If you blog or tweet, you may have heard about a little thing called Reverb10 – a way to “reflect on this year and manifest what’s next.” I’ve gotta say, I’m more comfortable with the first part than the second, since “manifest” sounds all New Age-y and abstract to me. But I like the idea of preparing for the year ahead, thinking deeply and intentionally about what I want it to be. And reflecting is something I do often. I’m a writer, a blogger, a memoirist. Reflecting is my bread and butter.
The Reverb10 team has gathered a bunch of great authors and asked them each to submit one daily prompt, then left it up to the rest of us to participate however we like. I’m a little late, but here are my answers to the first couple of prompts:
Dec. 1 – 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? (Gwen Bell)
If you’re a regular reader, you know my one little word for the year has been BRAVE. I’ve followed it into a freshman English classroom, to New York in April, to St. Louis in May, and to Boston in August. I’ve followed it through challenges in my personal and professional life, and I’ve been wearing it around my neck on a pendant since May. This year has demanded a lot of me – creatively, personally, emotionally, financially – and I have a feeling it’s not over. I’ll continue to wear the pendant into 2011.
However, as I continue being brave, I think a new word needs to come alongside it, and right now, I think that word is COMFORT. I need to seek ways to create comfort in my life as I’m still adjusting to a new city, searching for a full-time job, enduring my first Northeastern winter, facing so many unfamiliar things. And I also need to get outside of myself and help create comfort for others. I want my life and my house to be a welcoming place, where others can lay down their burdens and rest, and be comforted.
December 2
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing – and can you elimiinate it? (Leo Babauta)
This one’s easy: I spend too much time on Twitter/the Internet, clicking links and searching fruitlessly for inspiration. Twitter has brought me lots of great online (and a few real-life) friends, and sometimes it provides a brilliant creative spark – but I need to know when to get OFF and go somewhere, wash the dishes, or just close down the Internet browser and write, write, write.
I’m still thinking about the Dec. 3 prompt, which asks me to choose and describe a moment this year when I felt most alive. I may wind up writing about more than one. We’ll see.
Are you participating in Reverb10? Whether you are or aren’t, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the prompts above. Share, share!
Oh I hear you on brave! And comfort! Hoping you find that comfort in your new home and that you run into many who could use some comfort. 🙂
I’ve never been able to really get into twitter. I have one, but I just never use it or go on twitter at all. Now facebook on the other hand…I’m a bit of an addict!!
Hope you’re staying warm!
Katie
I hear you on “manifest,” but I’m really loving the excuse to think about these prompts. And comfort, well––you don’t have to sell me on that!
[…] Here are my thoughts on this weekend’s post (if you missed my post about the beginning, you can start there if you […]
[…] in December. I didn’t write about all the prompts, but I found inspiration in several of them. This month’s prompt (they’ll have monthly ones throughout 2011) is: What questions are […]