This was originally posted on January 5th 2016. I’m reposting it in response to Effy Wild’s Artfully Wild Blog Along’s nudge for today: “Dig something really good out of your archived writings”.
Because this has primarily been a blog dedicated to displaying art and not to writing words, I have very few archived “writings”. This is one of the few and wanted to be reheard simply because it is about words.
I hope you enjoy reading it, and if you have the time perhaps you could share whether you choose a word of the year or not and why, and whether it serves you all year.
I hope you all had a wonder filled holiday season and that 2016 will bring you good health, good will and much happiness.
“My word”, “my word”…. everywhere I see “my word is…” It is as if this word has become a requirement for creative, soulful living. Your word of the year has even become a prompt for art journal groups, one which I have no spread for.
What happens if you don’t have a word, that one word, that speaks loudly to you, that will define you as you move forward and through 2016?
Oh the pressure of it all!
| Photo of “I Have No Words” by Tori Beveridge This is how trying to choose a word and not being able to was making me feel. |
Did I mention I don’t have a word? I have nothing. Not one word has come to me that says this is the word that will determine where you will go, how you will grow, etc., etc., through this year. I am not sure what that says about me. Am I a failure, or will I be without that word to guide me? Am I confused about what I want, are my intentions not clear enough to be defined?
I have been trying to think of a word.. that one magical word… Some people have suggested choosing a few words that speak to you.
I think it’s a lovely thought, these words. They show good intentions. They show a positive action and that action, that first step, is a step towards the change that people want in their lives. That makes their word a very powerful, and a very good thing.
Words are powerful. Words can capture and express the soul of who you are. I know the appeal of declaring that one word that will define you for a year. This year, however, it makes me very uncomfortable.
I am more than one word. Tomorrow, I will be different than I am today and over the next twelve months, my hopes, my dreams, my being will change. I may change so much that the word I think of today will no longer be relevant.
So… I will not choose a word. I’ll let the words choose me. I’ll let quotes and poetry inspire me and speak to me. I’ll draw words out of the little bowl on my art table and illustrate them when they move me to.
| Photo of my word bowl. |
I’ll have words.
This speaks to me. I’ve felt the same every new year when the excited chatter begins about choosing a word for the year – a word that will inform your growth. I think I shall create a bowl full of words. Word Salad! Thanks for the inspiration.
Word Salad! Love that!
I like the idea of a word bowl. Sounds like a fun way to create.
It really is fun. The bowl sits in the middle of my art table and any time I need a little inspiration, I reach in and pull out a few words. Never fails to create a spark.
Your word bowl is fabulous! I’ve never chosen a yearly word and in fact the concept is completely new to me but it sounds interesting 🙂