Explore....

I was catching up on some blog reading in the first few days of the year, after all the crazy Christmas trading had me working more hours, and I came across a blog post by tinniegirl that got me thinking. In it she mentioned about her "word for the year" and I remembered how she had written this post the year before about the same thing. I briefly sat back and thought, what would my word be for the year, if I were to choose one. Immediately the word "explore" popped into my mind. Now, I'm not one to usually get into this sort of thing, so it was a little weird that any word at all would come to mind.

Over the next few days this word kept entering my head, so I let it, and I think it really does encapsulate all of the intentions I have for 2012. So, I'm going to lay it all out here, and give me some accountable record I can look back on over the year and see how it's all going. Just indulge me here won't you?!

I want to explore new crafts, and rediscover some old ones. I think knitting in particular, crochet didn't quite feel right in my hand. I also want to explore the silversmithing class I looked into briefly last year (or the year before??).

I want to explore new directions for my crafts. Maybe more retail outlets or even a bigger market environment, one with a bit more exposure (and where people are willing to pay more!).

I want to explore new friendships, and put myself out there a bit more. It's hard to make new friends at 36!

I want to literally explore more of this country! I do have plans for a trip to Melbourne this year (yeh Melbourne bloggers, look out!) but there are also places only a short drive away that I haven't been to yet.

I want to explore more options for my health. I need to stop living in denial so much and make a real effort, a real change. No one but me can do this, and I need to do it now.

I need to explore "yes". Not later, not tomorrow, not another day. Yes. Let's do that now. This one has been sitting quite close on my heart this last few days in particular. One of the roads I travel on up to 10 times a week heading to and from work claimed a life in a very tragic traffic accident. It happened only an hour before I was on it, heading home from work. She too was heading home, to the same suburb I live in, to a child the same age as mine, and this has left me feeling quite upset. I've lived with the knowledge that my illness will probably take my life, but there are still so many unexpected circumstances that can take it all away anyway. So no more "tomorrow", I need to say yes today.

So thank you Cathy, you somehow always manage to put the right post up at the right time for me, whether I tell you that or not. Here's to exploring all that this year has to offer!

xx

image from here