2021 and My Word For The Year

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me, an invincible summer.”

— Albert Camus

January Forest

It’s early January, 2021, and it looks like another typical winter month here in Vancouver… rain!

So off I go on my daily walk with my gumboots on…

I’ve finally had a few days of quiet (just me, my brush and I), and after a lovely walk sloshing through rain puddles and mud, I’ve decided on my Word For The Year!

For the past ten years or so I’ve come up with a word for the year ahead. It isn’t a resolution, but rather, more of an intention... Something to move towards, or something I want to bring into my life. The interesting thing is, there’s always something unexpected that comes from it. So I create my word with no expectations of outcome...

Last year my word for the year was Transformation. And a transformative year it has been! In fact, I feel like I’ve been in a cocoon all year… With two trips cancelled, and “stay home, stay apart, wear a mask”… there’s been no other option but to go through changes. Fortunately I have my studio… It’s been my sanctuary. My cocoon.

Right now the whole world is in major transformation, and who knows what will emerge?

But I’ve decided… When I emerge, it will be as a butterfly. So that’s my word for the year. Butterfly.

I love butterflies… to me they symbolize freedom, beauty, creativity (some of my essence words), and although butterflies are delicate, they are amazingly strong and can fly great distances. They’re also a symbol of hope.

Hope For The Flowers, 36” x 36”, oil on canvas

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all”

— Emily Dickinson

If you were to choose a word for this year, what would it be?…