It’s the last month of 2010, and I’m going to squeeze every last drop out of it. And I’ve signed up for Reverb10 to help me make the most of it – by reflecting back on the whole year.
Today is the first day of prompts, and it’s a good one: 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?
And my word is…
GOODBYE.
2010 was a tremendous year of change, and loss. I said goodbye to my job of 10 years, and the organization I founded, Wide Angle Youth Media. I said goodbye to knowing where I was supposed to be each day. I said goodbye to my familiar, Sasquatch, the strangest, smartest, best cat I’ve ever known. I said goodbye to neighbors and friends who have moved on in different ways. And I said goodbye to a closely held dream, of something I wanted, but cannot have, at least right now.
I will not say “good riddance” to this year. The goodbyes I made this year meant so much to me – they were done with deliberation and reverence. While I hated to say that word, I’m hopeful that it will allow me to say “Hello” to a lot more in 2011.
And so, the word I am looking to find in 2011 is…
WELCOME.
More than hello, this is open arms, big skies, and set tables. This is not just a greeting, but an invitation. I look forward to the new people, work, community, and experiences awaiting me.
How about you? What are your words?
I LOVE your word for 2011!
Welcome to 2011 INDEED! 2010 was freaking HARD. Hard in a “growing, changing, altering for the better way”, but I am SO excited for 2011.
Favorite line: “The goodbyes I made this year meant so much to me – they were done with deliberation and reverence.”
I wish more goodbyes were done with deliberation and reverence!
gin- i love this. i also signed up for reverb10′s daily thought provoking questions and will try to spend some time this evening -answering what word encompasses such a complex and challenging year as 2010…
Thank You, Linda! I agree, and feel very fortunate.
Vanessa, I can’t wait to hear more!