Choosing my Word for the Year using Desert Wisdom Cards — Part I

Desert Wisdom Cards Set III

Desert Wisdom Cards © 2014 Bo Mackison

Every year for the last six years i have chosen a word for the coming year – a word to guide me, inspire me, encourage me.

In choosing a word for the coming year, I first looked up my words I’ve chosen the last six years – Show Up, Balance, Possibilities, Weaving, Soul-centered, and Wisdom. Some of those words played more significant roles than others, especially the words WEAVING from 2012 and WISDOM from this year, but I always place each year’s word in a prominent place on my desk.

To pick a word for 2015, I pulled three of my Desert Wisdom Cards to help guide me. The cards pulled at random were:

  • VISIBILITY
  • CLARITY
  • DELIGHT
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Visibility – A Desert Wisdom Card © 2014 Bo Mackison

VISIBILITY:

  • This is a word I have struggled with much of my life. I see that I used a similar word, SHOW UP, in 2009. I have made progress in this area – from doing art to claiming my role as artist, from creating art in the privacy of my studio to doing nationally juried art fairs and festivals, from making personal books to creating a series of Desert Wisdom Cards, and offering three different sets for sale while also creating and giving workshops based on them.
  • None of this was done without struggle, and there were times when I hunkered down and didn’t show my face for weeks (or even months) at a time. But I have made discernible progress in the process of becoming more VISIBLE, in SHOWING UP.
  • Since it is still something I do with difficulty and much encouraging self talk, it is well worth considering that my word for the coming year would advance my goal of being VISIBLE.

 

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Clarity – A Desert Wisdom Card © 2014 Bo Mackison

CLARITY:

  • Lucid, clear in thought, focused. Only in extra-ordinary moments do I capture the clarity I seek – the flow of my creative vision, the words coming together to state my full intentions, the awareness of my place in a tiny part of my world.
  • I tend to wander, find my bearings by examining lots of alternatives, so zeroing in on one clear goal has always been a challenge, improbable and infrequent.
  • Yet, I wish for clarity in vision and I can create small practices towards that goal.

 

Delight

Delight – A Desert Wisdom Card © 2014 Bo Mackison

DELIGHT:

  • Of all the cards in the Desert Wisdom Card Set, DELIGHT is one of two cards that make me cringe when I pull it as my card for the day. (The other card that throws me is BEAUTY!)
  • Given that response, a response which I choose to notice, how might I infuse the coming year with more instances that provoke/encourage DELIGHT?
  • DELIGHT is a spontaneous feeling. When I look at the past year, I experienced DELIGHT, especially when stunned by stark natural beauty or  greatly amused by the antics of my one year old granddaughter or my best dog, Gracie.
  • Hard to plan for DELIGHT, but easily noticed when it bubbles to the surface. Perhaps I need to hold the intention, then, to be more aware of DELIGHT in my daily life.

Taking all of this into consideration, my practices for 2015 will include furthering my personal work of showing up and being visible, adding small steps to gain clarity and focus, and paying attention to that which provokes delight in my life.

In Part II, I’ll examine choosing my word of the year in terms of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and trans-personal aspects.

And I’ll choose my word for the year.

Do you choose a word for the year? Share your process and/or your word in the comments, if so inspired.

 

 

 

Fog in the Forest – A Blessing

Pine Forest in Shroud

Pine Forest in Shroud © 2014 Bo Mackison

Nothing stands in isolation.
Experiences, stories, a life time of truths.

Traveling in a forest in fog. Water droplets suspended in the atmosphere, my vision
obscured as I peer fiercely through the mist. To no avail. Not a glimmer or a ghost.

Moisture permeates the dried, the desiccated. Ragged and spent.

A pulpy mix of leaf litter, feathers, tiny skeletons and detritus.
Life and death and the in-between takes on many forms.

A shudder up my spine, bone to bone. And I recall
my grandmother’s shivery words under similar circumstances

“Someone walkin’ over my grave.” She’d shake her head, eyes closed,
and chew her cracked lip. Back away from trouble.

I hold out my bare hands in supplication. Help me.
The trees shiver in winter’s wind.

Water drops, sanctified in the sodden oak leaves,
sprinkle upon my bare head and I continue my passage through.

Thirty One Thresholds – Architectural Spaciousness at the Wisconsin State Capitol

Wisconsin State Capitol

Rotunda of Wisconsin State Capitol © 2014 Bo Mackison

This building, the Wisconsin State Capitol, was once one of my frequent winter hang outs. A perfect place to explore. Spacious. Filled with architectural delights and period art, and recently renovated, it is a beauty.

Perfect in my quest for thresholds, for there are a multitude of nooks and crannies to explore.

Wisconsin State Capitol

Dome, Wisconsin State Capitol © 2014 Bo Mackison

The current Wisconsin State Capitol (the third Capitol building constructed on this site) was built from 1906 – 1917 at a cost of $7.25 million.

Wisconsin State Capitol

Wisconsin State Capitol Interior © 2014 Bo Mackison

Because of financial limitations and the need for immediate government office space, the construction was extended over several years and emphasized building one wing at a time. A time of true fiscal responsibility!

Wisconsin State Capitol

Stairways, Wisconsin State Capitol © 2014 Bo Mackison

The Capitol was constructed of 43 types of stone from six countries and eight states. The exterior stone is Bethel white granite from Vermont – the largest granite exterior dome in the world.

Wisconsin State Capitol

Wisconsin State Capitol © 2014 Bo Mackison

The rotunda is constructed of marble from Greece, Algeria, Italy, and France, plus Minnesota limestone, Labradorite, and Wisconsin red granite.

Wisconsin State Capitol

Marble Beauty in Wisconsin State Capitol © 2014 Bo Mackison

The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001.

Wisconsin State Capitol

Always Something to See in the Wisconsin State Capitol © 2014 Bo Mackison

I believe that one of the true wonders of this building is there is always something new to see. The architectural detail, the construction, the art — there is always something new to notice with awe and amazement.

A Day at the Museum of Natural History in NYC

Welcome to the Natural History Museum

Welcome to the Museum of Natural History © 2014 Bo Mackison

On our last day in New York City, after three days of fun and activity with family and baby showers and NY outings, Manda and I decided to spend the day – the entire day – at the American Museum of Natural History. We had a late flight out of La Guardia, and so we checked out of the hotel early and headed to the museum. Considering it was a cold and rainy day, the chance to leisurely visit the many attractions in one under-cover space was mighty appealing.

First stop is always the entrance hall, named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, and holding the remnants of one large cast dinosaur, one of only two Barosaurus specimens in the world, and the only one in an upright position.

Walkers

Walkers © 2014 Bo Mackison

More dinosaurs. Love the juxtaposition of the “walking” dinosaur with the human walkers.

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Origami Tree © 2014 Bo Mackison

An annual tradition, the Origami Holiday Tree marks the start of the holiday season at the Museum, as it has for more than 30 years.

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Origami on the Origami Tree © 2014 Bo Mackison

The tree is decorated with handmade origami models inspired by the 2006 movie Night at the Museum, filmed in these museum halls.

Dinosaurus Wreath

Dinosaurus Wreathus © 2014 Bo Mackison

As we left the museum after a full day of exploration, we had to stop and take a shot of the Holiday Dinosaur, complete with festive lights and a glittery wreath.

What a great time we had this past weekend. And even more exciting, the next time we visit the Big Apple — mid January, give or take a few days — I’ll be here to say hello to my newborn grandchild. (Big smile!)

 

Wandering NYC – Daughters with Doughnuts, Plus Museums, Meatballs, & Matilda

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The Star of Breakfast © 2014 Bo Mackison

Visiting the Lower East Side while in NYC…

My Trifecta includes breakfast at The Doughnut Plant – the number of donuts consumed was justified by the infrequency of our visits…

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Daughters with Donuts © 2014 Bo Mackison

And doughnuts with daughters makes the doughnuts incredibly special!

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Tenement Museum © 2014 Bo Mackison

Followed by a tour at the Tenement Museum

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City Scenes on a Rack © 2014 Bo Mackison

And a long stop in the Tenement Museum Gift Shop which is perfect for browsing and a few purchases, too…

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Three Meatball Sliders All in a Row © 2014 Bo Mackison

Last stop while walking the Lower East Side is The Meatball Shop for a lunchtime snack before heading to…

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Waiting for Matilda © 2014 Bo Mackison

Broadway and the musical Matilda.

Since a visit to Manhattan happens only once every few years, we made the most of our long weekend! Pacing is key!