The One Of A Kind Show was FANTASTIC! I had such a wonderful 4 days (check out these photos on Marlis’ blog). I’ll write more about the details of the Show in another post. This post is all about Reverb10. Below are the past 9 prompts along with my responses:

Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

The word “Community” is a heavy one.
Just before the start of 2010 I was given the challenge to re-build a community; one that had been damaged and nearly decimated by some negative behaviour.

And I did it.

The back story that goes along with this is very, very personal. Almost 4 years ago I took on the most challenging volunteer job I’ve ever had in my life and it changed me as a person.

But changed me for the better.

For now, I’m going to keep the details private but I know that one day I will share the whole story with you. Perhaps over a pot of tea.

Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

This past weekend at the One Of A Kind Show I got to tell a whole bunch of strangers all about me and my pottery. It was great!

These are the two things about my story that consistently got a positive reaction:
1) I left the world of office jobs behind and decided to turn my hobby into my business this year. So many people commented on how brave I was to take such a risk. Even more people wished me good luck.

2) My roots are in Newfoundland. When people heard me talk about Newfoundland they often smiled and made a comment about how great Newfies are. And I couldn’t agree more.

Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

My Grandma loved a good party. After her funeral we all gathered at her house. My Uncles brought their guitars; we all sat in the front room and had a “sing-along.” It’s exactly what Grandma would have wanted.

Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

I decided to go for it, I took the plunge and started my business. So far it’s been way better than I had imagined.

Prompt: 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

1. My old hosting account that currently hosts email for an email address I barely use. Time to get on that, cancel the account and save a bit of cash-ola.

2. Some books. I have a habit of collecting books faster than I can read them and the pile of To-Read-Books is not shrinking. It’s gotten to the point where I just feel daunted by the task of reading so many books, so it’s time to give them away to someone who will read and enjoy them. (And time to stop feeling guilty about that pile.)

3. Old Magazines. If I haven’t gone through them yet to save the recipes/articles/etc. that I like, then will I ever go through them? Probably not.

4. Old yarn and fabric pieces. If I haven’t made those projects yet, will I ever? Maybe, but maybe not. If I get rid of all of it, will I miss it? No.

5. Office clothes. I have a bunch of clothes I used to wear to my office job that I haven’t worn in over a year. The clothes are nice, but unused and just taking up space in my closet. I’m sure someone, somewhere would enjoy and use them. It’s time to donate them and free up some space.

6. Drama. I’m not going to expand on this one here. It’s better kept in my paper journal.

7. The dead plants on the balcony. They’re depressing.

8. That box of misfired pots. I know exactly what to do with them.

9. Old work files and discs. Why did I keep so much stuff from my old jobs? It’s stupid.

10. Hole-y socks. Even if they’re pretty socks, even if I still like them, I’m not wearing them because they don’t function that well anymore. Thread-bare socks are not much better than going barefoot. I had planned to darn them all, but really, if I haven’t knit that shawl, collected those recipes, or sewed that skirt, am I really going to darn the socks? Time to make room in my sock drawer and stop strangling my big toe with a hole-y sock.

11. Cynics. Enough said.

Prompt: Body integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?

One day I sat at the wheel to make some Wobbly Shotglasses and I got on a roll. Usually I make three humps worth of Shotglasses in one sitting, which is about 12-16. But on that day when I got to the last of my third hump I decided to keep going.

At one point while I was throwing I started to notice that if I thought about making the Shotglass I often made a mistake or it just didn’t turn out. Alternatively, if I didn’t think and just let my hands do the work I’d throw the Shotglass without any problem. So I let my head focus on the music from the stereo while my hands made 46 Shotglasses in a row. I remember it felt like letting go and just being in the moment.

Prompt: Action. When it comes to aspirations, its not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

To sit and relax, let the ideas ferment and form.
Give myself a chance to think.
To strategize, plan and let the inspiration flow.

Prompt: Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

There was a time in my life when I don’t think I really appreciated the deep, meaningful friendships I have created over the years. I took some very dear people for granted and spent a chunk of time trying to be a good friend to some people who weren’t really that great to me.

But when my world shifted I made a decision to really celebrate and appreciate the friendships I had. And that’s been a huge theme for me throughout 2010. We talk more on the phone, we text, we send emails more frequently, and the moment I’m reminded of any of my friends, I let them know. I am so fortunate to have the people in my life that I have. And I will never take any of them for granted again.

Prompt: 5 minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.

I read this prompt and immediately got a lump in my throat. My Aunt Marlene, AKA My Auntie, suffered through Alzheimer’s Disease. The symptoms started when she was about 49/50 years old and she passed away at the age of 65, almost three years ago now. Auntie was like my second Mom. She was the eldest of my Mother’s 7 siblings. Watching her memory slip away was heartbreaking and I think it’s one of the things I now fear.

I don’t ever want to forget the good stuff. I write in journals, I repeat stories over in my head so as to remember them like they were fresh, and I cherish every mind-blowing memory I have of this year.

It’s been a pivotal year in my life and I can’t pick one memory over another to give up. So I’m not going to do it.