Day 319 {Reverb11} Saying Yes

Prompt#30 ~ Yes.

What will you say yes to in 2012?

my dreams - doing what I love – positive thinking – abundance – love – forgiveness – beauty – praise – creativity – gratitude – spreading joy – magic - working out - being healthy – an amazing 2012 – happiness - following my heart - romance – peace – contentment – security – faith - laughter and more love.

With my word for 2012 being RELISH, I plan to immerse myself in all the beauty, love & goodness that surrounds me.  In 2011, I took the time to notice and appreciate, this coming year I will leap with my arms open wide to embrace it.  My faith has grown and the past year has exceeded my expectations.  I look forward to 2012 and know even better things are yet to come!

Day 318 {Reverb11} Saying No

Prompt 29 ~ No.

What will you say no to in 2012?

things I feel obligated to do – negative thinking – lack – unworthiness – hate – bitterness – judgment – gossip – overwhelm – fear – dwelling on the past - negative people - regret

Thanks to all who have reminded me of my light when I ceased to remember!

Day 317 {Reverb11} Vocabulary

Prompt#28 ~ Vocabulary.

If you could eliminate one word from your brain forever – what would it be?

I can’t think of one particular word that I would like to eliminate forever, but I certainly would like to eliminate the negative self talk.  I have made great strides in this area in 2010, but definitely plan to continue the journey of self love in 2012 and beyond.  I know there are a lot of people, including myself, who are a lot tougher on themselves than they would every thing of being to a friend.  


As I'm typing, I realize there is one word I would like to eliminate ~ perfectionism!  This has been a big lesson for me this year to release the need to be "perfect" or think life would be different if I were "this or that".  I have learned that it is the beauty inside that truly counts.  I have learned it is perfect to be imperfect ME!  I have learned to embrace my flaws and know they make me unique.

I believe this quote wholeheartedly - the beauty inside is what truly makes a person lovely!!  

“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. 

You can have a wonky nose & a crooked mouth 

and a double chin & stick-out teeth, 

but if you have good thoughts 

they will shine out of your face 

like sunbeams and

you will always look lovely.” 

~ Roald Dahl

Day 316 {Reverb11} Dream

Prompt#27 ~ Dream.

What crazy & wild dream was born in 2011?

I would again have to say photography dream was born!!  I have always wanted to take a photography class.  After taking some workshops online, I feel in love with it!!

In 2012, I want to take more time to expand this love and learn more.  I want to combine my love of quotes, love of painting & love of photography into a unique style of my very own!!!

Check out the Reverb11 prompts HERE.

Day 315 {Reverb11} Revive

Prompt#26 ~ Revive. 

Share a favorite photo from the past year. What was happening behind the scenes? What were you thinking or feeling? What could you smell, taste, see, hear at that moment? 

I decided to choose this photo because I had such a great time with my friends this summer – enjoy the beach, pools, rafting and up north. We were at a friend’s pool for a cook out in this photo. I could feel the warm sun & cool water. I could see the beautiful, sunny sky. I could taste my cold cocktail while relaxing. I could hear all our laughter!  Good times.

I took SO many photos this year that it is so very hard to choose just ONE!

Day 314 {Reverb11} Celebrate

Prompt#25 ~ Celebrate. 


What did you celebrate in 2011? Are you looking forward to any celebrations in 2012? 


The biggest celebration in 2011 was my son, Jackson’s, high school graduation! I was so proud of him!! Now, he’s in college and really taking the initiative to get his education. Again…proud!



For 2012, one celebration will be completing my 365 project in February. But, one thing I’m looking forward to now in 2012 is Valentine’s Day. I have someone very special to share it with this year. I love how it makes me feel…how he makes me feel – so I’m going to relish in that love – all. year. long.

Day 312 {Reverb11} Grasp.

Prompt#23 ~ Grasp.

Describe something that you actively engaged in learning to do this year.

Photography was something I actively engaged in learning this year…and loooooved it!  It seems to be the theme of a lot of my answers for WEverb11, but it made a great impact in my life in 2011.

In 2012, I wish to continue exploring photography…and putting the wish out there for a “big girl” camera so I can really get into it!!  Of course, signing up for more workshops in 2012!

Day 311 {Reverb11} Accomplish

Prompt#22 ~ Accomplish.

What is one thing you want to do before you bid adieu to 2011? How will you make it happen?

Reflect on all my blessings this year – how?  Right here with WEverb!  Recollecting all the wonderful moments documented here on my blog.  It was a GREAT year...thank you!

Now, on to envisioning what I would love my 2012 to bring!!

Day 310 {Reverb11} Ripple

Prompt#21 ~ Ripple

The butterfly effect posits that a small change can ripple across whole ecosystems. Who do you credit for the small action that made all the difference in your life this year?

I credit my blog & my 365 project ~ a small action…looking for beauty each and every day ~ has made all the difference in my world!  I wholeheartedly believe that by focusing on the beauty and goodness that surrounded me every day that I attracted more and more of it into my life.  Through this project, I have become involved in many workshops and groups online ~ and “meet” some wonderful, inspiring people.  

I shared in {this post} what a difference self portraiture & photography made in my life this year.

I can not wait to see where it all takes me in 2012.  I believe even better things are coming...

Day 309 {Reverb11} Technology

Prompt#20 ~ Plug In/Un Plug.

How has technology affected your life (positively or negatively) in 2011? Do you want this to continue for 2012?

This year I finally got a smart phone – a Droid – ok, ok, so I didn’t feel so smart when I first got it.  It took me awhile to get the hang of it, but now I don’t know what I would do without it!!  One thing I absolutely LOVE about it is the camera.  Now, I have a camera every where I go and it has made my 365 project possible!! 

Technology – the internet – has allowed me to connect with other creative people all around the world!  It has been so, so inspiring.  I have just loved joining Flickr and finding different groups to be a part of and participate in.  I have loved having my blog – it is a great creative outlet!!  I have connected with lost friends on Facebook.  Twitter keeps me up to date with all the blogs & artists I have found online.

Overall…a wonderful, wonderful experience – plug IN!  

I would definitely LOVE to expand my blog in 2012 to have more visitors and have something to share with them.  I keep having this "nudge" to start a Facebook group to gather local people together so they can share with other creative type people.  I would love to be able to share what I've learned over this last year with others!!

In 2012, I want to learn more about Photoshop!  I want to get a "big girl" camera and learn soooo much more about photography!!  So many inspiring things to photograph ~ I want to share what I see in the world with the world!

Day 308 {Reverb11} Laugh

Prompt#19 ~ Laugh.

Tell us about your biggest belly laugh in 2011.

Wow…I absolutely LOVE to laugh!  I don’t think I have a friend that doesn’t have a great sense of humor!!  I can not think of my biggest belly laugh but I know I’ve laughed so hard that my face hurts.  Just trying to think of the times I have laughed really hard this year makes me smile!  J

Day 307 {Reverb11} Teach

Prompt#18 ~ Teach.

What lesson or advice were you able to pass on to others this year? Why was it important to share this information? (Or… what lesson would you like to pass on to others that read this?)

This year has been a year of growing for me.  Every year is – well, every day should be really!  I feel like since I started my blog and named it “beautifully imperfect” that this exact statement has been brought to my attention over & over & over.  I have been very hard on myself over the years – thinking everything needed to be “perfect” – ugh!  I have came to realize that it is OK to be ME.  I don’t have to be perfect – it’s impossible – beauty is in the imperfections and make me uniquely me. 

What I want to pass on – BE YOU – be beautifully imperfect YOU!

This article was posted on Kind Over Matter and I just love, love, love it… about perfection…

{The Perfection I See}

I see you as you are. Whole. Unbroken. Divinely human. Humanly divine.

I see beyond the games you play, where in you pretend to be a mess. Where you pretend to have holes in your heart that you need to fill up. Where you pretend to be that you are any less than amazing.

Those holes are not real. We make them up and try to fill them with this and that.

Yet it never seems to work. We think, “I can’t fill them with anything, so they must be bottomless pits of despair”. We never entertain that they simply do not exist. They feel real, but I see no empty spaces. I see the unexplored. I see painful stories told over and over again. I see the yearning to be shattered, to explain away the hurt. I see the fear of being whole. Unified. The shirking away from what it would mean if we were pristine, amazing beings who were simply never broken.

I see the fruitless searching for more and more avenues to fix yourself in service to reinforcing the notion you are broken. I see you seeking a way out that only leads back in. I see the dalliances with beliefs that no longer work...that life is hard. That struggling is omnipresent. And that the point is to grow a little with each bit of turmoil. We suss out meaning to make the shit seem worth it, rather than wondering why the shit is happening to us the first place. The “why me” question is annoying to some, but often a powerful one to ask. Why you? Why does the chaos reign? Are you stuck in the belief that pain is where transformation happens? What’s the story that tells you that life is hard?

I see the push and pull for something new. Graceful. Loving. Easy. I see the need for the delight. And I see the ache when you live the belief that joy can only come from struggle...that every crack must be filled before happy can shine through. I see the tossing and turning to get it all right.

I, however, see you as alright. Better than. Magnificent. Amazing. Whole. I see you filled completely, with the essence of who you are...love. I see you trying so hard to pretend otherwise...to fit in. To feel better. To be human. But human doesn’t mean wounded. Or hurt. It means alive. It means experience. You do not have to fix the human to feel the divine. You simply have to be in the experience of you to know the energy of source. There is no need to try. Or transcend your present state. You waited a long time to get on this amazing roller coaster. Don’t shut your eyes and pretend you are not good enough to have the ride of your existence. Open your eyes, throw up your hands and love with abandon. Enjoy it. Open your eyes and see what I see. Open your eyes and see the perfection.

Jo Anna Rothman, MA is an intuitive coach and facilitator of The Receiving Project. She revels in assisting people in falling in love with their lives. She is committed to living a life full of pleasure, purpose and enthusiasm. And perhaps most important, she knows the secret to the perfect s’more. 

Day 306 {Reverb11} Discover

Prompt#17 ~ Discover.

What did you discover (big or small) in 2011?

I may not have discovered these in 2011, but these are things that I admired, enjoyed & my thoughts…

its doesn't have to hurt to love. you won't know without trying.  go for it.  live - truly live - this wild & crazy life of yours. wildflowers are beautiful. sunsets are amazing. an obsession with clouds.  sunrises are magnificent.  photography is addictive. beauty is everywhere if you look. its ok to let go. you will survive.  God is on my side.  just now is perfect.  love is the answer.  i am beautifully imperfect.  i don't need to fix me.  give love freely.  it's ok to make mistakes - just keep going.  don't give up.  let yourself shine.  try it.  take a chance.  ask great questions.  forget the past - its over.  every day is a new beginning.  hugs make it better.  even on a rainy day you can find beauty.  flowers make me happy.  autumn colors are amazing.  let go & let God. connecting with wonderful souls is inspiring.  my heart whispers softly.  my heart knows the way.  the best is yet to come.  i love me.  i am worthy.  appreciate it all.  i am blessed!

Day 305 {Reverb11} Persevere

Prompt#16 ~ Persevere.

Describe something that disappointed you in 2011 and how you persevered.

Persevere was my word for 2010 – it was definitely a year of struggling in many ways.  This year, I have to say was a great year.  I’m sure there were things that disappointed me, but nothing compared to the prior year.  I truly feel like this year fit my word for the year 2011 - EMERGE.  I tried new things, explored new creative outlets and tried to create wonderful memories. 

I did end a relationship that was going no where in the beginning of the year which disappointed me, but I knew I had been through a lot harder challenges and all would be fine.  Then I started a new relationship.  I lost a dear friend, Karen,  to cancer very, very suddenly.  It was heartbreaking, but I tried to take with me her outlook on life and the joy she spread to others as an inspiration.

In 2012, my word is relish and I’m looking forward to delighting in all that is to come.

Day 304 {Reverb11} Surprise

Prompt#15 ~ Surprise.

What event of 2011 affected you in an unexpected way?

The “event” that affected me the most this year is the relationship that started this summer.  I have been very reluctant to truly open myself up and be vulnerable to someone because of my fear of being hurt.  As soon as I begin having feelings for someone, I put up walls to protect myself.  This year is the first time that I allowed those walls to come down and genuinely love someone.  Actually, I surprised myself how quickly the feelings formed and how I let myself enjoy it.  Honestly, I do have a hard time writing about it, but writing this is making me realize that I have made strides.

I have learned a lot about myself in this relationship – mostly, the struggles I still have with speaking my voice.  I have worked hard at communicating, but know I have a way to go to become better at it.  I have had a tendency in the past to shut down instead of speak up.  I have taken the time to really think about what it is I want in a relationship.  I have also thought about who I need to be!  This is definitely something that I will continue to work on and grow with in 2012 – looking forward to it!  <3

This quote by Jackson Kiddard is how I intend to think going into 2012 ~ letting it in with love:

“Don’t settle because you’re afraid you won’t find something better. 

Don’t compromise because you don’t want to be alone. 

Give your perfect life, lover and job time and space to grow into our life. 

Don’t rush, don’t hurry. Take your time, be easy, have patience. 

Allow everything to come to you with your subtle guiding and intending. 

Your days of constant chasing with little reward are over. 

Everything you’ve ever wanted and more coming to you, 

you just have to let it in with love, 

receptivity and non-judgment.

 Letting it in is how you become it.”

- Jackson Kiddard

Day 303 {Reverb11} Breathe

Prompt#14 ~ Breathe.

How did you make space + peace for yourself in 2011?

I would have to say my blog is where I made space for myself.  It has allowed me to express myself and to be creative which both bring me peace and comfort.

In 2012, I would like to add some form a meditation to relax and connect with my inner self.  I feel need to listen closer to the nudging from my heart and this quiet, peaceful time would give me that sacred time just to be.

Always remember who you are,

and that there is never a moment

when you do not have God on your side.

Breathe, relax & know

 with confidence that all things 

will work out for you.

Step into tomorrow without apprehension,

and do not waste your time with worry.

Rather, fill your time 

with creative thinking

about how to move forward,

no matter what happens.

Day 302 {Reverb11} Read

Prompt#13 ~ Read.

What article or book changed your outlook on an issue or life?

I would have to say “Eat, Love, Pray”…oh my, now that I think about it – was it this year?  Or last?  Either way, I have to say that a lot of the quotes in that book really made me ponder life – how I looked at it & how I responded to it.

Some quotes…

“There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I'm going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life-whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts.”

“Imagine that the universe is a great spinning engine. You want to stay near the core of the thing - right in the hub of the wheel - not out at the edges where all the wild whirling takes place, where you can get frayed and crazy. The hub of calmness - that's your heart. That's where God lives within you. So stop looking for answers in the world. Just keep coming back to that center and you'll always find peace.”

My favorite quote from the book...

“God dwells within you, as you.”

I just LOVE the thought of God dwelling in me as me...makes a lot of things seem more possible!

Day 301 {Reverb11} Thrive

Prompt#12 ~ Thrive.

What was your healthiest habit of 2011? What would you like to change or do differently in 2012?

My healthiest habit was doing pilates!  It made a world of difference physically & mentally.  I love it and I have a very motivating (and sometimes sadist) instructor. 

In 2012, I want to try out yoga at a local place called Hilltop Yoga.  They have a great array of classes and I love participating in a class more than being at the gym on a treadmill!!!  Also, I want to try some workout videos for Barre.  I love the combination of ballet, dance & pilates.

thrive:  to grow vigorously; to flourish; 

to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances

List 12 things that make you thrive:

(1) love
(2) connection
(3) touch
(4) faith
(5) creativity
(6) exercise
(7) gratitude
(8) optimism 
(9) my sons
(10) my family
(11) my friends
(12) dark chocolate :-)

Day 300 {Reverb11} 12 Things

Prompt#11 ~ Try.

What 12 new things do you want to do/accomplish in 2012?

(1) New workouts – Yoga @ Hilltop & Pure Barre videos

(2) Running a 5k – just for the experience

(3) Encaustic painting – wax, panting & photography combined

(4) Painting workshop – another Dirty Footprints workshop & Flora Bowley workshop (and her book)

(5) Live model drawing class – check out the ones at MSU or Old Town
(6) Live in the Here & Now...the present moment - just now!
(7) Contribute to my investment account
(8) Organize my office @ home - make room for workouts & painting
(9) Start 52 wk project & include others
(10) More trips to the beach; more traveling
(11) Add more creativity to my life
(12) Love with all my heart <3

Day 299 {Reverb11} Create

Prompt#10 ~ Create.

Share a creative project you undertook this year (art, writing, DIY, cooking, home decoration, crafts, photography … whatever comes to mind). How do you use your creativity to express yourself?

This year, I stumbled across a workshop that literally Changed. My. Life.  I discovered self portraiture from a wonderful & inspiring woman, Vivivenne McMaster…and her workshop called Wading In!  It amazed me how ONE thing can make such a dramatic shift in your life.  I began looking at myself, both inside & out, more lovingly and realized I’m just perfect as just ME. 

After becoming hooked on photography, I started adding all these quotes that I have saved over the years to my photos.  It just seemed to give them more meaning!  Then I even dug out some of my poetry and added it to some photos.  This was so inspiring as I have always wanted to do something creative with my poetry.  It even made me pick up my pencil again and try writing, which I haven’t done in quite some time.

I didn’t get in as much painting as I would have like to in 2011, but photography kinda of took over my life!  :-)  In 2012, I would loooooooooove to figure out a way to combine my photography & painting.  C’mon muse…show me the way!!!

My photography & my poem.