2010
Posted on | January 2, 2010 | 15 Comments
I like the way the world looks now: tender, undercover, monochrome. I like the way this month starts off in sleep: the longest nights, the shortest days. I like the way we hurtle down hillsides on sleds; the way driving home from a New Year’s Day party with friends we saw five trees illuminated by the light of a car dealership, each branch crowded with the black silhouettes of sleeping crows.
I like how anything can happen before it does, now, at the beginning of a new year; and also looking back, considering the pulse and tremolo of the year gone by.
I like how it’s always possible to feel at the cusp of something grand at the start of a new year. Like there’s a chance for anything to happen, and everywhere all over the world people are throwing themselves towards their lives with renewed gusto.
People are picking words, and I like that. Looking back, I’d like to say that last year’s word was cocoon, because it was a dreamy, blurry, nestled year of slow motion, present tense stumbling; of new baby love and making ends meet. It was a domestic year. A quiet year. A year of sustaining; of inward growing. Now I’m ready for real action.
I want accomplishment and tangible returns. I want the satisfaction of crossing things off my list. Some years I’ve had heady, dreamy goals. This year it’s all about the down-to-earth and practical. It’s about getting things done. Enough of next year and sometime and when the time is right.
It’s the beginning of a decade. Time to get things started off on the right foot.
Non-negotiable: Financial stability, daily joy, and finishing my novel manuscript. The rest I’ll put up on this year’s list at the end of the month.
What is non-negotiable for you this year?
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15 Responses to “2010”
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I am Christina Rosalie
Hello. I'm so happy you've stopped by!
I am a multimedia storyteller, digital strategist, idea starter, stalker of wonder, finder of four leaf clovers, MFA graduate student, and mama of boys. My first book,
will be published by SKIRT! Books in September, 2012.
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January 2nd, 2010 @ 8:13 pm
You totally inspire me esp. with your writing and running and the raising of your sons! I hope to be able to run 6 miles by october, that’s one of my goals. I have never run more than 4.5 before! I am not a fast runner either, want to improve that. I have many goals this year, but mostly I just want to be present in my life and live it with much more positive outlooks and feeling. Life is so crazy sometimes it’s hard to stop and actually take it all in……..here is to a great 2010 for both of us!!! keep inspiring me! ThANK YOU!
tara
January 2nd, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
Go go go! I can feel the inspiration coming off of you in WAVES! Yeah!
January 3rd, 2010 @ 4:20 am
I have not stopped to contemplate what is not negotiable for me yet. I have been busy celebrating and catching up with daily tasks. I will post about it soon! I love this post though~it seems like everyone has an air of anticipation for this new decade. I think that the blue moon helped with that. Happy New Year! Thank you for your inspiration in your words.
January 3rd, 2010 @ 4:24 am
yea for you!! so happy you have come into your own!
for me … to be in a better mood daily.
January 3rd, 2010 @ 4:11 pm
Non-negotiable this year for me: taking care of us. I’m pregnant with my first child. My balance is going to have to change, is already changing. Other things have to give, and I have some tough decisions to make. I am determined that those decisions will be centered around taking care of us, our little family.
January 4th, 2010 @ 10:43 am
Non-negotiable for this year? My oldest son is expecting his first-born child. My granddaughter will arrive in March, and I am beyond thrilled.
I like your word for the new year Christina. My previous years words were “health”, “accomplish”, and now for 2010, “Embrace”.
I love your words — the way you describe the new year, and all the feelings it brings, is exactly how it is. Amazing how you do that!
January 4th, 2010 @ 6:58 pm
Wow…never heard that question exactly that way before. I’ve already spent almost 10 minutes thinking about my answer…THAT’S A HARD QUESTION TO ANSWER! I like it–it really puts things into perspective. I’ll have to answer that later. My word is CHOOSE. Because in every situation I CAN choose…how to let myself feel, how to react, what to do next, what to say, what not to say, what to eat, how to spend my minutes. Even if I didn’t choose the circumstances I can choose how to let them affect me. (Maybe one of my non-negotiables should be to once & for all learn when to use “effect” & when to use “affect.”) You seem very happy in this post…GOOD FOR YOU!!!
January 4th, 2010 @ 8:44 pm
Happy New Year! Non-negotiable: getting my chapbook of poems published. To get healthier.
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
Non-negotiables: 1.to re-establish my spiritual routine & include my children, 2. overcome my disabling odd fears (like my fear of our financial strain makes me sick to my stomach so I AVOID knowledge of our finances! fear of working through the uncertainties of job options prevents me from even trying the ideas, etc…), and 3. embracing with full acceptance and joy the chaos of motherhood & thereby moving closer to living my parenting ideals. Hm. Thanks for that question–it feels like it was a real blessing to me.
January 7th, 2010 @ 6:33 am
Not to burn out! Not to continue being a workaholic…to enjoy the work I invest myself in.
I’m ready to see your illuminating lights shining, woman!
xo p
January 8th, 2010 @ 1:27 am
Good question! Since I’m turning 40 this year, I feel like it’s time to get serious… I like your word, ACTION. I’ve spent too much time second-guessing myself and worrying about failing, so I tend to stop myself before I ever get started. So, what’s non-negotiable? Moving forward, becoming a better photographer, and living authentically. I’ve committed to the Shutter Sister 365 Project, which has already been a great kick in the pants. Best of luck with your non-negotiables in the new year!
January 23rd, 2010 @ 12:17 pm
Saw your blog bookmarked on Digg.
June 3rd, 2010 @ 11:28 pm
[...] Somehow my life has moved away from this drastically. The past several months have been about chin up, mind over matter, power through it, action. [...]
January 3rd, 2011 @ 12:18 am
[...] Last year my word was action. [...]
January 4th, 2012 @ 3:22 pm
[...] 2010 I chose action; for 2011, fruition, and each word speaks more truth about its year than I could have ever [...]