Hello, Inspiration Archives

Reflecting on a ‘Vibrant’ Year

December 31, 2012 by Farewell Stranger ·

As I sit here on New Year’s Eve I’m thinking back to the one word I chose for 2012.

Skating on New Year’s Eve

VIBRANT

Actually, as I mentioned in that original post, the word chose me. I knew it was the right word because there were things about it that spoke to my hopes and dreams for the year, but my word was born of its own volition in the newness of the year. It chose to come into my life and my job was to nurture it.

I’m not entirely sure I did my word justice this year, to be honest. And yet I’m pleased with what I brought into this year and what this year brought me.

One of the reasons I felt “vibrant” was the right word for me for this last year was that I wanted to have another baby. It turns out my word took that challenge seriously and we knew before January was through that Ethan would be joining us this year.

New life. That was enough vibrance even without anything else happening.

But the process of bringing that new life into being left me feeling decidedly less than vibrantly alive. Between antenatal depression and morning sickness, that pregnancy nearly killed my spirit. As a result, I didn’t do as much as I had hoped over the course of the year.

At this time last year we had only just moved here and I had grand visions of all the things we would do over the course of the year. I was especially excited — having moved from the one part of Canada that doesn’t really get any winter to speak of — about all the winter activities we could do. But the first few months of pregnancy had other ideas and before I knew it we were into summer and two straight months of temperatures so hot I could barely stand it.

There were many times this year when I did not feel vibrant.

But the word chose me for a reason and I accepted it into my life. I had it put on a ring that I wore every day (at least until I had to get my wedding ring cut off and then I didn’t dare risk losing another precious ring). The word was always there – literally in front of my face and never far from my thoughts.

And when I reflect back on 2012, I realize my word was in fact made manifest this year. This past year has been full. I have embraced the new and held on to what’s dear from before and in doing so I have felt alive.

Vibrant, even.

Cheers to the old year and welcome to the new.

Filed Under: Hello, Inspiration · Tagged With: favourite activities, gratitude, living life, One word

No Rest for the Wicked

December 27, 2012 by Farewell Stranger ·

When I put “get some form of exercise for 30 days straight” on my life list I didn’t expect anyone to call me on it. I guess that’s what happens when you post something like that on the Internet.

I originally put this on my list because I thought it would be a fun challenge, not necessarily because I needed the push. I was pretty active – I ran regularly for several years and, even after thinking I’d die doing my first 10K, actually completed three half-marathons.

I was active during my first pregnancy and after I had my first baby too. And then less so when I went back to work after my year of maternity leave. Then last January I got pregnant with my second, did two workouts after which I was unbelievably sick, and barely got my heart going again for nine months.

That second baby is now almost three months old, and it’s almost January. What that really means is that it’s the season of baking and chocolate and indulgence, and my mid-section is feeling it. So I signed myself up for a couple of classes in January and figured I’d do my best to get active again.

And then I got a text from a friend. “Number 52! You and me and January!!”

I had no idea what she was talking about, and she wouldn’t tell. “You’re smart – you’ll figure it out,” was her response to my “huh?” reply.

I did figure it out. Number 52: get some form of exercise for 30 days straight. So we’re on. And she’s already sending me ideas and questions like, “What do you think is most likely to derail you?” and “Do you want to create an exercise plan or do you want to wing it?” Apparently I’m going to have to be accountable for this…

Just a few more days to get psyched up for this. Wish me luck.

Filed Under: Hello, Inspiration · Tagged With: #30DaysStraight, Life list

Join Me in a Photo Farewell to 2012

December 26, 2012 by Farewell Stranger ·

Christmas is over (whew!) and now it’s time for one of the parts of the year I like best – saying goodbye to the old and preparing to welcome the new. The combination of reminiscing and getting a clean slate is the best.

Last year at the end of the year I said farewell to 2011 in photos. I invited other bloggers to join me and many did, and I enjoyed the look back at the year in the pictures we shared.

It seems counterintuitive that a post with one photo per month could sum up a whole year, but it it forces us to focus on the big moments and the things we want to remember. The way our children looked in January. The holiday in July. Where we are now, in the final month of the year.

What was important about 2012 for you? What images would you choose to represent your moments?

I’d love it if you’d look back with me.

Pick one picture for each month of the year (you can focus on the memories or the photography – it’s up to you.) Then grab the button (code is in the right sidebar), post, and link up with me to say farewell to 2012 in photos.

The link-up will be live from December 28 through January 4. On January 5, one linker will be chosen to receive a package from Little Love Media that includes a blog evaluation report and a blog strategy. (Huge thanks to Alison for supporting this!)

Filed Under: Hello, Inspiration, Photos · Tagged With: blogging, community, perspective, photos

Trust Your Struggle

November 14, 2012 by Farewell Stranger ·

I was browsing through my “Get Inspired” Pinterest board and came across this image. (Sadly, I don’t know the original source so can’t credit it.)

Trust your struggle.

I pinned it a year ago, according to the site. I was momentarily surprised when I saw that, because that was a few months after my darkest days. But that actually makes sense, because we can’t see the good in the bad when we’re in the dark. In those moments it’s just awful and overwhelming and all-consuming. When we’re really struggling, it’s almost impossible to think that we’ll be better for it.

During my darkest days, someone told me I would be grateful for my experience once I was past it. I didn’t agree then. I couldn’t see it. But it was true.

Some of the most inspiring (and inspired) people I know survived some sort of horrible experience and learned to love the lessons in it. Some found strength they didn’t know they had. Some appreciate life after loss. Some found their calling or figured out what’s really important to them.

My darkest days feel very long ago. Not that I haven’t struggled since then, but I have perspective now that I didn’t before and I don’t think I will ever sink so low again. And I have the lessons and the love from that experience.

I learned a lot from my struggle. I didn’t trust it at the time, but I can see it now, and I expect there are still blessings to be unveiled.

There’s beauty in the breakdown.

Trust your struggle.

Filed Under: Happy things, Hello, Inspiration, Postpartum depression · Tagged With: gratitude, hope, perspective

Pride and Potential

October 19, 2012 by Farewell Stranger ·

Honour your children, they suggested. Share how they make you proud.

Easy peasy, as Connor likes to say. (He stole my expression.)

He’s always up for anything involving construction paper and crayons.

“What are you good at?” I asked.

He didn’t hesitate in his answer.

I’m good at building LEGO.

He’s so good at LEGO it actually freaks me out a little bit. He’s going to be smarter than I am. He might be already. He’s good at a lot of things, but the confidence he gets from LEGO is a joy to see. He can do it well and he knows it. And I’m glad he knows it.

“What else are you good at?”

I thought his answer might be painting. (“I have paint all over my hands because I’m an artist like my dad,” he told me the other day.) Or baking. There are lots of things he could have chosen.

I’m good at cleaning up my toys.

But he chose this. It’s his job and he does it (though he occasionally complains about it, and fair enough). But he does a darn good job of cleaning up his toys.

“What’s something about you that makes you really nice?” Last question.

I help you change the baby.

He thought for a split second. Helping change the baby is not just something he likes to do, it’s something he does because he wants to be helpful. And I so admire that about him. He’s a really good big brother.

And then there’s the baby. What to say about the one I’ve only known for a couple of weeks but who has changed my worldview? If life is made up of a series of steps along a path leading us to who we are meant to be, he is a significant one in mine. In him lies so much potential.