1/31/2013

Celebrate! One Little Word


"I celebrate myself, and sing myself."
Walt Whitman


"Do we need any other proof of being spiritual-beings, than watching a child grow, and a personality blossom?"  
Fr. Jonathan Morris

I began this post with life affirming quotes from what would appear an odd-fellowship, American poet, humanist and author of the esteemed, Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman, and television personality, Fr. Jonathan Morris, a Catholic priest, spiritual advisor, and author of the best selling book, The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts. 

While one hundred years, life-styles and religious philosophies separate them, the quotes of both men enthusiastically celebrate the human condition. The passages, along with the whimsical photograph of my uninhibited, three-year-old grandson, make me smile!!

All in all, not a bad way to begin :)

In my last post Dancing in the Rain, I made reference to the One Little Word concept of selecting a single word each January to reflect and meditate on throughout the year.  
I stand at the threshold of the new year, in my pink wellies (English rain-boots) and raincoat, umbrella in hand, with a new companion -a new word - CELEBRATE!
As a child of God, created in His image, I am called to walk in His light - to seek out, recognize, and celebrate the good in my earthly life.

I purposefully chose a word that I felt would enrich not only my physical-being (the human condition), but my spiritual-self (soul) as well.  I looked for, and chose a word I believed to be life-affirming.

To this end, I have put forth the following twelve, monthly-intentions beginning with January's Celebration of a New Year, and continuing on with celebrate love, celebrate my faith, celebrate myself, celebrate motherhood, celebrate the earth, celebrate my freedom, celebrate the summer, celebrate God's bounty, celebrate family tradition/ritual, celebrate God's grace, and finally, to prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas.  

I'll be documenting my journey through written word, and photographs in a personal photo/journal inspired by Ali Edward's, One Little Word, prompts.

Pages from the journal will be located in the filmstrip at the top-right hand corner of this blog (click on the film-strip for full-sized, easy to view, copies of the pages).

For more of my OLW story, you're invited to read the short post, Dancing In the Rain,

10 comments:

  1. Really wonderful! Thanks for joining in the hop and I'm looking forward to getting to know you this year, too :) Happy celebrating!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely. The photos really do capture so much of what you're intending for the year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like the idea of facing up to the dangers and going out to dance in the rain anyhow ;) I like wellies & look forward to seeing where your word takes you this year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love your photos - always have. I haven't visited in a while and as always scanned through to see more of your photos and read your post about phoning your daughter - wow! I live thousands of miles from my mum and she never calls me .... but you've reminded me to keep in touch more often. Sorry this isn't related to your OLW post but it is amazing what we find to read on these journeys isn't it. My word is consistent - and perhaps I should add Family to that ... you've reminded me to consistently stay in touch - thank you

    ReplyDelete
  5. Celebrate is a great word - enjoy your year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LOVE LOVE EVERYTHING!!! Your approach to your word, your work, your photography AND your BLOG!!!!! So warm, friendly, happy and inviting!! Look forward to following you this year and getting to know you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful word! Can't wait to see how you celebrate 2013!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Leaves of Grass is one of my favorites so you got me hooked from the beginning, Karen! Monthly intentions seem like a great way to celebrate!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the quotes you used to begin, and thinking of you in your pink wellies (even though I don't know you) made me smile. Looking forward to getting to know you through the hop!

    ReplyDelete