Saturday
Jan302010
Mind games
January 30, 2010 
Do you remember what most people were doing and talking about at the end of the year, as 2010 approached, and even for a while after that? Resolutions, that’s what. Everywhere I went people were talking about and making resolutions. I don’t make resolutions, because I would inevitably fail to keep my resolutions and who needs to be a failure? I sure don’t.
But then I started reading about people choosing a single word or a phrase upon which to focus during the year, either for their personal life or for their photography or both. So I thought to myself, “Self! You can do that! You can pick a word to focus on throughout the year.” And so I thought about it for a few days and came up with the perfect word. It was so perfect that I did the happy dance (yes, I was all by myself at the time). And then the next day. . . I . . .forgot the word. Completely. Forgot. The. Word. I wracked my brain trying to remember what that darned word was and I failed completely. Failed! After one day! And it wasn’t even a resolution! Mind games, I tell you. . .and mine was playing tricks on me. Obviously, whatever the word was, it wasn’t the perfect word after all.
Back to the drawing board I went. It obviously had to be a word that I would remember and could remember, but what?? What was that elusive and perfect for me word?
As I was making the rounds of blog visits and reading the words that other people were choosing, I kept thinking how cool or how perfect or how inspiring this word or that word was. But I didn’t want to copy what someone else was doing; I wanted the word to be personal to me. I said a few words out load – that’s part of my process. . .saying them out loud – but didn’t think I’d be able to remember them, they just weren’t the right word. And then it dawned on me. . .
Remember. That would be my word for the year. I obviously need to work on improving my memory. I also want to “remember” – I want to capture my life events with my camera so that I have a visual reminder of something special, something ordinary, something simple, something beautiful, or something that is. . .well, you get the idea. Whether it is something funny that my dogs do or spending time with my grown up kids or something fleeting like the beauty of a rose or a frost covered leaf, I want to capture it and remember.
I remember this past Christmas while my family was home, my son and daughter-in-law and I went for a walk along the bike path around town. They were walking arm-in-arm a little bit ahead of me – I had paused a moment to get that classic image of them walking away. I snapped a few frames when all of a sudden my daughter-in-law starts to skip, that happy carefree skip of youth. And then my son joined in, skipping right in step with his bride, like the joy-filled little boy that I remember. That image of the two of them skipping arm-in-arm is something I want to remember for the rest of my life.
Remember. It’s perfect for me. I’m so glad I forgot what that original word was.
(Pssst! I have “remember” written down on a sticky note on my laptop. . .you know. . . just in case. Now I can’t forget! . . .unless Buster eats the sticky note. . .)
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PS. I also remember last month before the holidays when Marcie and I were exchanging emails. Almost as an afterthought she posed a question and I answered “yes!” The emails started flying, a name was chosen, a site designed, more emails to 13 other wonderful women. I remember the trepidation that Marcie shared with me over her first post. I remember the questions the other ladies had about lots of little different things. And now, a month and a half after our initial flurry of emails, we’ve completed our first rotation here at Vision and Verb. I remember thinking at the start of all this that we could have something really special here. I hope you agree that we do.
Reader Comments (26)
No one is ever to old to skip.
We (me my husband and our youngest son) always tease our oldest son by skipping across the car-park at motorway service stations, one of those little family jokes, that runs and runs (or should it be skips along?)Our eldest is and always has been very embarrassed by our behaviour and refuses to be seen with us! May be he has a point!
Love the little hop-skip you captured. So full of youthful joy and exuberance...and so wonderful that you now have a picture of it that will stay with you (and them) forever. 'Remember' is such a perfect word. In so many ways..it's why we do what we do - to 'remember' our lives...to have images to remind us of those little moment we'd otherwise (and especially as we get to that certain age) forget. Your words made me smile and laugh...thank-you!!!
First of all, Toni, the image itself is a sort of mind game. It's one of those serendipitous moments so rarely captured. I love it. You WILL remember it forever.
Secondly, I was chuckling/smiling/laughing all the way through this post. The same thing happened to me...I KNEW I had a phrase to be my mentor this new year: Nooit Volmaakt = Never Perfect/Finished (the name of our backyard windmill here in Holland). But for the life of me, I could't remember what it was all last week. Then suddenly I remembered. HA! It's so frustrating to forget but then when I suddenly remember, I start laughing. Thank you for letting me realize this is common to our humanity (if not age!).
Re the P.S.: you and Marcie have been incredible "instruments" for the orchestration of this new site. It has been a total joy to behold. Thank you.
I was going to do a 365 project, but I couldn't "remember" to take a photo each day. There are countless ways one could interpret the word "remember," so I think you have selected a word rich with opportunities.
Your son and daughter-in-law will look back years from now and smile while remembering moments like skipping youthfully and joyfully down the sidewalk.
And, P.S.: Thank you once again. The vision you and Marcie had for this blog has come to reality. By all counts (the posts, the visits, the comments, etc) the blog does indeed seem to be special. Vision and Verb is my first stop on my morning "blog jog."
Oh, this is something really special here, you're right :) I love your post. Remember. Perfect. I have a feeling you won't forget.
a post to remember! i love the photo, capturing a moment that sweet is always such a gift.
That photo is mesmerising :-) This post made me smile because I always have to write things down so I don't forget them. Then I have to remember where I leave my list of things to be remembered.
The first image I see this morning is this lovely skipping image, and skipping through obviously cold air, when I would be running to get inside! Full of such joy. And re: the word. I always let it choose me - I start paying attention sometime in November or December - what do I want, what do I need, what words keep cropping up in conversations and books that I notice over & over? This year it was "navigate", and Vision & Verb has been part of that. A road I didn't expect to travel, indeed a road I didn't know was there. It has been wonderful to begin this journey with all of you and many many thanks for your hard work, and to Marcie, thank you for asking the question to which Toni said yes.
:) Debi
YES! Something so very special! I love your story and that you shared such an important memory.
Toni, thank you, thank you, thank you ... and that goes to Marcie too and everyone else here. This is a most special place you've created for all of us. I love the word idea and as I am often late to the party, I shall start tomorrow, February 1. I think I'll spend a few days noticing words and see what happens. I'll be sure to report back in a follow up post. That's the beauty of all of this, you don't have to wait for a special day, you can always just start today!
Much love
Kath
I absolutely LOVE v&v! and I better start working on my memory now so that I can remember those important things. ;)
lovely image of your son and daughter-in-law. my daughter is always skipping and it's so beautiful to watch happiness explode in such a way.
one love.
Oh Toni, when I saw your photo I said aloud, 'They're SKIPPING!". What a fun and sweet capture of your son and daughter-in-law!! And a great word to follow on your journey this year. I'lm enjoying V & V, keep up the good work!
Awesome word...and seems just perfect for you. My word for 2010 is "joy"...and your picture just embodies that work. Skipping arm in arm is just joyous!
I love the photo Toni. And thank you for letting me a part of this collaboration.
Lovely Post Toni, and I love the picture. Thank you and Marcie for Vision & Verb and letting me join. I learn a lot, because I am not used to the 'verb' part and I don't think I can blame it on language-issues.
Oh Toni, this is both hilarious and poignant all at once. I adore that you captured them in this wonderful moment of skipping arm in arm. I love that you have such a great sense of humour and that you shared this delightful series of events with us.
Love this Toni. Remember is perfect and the photo is great too!
That photo illustrates exactly what skipping does to the spirit...it makes it fly.
I totally understand that 'forgetting' business,too. Something is there one minute and in the next second, it's gone.
Congratulations! V and V is a great idea. This Farmergal, who owns only a little digital camera is beginning to crave a real camera. Also, I am pleased to say my son is taking a few classes on photography. He has fallen in love with photography, and I couldn't be happier.
It is a special (and fun) place. I so identified with your post. I did the very same thing at the beginning of the year--visiting blogs, seeing what word people chose--thinking, "Wow, that's a cool word, I wish I'd have thought of that one." But you thought of one!!!!! And a good one! I never did...now I want yours, too :) But I won't borrow it, I think I shall go wordless and resolutionless this year...maybe if I start now I can come up with one for 2011.
Great photo and especially goes well with your post.
One never gets to old to skip. Remember is a very good choice of word. I also use my camera to remember as well as an outlet of creativity.
oh such a well written thoughts toni...and a fabulous imag to match!
I couldn't remember the word I had chosen, either. So, I thought I would choose a different one every week. Maybe that would help me remember. Nope. How about one word a day?? Sigh. Needless to say, my word is 'wordless.'
Oh yes, something very special indeed.
i'd love to concentrate on a word...one thing to really focus on. i have to think of this, maybe whilst i'm away :) - my head is full of so many at the moment. going to see my oldest dearest friend, she and i will sit on her veranda, drink copious amounts of wine no doubt...and have many words to say. i haven't seen her for 8 years! 'memories' is going to be a good word for the next week i think, and lots..and lots of laughter :)
well this is a delightful image and a very important word! remember to be thankful, remember that life is short, remember to remember what is good:)