Introducing My 2018 One Word

Each new year, words spin around me persuading to me to capture the best of what they have to offer. I choose carefully, knowing that only one word will be a guide on my journey to becoming a better person and fully savoring "life living" moments. 

Since 2014, when I switched from writing a yearly resolution to allowing the power of #oneword to guide my journey, I have been moved by the following words.

Each one of my one words, has provided me with a different lens on life. This year, I ask myself what word would compliment the others. What word would place me on a path to continue to be open, listen more intently, believe in the power of possibilities, and find joy in the ordinary? The word was in front of me, behind me in past encounters, and full of positivity. My #oneword2018 is hope!

The inspirational message on hope that you can find below was given to me when I was in treatment for lymphoma. It is my daily reminder to be open, listen intently to others, strongly believe, and find joy even in the midst of struggles and challenges.  

While this faith message has been with me for over fourteen years, it has surfaced as a thoughtful choice to guide my way this year. Let's see where this word will take me for hope has wings.

Stay tuned for more on my #oneword2018. 

For now, I am joining my writing group,

hosted by Margaret Simon this month.

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SPECIAL NOTICE on the subject of ONE WORDS:

Join #NYEDChat on January 8th. We will discuss #EduBlogging: Power of One Word to Guide Our 2018 Journeys. 

HOME

Home is where our story begins, grows, and is preserved. At this time of the year, when thanksgiving brings families together, my eyes scan this place I call home. Thoughts flood my mind.

HOME

I know it well! 

A feeling of comfort 

fills this house I live in. Sounds and smells

bring back memories of autumn past. I recollect sweet moments
of family life. They flash before me: pumpkin-spiced days filled with faith and hope that blessed my home and insulated us from life's
cold snaps. Fall still lingers in corners of my home. I
uncover worn photos and artifacts tucked away-
reminders that one thought prevails:
home is more than just a house.
©CVarsalona, 2017, Long Island

What is home? 
It's my gathering place,
my collection space, 
brimming with remembrances.
It is the sweet abode
waiting for a new joy to arrive 
- a grandbaby -
so inter-generational love
can thrive again.
©CVarsalona, 2017, Long Island

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As Thanksgiving approaches, I am in the midst of decorating my home inside and outside. I look forward to creating new memories honoring the spirit of family togetherness, for home is the place where my family's hearts will be filled with new life-living moments.

For me, the word HOME ignites a spirit of family togetherness! 

What does it signify to you?

Today is Poetry Friday and Jama Rattigan, the hostess with the mostess is serving coffee, donuts, and poetry for the Poetry Friday Roundup here.

I am also joining the #TeachWrite community this month to write about HOME.

Curve Ball

Has life ever thrown you a curve ball when you least expect it? 

Life is fragile and uncertain and you can't predict when the curve balls come your way. I have seen many a curve ball in my life but this spring into summer has brought a few new ones. Curve ball #1 was thrown out in the late spring just before our first grandchild was to be born. My husband had a horrible case of shingles. The pain was intense and constant, localized around the eyes. The eye specialist and internist wanted him isolated. That news sent shock waves. How would we see our grandchild when she was born? Our faith was tested but we managed to get through that ordeal and travel to see our sweet granddaughter right after she entered the world.

Now, a new crisis has risen. It appeared suddenly and without warning. This time the pain is more excruciating that the shingles virus. It radiated from my husband's lower back and down into his leg that became numb. There have been three days of doctor visits, tests, and no let up in the pain. We are now faced with the reality that my husband may not be able to travel to Cape May for our summer holiday weekend with our grandbaby. 

It is interesting that this week I wrote about life living moments. While this is not a joyful time, it is a real life living moment. Many people experience times of crisis. They are part of life. The hard part is that these moments rob the joy (temporarily). While medical problems are tests of faith, they are also opportunities to work through the struggle. 

I may have sunk into the depths of the muddy water over this matter but I know that this is not where I want to stay. As I searched the internet for positive thoughts, I found this wonderful quote by Maya Angelou that has steered me in the right direction.

Tonight, I decided to celebrate the curve balls in life, rather than feel defeated, using positivity and faith as my lifelines. Reflection and writing seem to be ways for me to rise above the funk. Tomorrow morning starts a new day of hope!

It's time to Celebrate This Week with Ruth Ayres, so I use this post as a guiding piece for a new day. 

Life Living Moments

What is summer without mini-trips to explore nature? During summer months, families enjoy special times. A walk in the sunflower fields, a ferry trip across the Potamac River, and toes dipping in the sand were some of the wonderful memories of summer 2017 I experienced with my own family. I have captured those and invite you to join me as I create my summer gallery of artistic expression, titled Sunkissed Summer. 

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“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the field has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” 

The above quote from 19th Century Italian actress, Eleanor Duse, provides such a positive statement that I decided to use it as a prompt for my thoughts.

If the sun upon flowers in field fills you with joy,

if an oil painting hanging in a museum has power to move you, 

if noticing nature lets your heart rejoice,

your mind wonder,

and your thoughts lifted,

you shall experience "life living" moments

that positively affect your relationships.

©CV, 2017

 

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If you visit "Summerscapes", you will find other life living moments. 

You can access last summer's global gallery of artistic expressions here.

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You can find many more poetry treasures at the Poetry Friday Roundup hosted by our Louisiana host, Margaret Simon, 
at "Reflections on The Teche". Sending birthday wishes to her. 

Note: The term, "life living" moments, was captured from the following tweet from NCFL, National Center for Families Learning.