Reverb 12: Days 4 - 6

Continuing with Reverb '12 ... Days 4 - 6 with Kat @ I Saw You Dancing.

I've got a special treat for you ... the brushes I made for my Day 5 image. Click here to download the gradient footprints and the quotation.

Day 4: How are you going to celebrate your self this festive season?

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: partings, poetic

Some years ago, my son Phillip said something quite profound, "No one can be a better me than me." It struck me then and I remember now. I may not be perfect, but others cannot step into my shoes to be me and if they tried, they couldn't do as well as I do. I say this in all modesty as I am my own worst critic. Mr. Critic stands on my shoulder all too often.

The word for this season is simplicity. I'm not even sure I will decorate. I will make a turkey and we'll see who comes to share it with me. However it all works out, I will be me. I will relax and enjoy movies, books, and my photo processing. That's how I plan to celebrate me this season.

Day 5: What was your dream destination in 2012 and why? It can be a town, city, country or region -- real or imaginary -- and doesn't matter if you actually got there or not!

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: paper4, felicity, happyheart

My destination was not a place and not even a state of being I set out to reach--self-discovery. I would have to say I began the year with a destination of getting employed and not much else. Although I did find a job quickly, it was not a good fit, and I determined moving on was the best for all involved. So I began the job search again. As I submitted resumes I also increased my skills in Photoshop and InDesign along the way since I had time to devote to self-education.

Although I hadn't set out this way, I believe my destination was to find healing and balance through my creativity. Thanks to Kim Klassen I found the vehicle: Beyond Layers and Behind the Scenes. I've learned so much about post-processing my photographs. Her courses are so much more than the how-to of it. Her courses are about discovery, growth, awareness, and perpetual learning. As I proceed with Reverb '12, I find myself creating new artistic pieces with the techniques I've learned over the past year.

I also continued to write. I've kept up my blog for over a year now--started in September 2011--and have reached 185 posts. In the process, I have walked several paths ... I started out wanting this space to be a place to showcase my design work. It quickly moved to a place I shared my photography and post-processing as I learned from Kim. At some point I found myself enjoying sharing some stories from my dog's perspective--Tales from Kobi. He could tell some things better than I. ;-> I started a link up called Walk and Click Wednesdays to inspire others to discover the world around them by getting out for a walk and take pictures. It's nice to have some company while I do so and discover different parts of the this earth. And now I am on a journey of reflection and contemplation with Reverb '12.

As we all know, balance and healing are never a final destination, but an ongoing journey. I am pleased that I have discovered things that bring me joy.

Day 6: What did you learn? Compare the “you” from the beginning of 2012 to the “you” that you are now. What new skills or talents have you learned or discovered this year?

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen: theladder, siennasample, xanthescripted

Texture thanks to Shadowhouse Creations: Raised-effect 2

Elegant Frame Brush thanks to Diana's Creations/Dianaz Designz

I found this quote recently that seemed to speak to exactly where I am right now. Searching for what's next. Waiting. Beginning a journey that has yet to be formed. I find myself "in the meantime," that place Iyanla Vanzant speaks of in her books, In the Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love You Want and Living in the Meantime: Learning to Break the Patterns of the Past and Begin the Healing Process. She talks about cleaning out the cobwebs and finding love in unexpected places.

I have had that experience this year. A former husband who helped me financially when my back was against the wall. Friends who continued to listen even when the story got old. I found a community of friends through Flickr and Kim Klassen's followers with whom I have the love of photography and post-processing in common. And my One Little Word, abundance, took on new meaning as I manifested simple things like a swing and a half dozen three ring binders for free in addition to the bigger things aforementioned. I'm working on being comfortable in the in between.

And not that I haven't known this, but I love to learn. I take on new projects, using techniques that push my envelope. Although I like a certain amount of routine, I can't do the same thing day in and day out, year after year. It might appear that I do, but I need variety to keep me engaged. I like to know what to expect, but also like to be open to the new, the exciting, the different. I need lots of time alone, but I also have a social side. I call it balance, but others may find me confusing. What I know for sure is this is me.

I'm looking forward to discovering where the path will take me ... what experiences I will have on this new journey. I am willing and able.

I suppose it is time to close this tome of a post. If you made it this far, you deserve a medal! Thanks for sticking with me.

Don't forget to download the brushes I made for my Day 5 image. Click here to download the gradient footprints and the quotation.

Wishing you all a great day!