The connections between and among women
are the most feared, the most problematic,
and the most potentially transforming force on the planet.
Creativity is just connecting things. . . .
. . . Learn how to see. Realize that everything
connects to everything else.
Christine Valters Paintner, Words of the Heart, 2011 Wordle
Used With Permission
(To enlarge the word cloud, click on the image.)
As she did in 2010, when she issued her first "Give Me a Word" post, Christine Valters Paintner of Abbey of the Arts issued an invitation at the start of this New Year to "allow a word to choose you which you might live into for the coming year." After receiving responses from more than 300 visitors to the Abbey, Christine created and posted the Wordle, or word cloud, shown above. The word size, as Christine explains here, is proportional to the number of times a word was selected (phrases that were offered are shown as hyphenated words).
Last year, I chose the word reach, and I think I satisfied the many meanings that word held for me.
For 2011, I have selected the word connections, which seems not only the natural result of the reaching out I did throughout 2010 but also an expression of my belief in possibilities and opportunities.
Take a minute and sit with the image. Is there a word there that "speaks" to you, that might prompt you to challenge, inspire, refresh, and nourish yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually throughout the year? I'd love to know: What's your word for 2011?
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11 comments:
Love this. And love the word you chose, and those quotations you chose and connected! I did pause to consider my word, and it had come to me in the middle of last year, but now I will pay attention to it as I begin this year and live into it, as you suggest! Thank you.
I don't have a word...I've never done the choose-a-word at the beginning of the year. I love the idea though, and I love your word. In this techno-world, it's sometimes a struggle to make genuine connections. Focusing on that word will help bring depth to your relationships, both online and in person.
Happy New Year to you, Maureeen!
I love the wordle! My two words for this year are Hallelujah and Temenos. This is my 10th year of choosing, or being chosen by, a word and the last three years have found two demanding their places on the front and back of my journal.
May all our words bring us insight, inspiration and new connections.
Excellent choice, Maureen.
I'm not sure what I choose, but I have some concepts right now...we'll see!
This isn't something I've ever done ... but it seems your word fits you to a "T".
The word that chose me this year is: Renewal.
I forgot to post my word at Christine's place -- and was delighted, and relieved, to see it in the wordle!
Great word for you -- connections. It is what you create in so many ways.
What a great way to let a word choose you! I love the Wordle!
You and I live the same word.
It's so neat that you connected last year with this year's word -- esp. in the context of posibilites and opportunities.
So glad you shared this to the Faith Barista jam. I feel connected to you, as we step out with our one words in 2011.
I enjoy your brews every time you serve them, Mo.
Love it here.
The word cloud itself, as a single representation, seems such a wise and total vision of how - if only we could - we seem to know we should live our lives.
Nobody on the internet represents "connection" better than Maureen Doallas. Nopbody.
It's a perfect choice.
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