Way back in December 2010, I chose the word DO to be my guiding word for 2011.
Wow.
Who knew how prophetic that choice would be? Over the last few months I've been busy LIVING my DO rather than recording or reporting on it.
A lot got done!

From that first post to now, here is a little update:
Personal DO
UPDATE:
I did download and set up CZ's MMEL program - though I converted mine to a Move More, Eat Better program since eating too much has never been my issue. I did manage to get to the mall 3 or 4 mornings a week and I did my laps with the lovely blue haired ladies, often quicker than me! Now that the weather has improved, I've been walking the perimeter of the kids' school at least four mornings each week. As planned, all of the classics have been loaded onto my iPad; but unplanned, they have not been read. The big personal DO event was a trip to Canyon Ranch in April with my sister, Beth. THAT one event revolutionized my life and provided the catalyst for much needed change.
Creative DO
UPDATE:
I have let go of the "creative" me for the last couple of months. Though my interests remain the same - photos + words - I'm finding my expression of those interests is changing. I have been submitting to, and receiving acceptance for, blog hops and guest articles. It's a lot of fun and I hope to keep doing it. Ideas are percolating and with the upcoming physical changes in my studio I'm curious what I'll manage in the new digs!
Social DO
UPDATE:
I do believe that I have let my friends know they are loved and admired! Not only have I managed to carve out time for lunches and dinners, I've stepped out of my traditional comfort zone and opened myself up to people I didn't know and want to know better. I've truly embraced that the worst that can happen is I hear "no" and that is a risk I'm willing to take. It has been empowering to be forthright and honest with everyone around me. No more pretense or politic. Heavy sigh of contentment.
Spiritual DO
UPDATE:
Though unintentional, the big purge ended up being my old Toshiba laptop which I was using to "house" my old photos and files. Over 30,000 images, two novels, a dozen or so outlines, all my music files, historical information and research was lost when it was tossed in the dumpster. Onward! More intentional was the big purge of everything - every single room - and the realization that the bigger the house the more c.r.a.p. it can contain. So, I purged the house, too.
Family DO
UPDATE:
Keeping in mind that this time is about them, my children, I came to the inevitable conclusion that the best thing for our family was the disolution of it - in the form it was in. So, though my plan was to reduce clutter and focus on the concept of spend less :: do more with time invested on relationships, making memories and embracing downtime, we ended up with no downtime as we got the house ready for sale and planned the big move. My kids continue to introduce changes and challenges every day but they are thriving in this new environment.
Work DO
UPDATE:
Life Is Not A Rehearsal and as much as I thought I was living my life with intention and authenticity, I was not. There was plenty of intention but the authenticity was lacking. I couldn't move forward without dealing with that and I am still in that process. Once I'm on more solid ground, I do plan on using words + photos to make things in an effort to encourage others to embrace intention and authenticity in their own lives with plenty of kindness, love and humour.
. . . . .
And with that, my DO is updated! So much more has been done than originally planned and I am so much happier for the direction my word has taken me.
Is it the word? Did I choose it, or did it choose me? How much power can a simple word have? I suppose it is as effective as I allow it to be. At this stage it is the right choice for right now. So much easier and adaptable than a list of resolutions that would have been quickly left on the wayside as I got on with my life.
My life right now does not look anything like it did six months ago.
I have learned that I am stronger than I thought, kinder than I knew and more risilient than I ever imagined possible. I really can do anything.
And I am.
