January 2, 2012

One Little Word...


Nourish - v. to promote the growth of; to furnish or sustain;
 cultivate, encourage, foster


Did you ever feel there is something on the other side of the door, just out of your reach and waiting for you to stretch out and grab it?  It's within your grasp, you just have to want it enough to open up the door and embrace it?  That missing element that might begin with a small acknowledgement, a pebble thrown into a pond. But once contact is made the ripples will spread out and effect so much more than you initially comprehended.  You just need to open the door and invite it in.




Chestnut Hill, PA


I have been intrigued by Shutter Sisters and their "One Word Project".  It is a way to set your intentions for the new year, by choosing one word you wish to celebrate for the whole year.  Invite it into your life, adopt it, live with it, embrace it, follow it.  Say it out loud, print it in your diary, blog,  journal, and commit to it.  One little word that will navigate a path to follow, a doorway to walk thru which defines your approach to the new year, your personal and creative goals, exploring a new way of being in the world. The difficulty is in finding the RIGHT word.  The word that fits you, your needs, your desires.  The one word that calls out to you.




Chestnut Hill, PA


Can one little word really do all that?  I've always believed in the power of the written word.  Once written down it is tangible.  So after much contemplation I've decided to open the door and go for it.  My 2012 "One Little Word" is, NOURISH. I am going to devote this year to encouraging, cultivating, and encouraging growth...personally and creatively.  Nourish. 



The Secret Garden
Chestnut Hill, PA


What does that mean?  Just as in nourishing my body by cutting back on unhealthy lifestyle choices that stymie growth and physical well-being I am going to adopt and apply the same concept to what makes me happy, what nourishes me.  Creativity and photography for sure!  Stepping outside my comfort zone, expanding my knowledge base, cutting out excuses, wasted time, self-doubt (the last is probably the hardest!).   Nourishing by expanding my comfort boundaries, knowledge, productive hours and confidence.  And I'm going to use "nourish" as a recurring theme throughout 2012 in my photography too.  I'm interested to see where that will take me.

YIKES!  That is ALOT of weight for one little word to carry.  But if you don't open up the door to the possibility, you'll never discover the beauty that might await on the other side.

2012...the year of NOURISH.  Do you have a "One Little Word" for the new year?


--Kathy




27 comments:

  1. That's a great word Kathy! I think you'll find some amazing things this year. That last image is my favorite... wonderful perspective.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yikes you are right, lotta possibilities in that one little word. I am still contemplating my word...last year I contemplated (procrastinated) so long I never did choose one. Beautiful images of the garden...hugs!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm embracing the one word philosphy this year, too. Nourish is a great word with layers of meaning. I chose 'imagine' as my word for 2012.

    Wonderful photos!

    Gooo Bucks! hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  4. That was such a well written post - thank you for the pleasure of reading it. Best wishes for the journey that your word's going to take you on , I really like your last photo, it feels like your seconds away from starting your venture by walking through that entrance.

    ReplyDelete
  5. There sure are a lot of possibilities in the word you chose Kathy! I think it is a fantastic choice.

    How perfect these photographs are for this wonderful post!

    Thank you so very much for sharing with us today at The Creative Exchange.

    Have a great day!

    lisa.

    ReplyDelete
  6. endless possibilities kathy, i think you are on to something.

    i would need to give a lot of thought to choosing just one word, perhaps "believe" would be my one!!

    wonderful, wonderful photograph's kathy, i also LOVE the way you write. you really draw me in!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. what a great word! I don't think I could come up with one word for myself, but I like yours. thanks for showing off your shot. I love that first photo.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like your word, Kathy! I have read so many blogs lately where in them the creators are choosing "words" to represent them personally throughout the 2012 year. Naturally, I come by all this late in the game (that's me - always late!), but I would love to find a word that would not only inspire but also that could represent me completely, wholly, and properly. Honestly, this whole 'word' thing feels exciting and daunting all at the same time. But I am going to think on this for awhile - let myself open to the possibility that there is a word out there, one that is right for me, just waiting to be chosen so that it can do its magical thing for me, and I for it, in the upcoming 2012 year.

    And I, too, believe in the power of the written word. The written word does become a tangible thing once written down on paper - our thoughts even become tangible - because thoughts are things. And that's why it is so important to think about the things we want, rather than the things we don't want. Anyway, loved your blog entry today and it has me really thinking about this whole word thing. Thanks for that!

    Great photos, too!

    Angie :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is brilliant! You will be SO happy that you've done this. It will be very powerful, and the word will show itself to have many shades, nuances and depths as the year progresses. I have done this with themes...most often limiting myself to one. This year I chose more...but I'm not sure that zeroing in like this isn't more powerful! Great word too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. hello all the best have a gud new year
    alfie

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kathy, Wonderful post! Lovely photos and I enjoyed your composition on "Nourish". What a better place the world would be if we all tried to "nourish" each other a little more. Happy New Year--hope it is filled with many joys and blessings. Mickie :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I LOVE it Kathy...This is an amazing post. Think of the possibilities. You are a great writer.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That is a fabulous plan!!!! Can't wait to see it all come to fruition Kathy!

    ReplyDelete
  14. so beautifully written, i agree completely!
    looking forward to seeing this year through your eyes :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautifully photography, I try to open new doors every chance I get!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love this and love your right. So awesome. thanks for linking up.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gosh, what a fabulous idea! And I love the word you chose. I agree that words can be powerful and inspiring! May your journey be filled with blessings ;)

    Love your gorgeous photos!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a wonderful word.. So many possibilities.. Best of luck to you. You have opened the door. That is the first step.. You go girl..

    Hugs, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great photos. I love your word, still trying to find mine.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello and Happy New Year Kathy!
    I like your word because it's pretty all-encompassing. Brilliant! Finding the "right" word is key and you've done that.
    I wish you much joy and nourishment and I love that first photo most of all!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I really like your first image! It's a perfect opening for your year of nourishing all that's best in life :)
    Wishing you a wonderful 2012!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. How did you know I needed to read such an inspiring post today? I wish you all the best in 'nourishing' your soul and I'll be right behind you as I watch you grow.

    Can I pick a phrase instead of just a word? Mine would be 'get over it'. Let all those doubts, feelings, excuses roll right over me and move on to bigger and better possibilities, opportunities and people.

    ReplyDelete
  23. "Get Over It"....that was my mantra LAST year :) So, it's available for 2012, grab it! :)

    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow. This post knocked my socks off. I am so with you. Feeling every word. You continue to amaze me.. now off to search for my word. Thank you my bloc friend.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great word, and great images to go with it. Good luck with it Kathy. How hard it is to choose one word to focus on though! I think 'growth' will be mine (hopefully not in girth!).

    ReplyDelete
  26. That should read 'grow'! Maybe I should have chosen 'Sleep More'!

    ReplyDelete
  27. That is a good, strong, inspiring word! I must take a week of for deliberation on my word for 2012.

    ReplyDelete