{a favourite}

The invitation on Day 13 of #reverb12 was to post a favourite photo of yourself, self-portrait or otherwise.  It was a nice opportunity to browse through my Flickr account for a while.  

I had a hard time choosing to be honest.  One of the great things I've discovered through blogging and instagram is a real love of documenting my journey through self-portraiture.  Along with the unexpected joy of ending up with images of myself that I really like.

The one above is a definite favourite from this year.  My beloved Big Cat and I.

{the answer came to me clear as day}

 

In response to today's #reverb12 prompt "What's the one thing you want to take with you into 2013?"

It's an easy one.  My renewed sense of strength, passion and purpose.

{an obvious choice}

#reverb12 today asks "What new skills or talents have you learned or discovered this year?"

This year has taught me so many things, but the new skill that absolutely captured my heart was/is book-binding.

You can see all my book-binding adventures over here on Flickr.

{this artwork, these words}

When I signed up for #reverb12 I thought I'd mostly respond to the prompts in my journal or in my thoughts.  But I've been feeling inspired to share my responses so far.

On Day 2 Kat asked "What was your most significant expenditure in 2012?  It doesn't have to be necessarily the biggest expenditure, just the one with the most impact."

 

 

The painting above was definitely my most significant spend in 2012.  It didn't cost a fortune, but it cost more than I had to spend at the time.  It was an investment in something much bigger than the piece itself.  The beginnings of a realisation that being an artist wasn't enough.  That I needed more.  That I needed to be able to support other artists, that I needed to be able to invest in art, in community, in a life bigger than my own.

Today Cam asked "What is one thing that you really wish to do that you just haven't had the chance to accomplish yet?"

"Not everyone can or will do that - give his specific fears and desires a chance to be of universal significance.  To do this takes a curious combination of humility, excruciating honesty, and (there's the rub) a sense of destiny or of identity.  One must believe that private dilemmas are, if deeply examined, universal, and so, if expressed, have a human value beyond the private..." Journal of a Solitude - May Sarton

 My response to Cam's prompt is in these words.  I wish to make a difference.  I want to use my humanity, my story, my journey as a way to connect with other human beings and be a force for good in the world.  And perhaps I already do.  But I want to do more of it, with more focus and more intent.

I love that a question about where I put my money and what I want to accomplish in my life essentially led me to the same place.  And I'm loving taking this time to reflect and connect the dots.

If you haven't joined in with #reverb12 there's still time.  All the details are here.

{how are you starting?}

I'm joining in with #reverb12 hosted by I Saw You Dancing.  Today's prompt is 'how are you starting this last month of 2012'.

After being inspired by Kate's happy to-do list yesterday, I decided to start the month by writing my own.  December always gets so crazy busy, I figure it will be great to have a reminder of things to do to nurture myself.

Some of the things I wrote on my list:

Flick through a magazine

Cook

Take a bath

Read a good book

Potter in my herb garden

Potter in my studio

Just a few ideas to stave of the crazy.

How about you?  How are you starting the month?  Are you #reverbing?

{if for no other reason than the blog button}

I simply had to sign up for #reverb12.  I had to have that gorgeous CurlyPops designed button sitting on my sidebar.  

In all seriousness though, I also think that Kat is the queen of the soulful prompt and I'm looking forward to her daily dose of inspiration and invitation for reflection and introspection.  

I haven't decided yet whether I'll blog my responses to the prompts, journal them or simply think on them.  Perhaps a combination of all three and maybe some photos and visual journaling as well.

But I'm in.  How about you?