Word of the Year: Reveal
December 16th, 2008 by Christine Kane
Note: December is Word-of-the-Year Month at Christine’s Blog. As we roll into another New Year, each day will feature a new guest blogger who chose one word as a way of setting intention for her whole year. Today’s guest is Rhiannon Connolly. More about Rhiannon below.
Word of the Year – REVEAL.
I chose this word even though it signified something a little scary for me. I felt that it was time to stop hiding and become a little more visible – both off line and especially online. It was quite a stretch for me to choose this word but I felt I would be able to use it to push myself along. Perhaps a little faster than otherwise.
It certainly felt more relaxing to choose just one word than to consider all the possible New Year resolutions that I might otherwise be tempted to make.
I’ve used the word throughout the year as a note of quiet encouragement at any point when I was feeling less than sure about the steps I was taking.
Throughout the year it has helped me to participate in Christine’s on-line coaching seminar, open an Etsy shop, start a blog, explore other online networking methods, have my first solo exhibition – and even decide to contribute something to this blog!
In the past, when I was still getting a project off the ground I tended not to discuss it, for fear of losing the impetus to move it forward. Encouraged by my word I discussed fledgling ideas much more quickly, even showing new work on my blog the same day I produced it. To my surprise the reactions I got helped me to keep going with the theme, rather than feeling that “revealing” had hindered the creative process.
With another big project, I discussed it with some friends right at the outset. Interestingly, one friend said she felt inspired by the fact I was following this new idea even though I had not mapped it all out in advance.
The word did pop up in surprising places during the year. Once, while driving, I heard a very upbeat optimistic song on the radio and wanted to download it. I didn’t recognise the band but found it online – and the song was on an album called “Reveal.”
Just in case I wavered, I had a little pendant made, with “Reveal” stamped on it. One friend teased me that the word was actually hidden by a pearl. But it was enough for me to know that it was there!
I haven’t quite settled on my word for next year, though I have a few ideas. In any case I will definitely be choosing another word again for 2009.
——-
Rhiannon Connelly is a professional photographer from Scotland specializing in Lifestyle Portraiture and Fine Art “Polaroid Paintings.” Currently part way through a project to photograph 12 European cities which will result in both Polaroid photographs and a collection of Polaroid based collages.
Website: www.rhiannonconnelly.com
Blog: www.starrybluesky.wordpress.com
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December 16th, 2008 12:39 am
Love how your word showed up! The song part is an amazing non-coincidence!!
I looked at your website and wow…makes me want to get married all over again just so you can take my photos. Amazing work!!! I couldn’t stop looking through them. Great work, and great post.
December 16th, 2008 2:53 am
Your Polaroid Paintings are awesome! I looked at the ones in your gallery and also some in your blog. Great post, too.
December 16th, 2008 8:23 am
Rhiannon, I love the word you chose and if I hadn’t
already picked my word (start), I would pick this one.
I think it’s alot about trust too! Trusting that it’s ok to put yourself out there.
About the album title……Synchronicity! Yep, you
are on track
December 16th, 2008 9:29 am
Rhiannon, a great word and it sounds like the results have benefited you mightily. Hope you don’t mind that I’m adding it to my short list for 2009.
December 16th, 2008 10:32 am
Hi Rhiannon,
Love your photography. The portraits “revealed” something unique about each subject as well as the photographer. Beautiful. Free. Love the baby’s feet in black and white. Had a wild and crazy time in Scotland. The people “revealed” their amazing personalities to me.
Just a fabulous word! Being known takes courage. Congrats! Thx G., the genius chick …
December 16th, 2008 11:01 am
Rhiannon I love the choice of your word. I think I will have to add it to my list. It is very powerful. You work is incredible and a beautiful gift. Keep going.
December 16th, 2008 12:57 pm
Rhiannon, reveal is a wonderful word and your running with it, writing about it, took me to your site this a.m. What beautiful images you make. I especially love the “cities” series. Wow, keep up the good work!
December 16th, 2008 1:43 pm
The concept of choosing a “word-of-the-year” is something new and very cool to me! I have some favourite words of my own…but choosing one to set the intent for an entire year is quite intriguing.
Do I really only have to choose one? Decisions, decisions…
Thanks for sharing.
Rob
December 16th, 2008 2:11 pm
Very awesome word Rhiannon! I just think the word itself – reveal – sounds and flows in a magical way. The whole finding a song you like, coming from an album with that name – that had to be quite a moment! And having a pendant with that word on – what a neat idea – to be reminded of what your word, your guiding word, was! And, seeing how it manifested itself in you throughout the year – that’s what continually is impressing me through this whole series of words being shared here – how they do indeed “come to life” when we (you) make the intention…
December 16th, 2008 2:24 pm
I’m a word-lover. I also love the fact that you pick a word for a year and try to live by it. It seems that you succeeded very well on revealing a bit more of you! Congrats! Be sure to let us know what your word for next year is.
I’m going to think about mine now…
December 16th, 2008 2:48 pm
how lovely! congratulations on revealing yourself as much as you have! i have had ‘issues’ with how visible/invisible to be and have stretched myself this year as well. your photography is gorgeous! best wishes for continuing the process of revealing or whatever feels right next.
December 16th, 2008 5:48 pm
Never thought of word of the year before…. Interesting and scary in the same time..
It sounds like you have had a really good year!
December 16th, 2008 7:22 pm
Hi Rhiannon!
What a great word to choose and amazing how it kept presenting itself to you throughout the year.
Your work is so beautiful! wow!
I wonder what word you’ll decide on for 2009?!
P.s. it must be a year since we met in Edinburgh now!?
December 17th, 2008 5:36 am
Thank you all so much for your comments. I will admit to having had an “uh oh” moment when I saw the post. But realised that for me, this was another part of “reveal”. Thanks also for your insights and encouragement. It is amazing how powerful one “keep going” from a stranger can be.
Like Lance, I am also so struck by the strength of all these chosen words in this series of posts, that one little word can provide so much food for growth and change. It will be much harder to choose the word for 2009 because after each different post I think..” Yes, I’d like to choose that word for next year”.
And hello Elaine ! Yes, must be nearly a year. Let me know if you are back in Edinburgh anytime !
December 17th, 2008 9:49 am
Great post, Rhiannon — I like a word with a little mystery to it, and “reaveal” surely has that.
December 18th, 2008 3:00 pm
Good for you, Rhiannon. I am encouraged by “reveal” and it’s wonderful to see how it’s worked for you this past year. You know, REVEL is just minus the “a”,but might be a lovely choice–to revel in all you’ve revealed and all that is yet to come!!
December 20th, 2008 11:50 am
and your work is so gorgeous! I am so glad you chose that word as now, the world gets to benefit from your creations!