my mood; because I  don’t grab that soft blanket for myself, even though I love texture and softness and it would be comforting; because I take the time and make the extra effort for others, but rarely myself.  This will be the nudge that I need to think of myself as deserving of that effort.  Even better, you can all hold me accountable for it!

OLW October

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Be sure to visit these other participants to see what everyone is up to. You can see other posts about my OLW project here.

Lee: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife/ (our amazing organizer!)

Cheri: http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Margareta: http://www.paperpilekitten.com/

Melanie: http://mellybirddesigns.wordpress.com

Missus Wookie: mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com

Naomi: http://www.poeticaperture.com/ <— You are here.

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Come back next week!

  • Monday: some fun October reads! (See September’s list here.)
  • Wednesday: Part 3 from our collaborative photo essay series (Part 1 and Part 2)
  • Friday: Part 2 of my “house to home” tour – the living room (Part 1: dining room)
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18 responses

  1. Kelli Spencer

    I love your word for the year..STILLNESS. For me to acuqire peace and quite I moved an hour away from the town we lived in. So I can apprecitate the word stillness. I find it everyday now that I forced myself into quietness.

    Reply
  2. Cheri

    I love your honest assessment of this year’s word and your reasons for next year’s – I love the word “cherish”. I haven’t yet chosen a word for next year. Following on the heels of “focus” and “dare” I’m thinking something a bit more quiet and less demanding would be nice!

    Reply
  3. janet forrest

    I think “Cherish” is going to be a great word. And I love how you will be applying it to yourself as well as to others! I have to laugh at us having out next word picked out so soon. Most of the people I know struggle ’til the last minute trying to figure it out.

    Reply
    1. Naomi

      We ARE overachievers sometimes, aren’t we, even if the only people we are impressing is ourselves!? I had trouble the other two years I did this, but this time I know this is the right one. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Tiffany

    I can totally feel you on the trouble being still. Since I began massage therapy school I have become better at prioritizing and making sure I have time to breathe and be myself but in general I’m just a busy and energetic person. Sometimes it can get the best of you and suck the life out so this is a good reminder!

    Reply
    1. Naomi

      I would imagine that as a massage therapist, you don’t get enough nurturing for yourself because you are so focused on others. How great though to learn about our bodies and what soothes them. Thanks so much for visiting!

      Reply
  5. Amy Putkonen

    I want to do the OLW with you next year. Is this a thing that goes on each year? I did take a look at the source – a class on Big Picture Classes – but it said 2013. Will they do another one for 2014? I think my word for 2014 will be sanctuary. That is a challenge for me. I live in a small home, but have wanted to develop a sense of sanctuary in my home. I think that focusing on that word will be helpful to me.

    Reply
    1. Naomi

      How fantastic! I imagine the enrollment will begin sometime soon and I’ll let you know when I hear. I love SANCTUARY! Beautiful, beautiful word.

      Reply
  6. Jennifer Richardson

    You have a still way about you, Naomi…..you bring peace
    when I’m here in your space. It doesn’t feel agitating or like a rattle.
    I like it here. I think you’ve done a wonderful job of sitting with your word
    this year and I feel the sweet fruit of it. Maybe it’s harder to see the growth rings
    on your own trunk:)
    -Jennifer

    Reply
    1. Naomi

      I am so glad you perceive that there’s a peacefulness here. I am drawn to this space for the same clarity and sweet respite. Yes, it IS definitely hard to recognize our own growth. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Deborah Weber

    I’m glad you’re taking time to celebrate your progress with stillness. And now that you’ve spent nearly a year with it, it should have a firm enough foundation that you can return to it again and again and see if you can unpack more of it in the future as you feel inspired. Great choice for your focus next year. It’ll be fun to see how you welcome more of cherish into your life.

    Reply
    1. Naomi

      You are right… I come back to “mindful” from last year sometimes too, recognizing certain moments and appreciating them all the more. Thanks for your encouragement!

      Reply
  8. Lori

    I love your ability to critically self reflect and then proudly own it. It is surely true we are not stillness types. And as a stillness type I also find there is at times judgement from others because I am not perceived as productive enough. As for your 2014 word- love it!! I do cherish you and your column!!

    Reply
    1. Lori

      I meant we are not ALL stillness types.

      Reply
    2. Naomi

      Yes, my inner perfectionist doesn’t like to let me sit still because then I’m not accomplishing much. “Never good enough” has got to go.

      Reply
  9. Missus Wookie

    Your reasons for Cherish are similar to my reasons for choosing Nourish this year. I’ve found adding me onto my list of projects/to do lists has worked and I’ve come to recognise those moments I need to be nourished – meaning I’m able to pace myself much better.

    Stillness is still tricky for me – I’ve gone for mindfulness, ’cause I can do that while walking 🙂

    Reply
    1. Naomi

      That is indeed good to hear because you seem to do so much and are always on the move too. I hope that after a few months, I’ll be able to say what you’ve said about putting yourself on your to-do list. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Margareta Carlsson

    Beautiful! I haven’t decided on my own word for 2014 yet, but I’m working on it. 🙂

    Reply

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