~Mary Oliver
I bring you this, just in case you have not yet discovered the powerful poetry of Mary Oliver.
A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. Inspired by Soulemama. 
Please feel free to share your photographic moments, leave a link in the comments section for all to find and see.
I love the process of setting an intention for the New Year, thinking on all the ways I can better focus my energy in the coming days. Playing with words that inspire me until I come up with the one that sings to me the most. Choosing a word, MY WORD for the coming year. This year, after a week of uncertainty (and much considering of the usual suspects – love, joy, peace), the word that I am hearing again and again is S A V O U R.
I want to slow down, observe, linger (without getting stuck), and SAVOUR the moments in my day, savour this time in my life. This year I will turn fourty and that seems like a milestone, it also seems like time is speeding up. My kids are growing up faster, the days are passing more quickly and life seems to be getting busier. By making a conscious effort to BE in each moment, I hope to slow things down a bit. At the very least, I know that savouring each moment will help me find the peace and joy I yearn for (if only in those moments of conscious intention). One can also hope, that it will help me to slow down a bit too, to be present…..
By savouring my food I hope to eat better (and perhaps less), by savouring my time with my kids I hope to connect more deeply, have more fun and less resentment of the me-time I am not getting, similarly I hope to savour every moment of me-time I do get (and use it to its fullest). When the sun shines out in the middle of a cloudy day, I want to get outside and savour it. After reading this fantastic book by Karen Maezen Miller, I am almost convinced that doing laundry can be enjoyed if it is savoured, so I will even give that a try! With more certainty, I know that a day that starts with time to savour my morning cup of tea is going to be a good one. To solidify my intention for 2013, the next chunk of time I get in my studio I will create a SAVOUR art piece (and you can bet I will be enjoying every moment I am working on it).
Dear friends, I hope that this new year provides you with the inspiration to choose your own intention (so much more juicy than a resolution don’t you think?). For more ideas on choosing your own mantra for 2013, check out this post by Ali Edwards. There really is such big power in one little word. What word speaks to you? Make a choice and make a wish!
P.S. When I found this 52 Photos Project post the other day, it was another sign that “savour” is calling to me right now. I thought you too might be interested in a weekly photo prompt to help you savour the moments (and I just realized that the Soulemama this moment project I participate in also refers to savouring the moment). I guess my art (photography) is already SAVOURing so I am on the right path! Here’s to more of the same…..
A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. Inspired by Soulemama. 
Please feel free to share your photographic moments, leave a link in the comments section for all to find and see.
This morning I woke after a lovely long sleep (yes, I was tucked in bed at 9:30 last night) to sunshine outside my window! After days of grey and rain, I took this as a welcome omen of the brand new year to come. A whole new year of possibility, of growth….the coming days seem so shiny and bright (especially when the sun is shining and I have a good night’s sleep under my belt). I began the day with my book and my tea and then a walk and a pause at the beach. Listening to the calm around me, wishing for the calm I was feeling to last into the coming year. I returned home to find my family busy with a bonfire, burning some of the Christmas paper. Now, I admit, I had asked them to recycle it. However, I too was drawn to the idea of burning away the old. I wrote down a list of “stuff” I want to let go of and threw it into the flames and released it all. My eldest joined me in doing this and also wanted to send a wish for 2013 into the fire, to help bring it to light. So we did that too, it seemed a natural and positive progression from the release. I wrote down my wishes and my word for the year (more on that soon) and felt a spark ignite deep within. I am so hopeful that this year will be amazing and so thankful that I am sharing it with such an amazing family.
Wishing you and yours all the best for 2013.
P.S. I love the New Year’s traditions of cleansing and purifying for the coming year, of a fresh start. I have to admit I did not clean the whole house, but I did put a dent in it. The bathrooms and bedding are clean and I can see a couple tabletops. I thought about taking the Polar Bear plunge while sitting by the sea, but had not come prepared for a dip. Instead, after our cleansing bonfire, I enjoyed a refreshing Polar Bear Shower in my new outdoor shower (built by my amazing hubby, yes the water is heated). How do you like to start out a brand new year? I would love to hear about your traditions.