This "Observe" Thing is Hard!

Well, for someone who's supposed to be 'observing' things this year, I'm having a hell of a time keeping my mouth shut! 

 

I guess I don't have to be totally silent but seriously, each time I turn on the news, or read a blog post, or talk with a friend on the phone, all I want to do is chime in. 

 

I am finding it rather hard to observe with out saying how I feel. I guess that's not bad, it is what it is, but I was hoping to observe more while talking less.

 

In my own defense, I am being more observant, but my mind keeps racing with tons of things I want to spurt out - even more so than normal.

 

This year's word is going to challenge me, I can tell already!

 

I'm really glad that Sally, over at The Studio Sublime is continuing on with her Focus On Life photography challenge in 2014.  This photography challenge has helped me focus on life (hence the title. Sally's so clever!) a bit more and I think that's how the word 'observe' found me this year.

 

On Sunday I received my prompt for this week's photo challenge from Sally and as I was out for a walk, looking around and actually 'observing' my surroundings,

I found this little leaf.

 

 

 

I know it's January, but here in the Valley of the Sun, Fall is taking place. Literally. The leaves are finally changing to some beautiful golden colors and orange tones and they're falling off the trees to the point where it looks like a leaf-storm in some areas.  

 

 

Click on Photo To Enlarge these Beautiful Trees.
Photo taken January 1, 2014 - Glendale, Arizona

 

It's beautiful.

 

Anyway, as I was walking and observing my surroundings and taking things in, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and felt so blessed to live where we do.

 

 

 

 

I have sympathy for those of you going through all the snow and ice storms right now and hope you're staying warm and 'hunkering down' and enjoying things the best you can.

 

I hope you'll come back tomorrow - Saturday - and see what Sally's first prompt is for the Focus on Life 2014 photography series!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Observing My Surroundings!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2014!!

I hope everyone had a safe, happy and fun New Year's Eve last night! 

 

Are you watching all the New Year's festivities on T.V. today? 

 

  

What are your New Year's Day traditions?

 

For the last few years, we've spent New Year's with my sister and her family up in the mountains. This year everyone stayed home and we're watching the New Year's Day Parade and just chillin'.

We're also enjoying the sunshine and the fact that we live in a climate where we're not buried under 3 feet of snow and ice. (Sorry to those of you who are suffering through all the cold and icky stuff - you have my sympathy!)

Arizona Sunset Photo by Paul Hindman

 

 

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, 2014 is looking to be a year of change and I've chosen a 'word' for the year and I wanted to share it with you.

 

Actually, this year's word chose me.

 
This past week, as I was giving thought to how 2014 might shape up and what I wanted, this word popped into my head almost immediately.

(much easier and quicker than last year's word!!)

 

My dad used to say all the time to me,...

"Shelly, keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut!" 

 

Yeah - that's always been a really hard one for me. 

 

I'm a bit 'wordy', if you haven't noticed!

So, when this word hit me,
I knew it was for a reason.

And for once, I was ready to listen.

 

 

My word for 2014 is: 

 

Observe:

 

1: to inspect or take note of; to take notice 

2:  to watch carefully, especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment

3: to make a scientific observation on or of 
(how fitting w/our environmental business!!)

4:  to come to realize or know especially through consideration of noted facts

5: to make observations; to watch
 

 

I would like to observe things more closely this year.

To take things in, to learn, to see, to observe and absorb with my heart and my head, the world around me. 

 

To observe things allows me to grow and learn.

When I observe things, it makes it easier to write about them with an open mind.

Observing my students and listening to their needs makes it easier to teach my jewelry classes and write tutorials.
(Which I still plan to do in 2014)

And, I'm certain that the more I observe things happening in our environmental business and IAQ industry, I will learn and grow in this area as well.

 

 

So, what's on your plate for 2014? 

 

Do you choose a 'word' for the year?

 

Please share your word and reasoning behind it if you do, I'd love to listen!

 

I'm wishing you all a very Happy New Year! 

 

May you and your loved ones be blessed with good health and much happiness in 2014!

 

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Observing the New Year!

Cheers,

~Shel~

*Arizona Sunset photo by Paul Hindman
All other photos by me. :-)