
Mostly Ameliorated
There was an idea circulating around my Facebook.
An idea of part silliness, part self help, part inspiration, part community togetherness…one of those warm and comfortable ideas which comes around at this time of year.
The idea of finding a one word to focus on for 2015.
I thought about what this might mean to me.
As I read some of my friend’s reviews and some of the other lovely participants ideas and words, it seemed to me that 2014 had kicked a lot of butt!!! I mean, seriously! Not a lot of people are reflecting on 2014 with happiness and satisfaction.
And still we all carry on, trudging along in the muck of life, our Dunkirk spirits, our chins held high; we are all hoping for something a little better, a little softer, maybe a little kinder from 2015.
There were some wonderful words settled on. Words like, “trust” “grace” “release” “light”, but I kept coming back to AMELIORATE.
I like that word.
Make a little better each time. That’s what I would like for 2015. Small increments of improvement in my whole life. Not a massive MUST CHANGE EVERYTHING rush (which, for me, always leads to disappointment and self berating for not being perfect and achieving that change), just a gentle, imperfect, and perfectly wonderful amelioration.
So, this morning I picked up a page of the 100 yr old Chopin. A page which has been torn twice and taped together. Probably a difficult page to master if it was so well gone over. Such is life I thought. Somewhat difficult to master, yet we keep going over it again and again.
I sketched my free spirit. I sketched flowers and swallows. I sketched mountains and fields.
A perfectly imperfect little sketch, possibly the beginnings of a future painting.
So here we go, small changes for the better, like substituting a buttery croissant for my morning toast, I plan on having a mostly ameliorated year. 😀
Alexandra Hooper
Love that word! Didn’t even know it… With a second language it’s fun to learn new words and I can’t believe it hasn’t crossed my ears or eyes. Whereas it should be one of the basic staples of my vocabulary. Thanks Veronica, and good luck ameliorating!
Veronica
I’m glad you like it Alexandra! I know what you mean, English is my fourth behind Czech, German and Russian, but this is a good word. Almost as brilliant as Chatoyant (another word I tend to overuse, but how else do you describe the rainbow, reflective quality of soap bubbles?) But just today I was trying to explain a Czech word to Robert without using about seventeen English words. Some words are just not easily translatable, so I consider us pretty lucky actually. 😀
Alexandra Hooper
Oh by the way, the sketch is magnificent!!!
Veronica
😀
dirtylittlerunnergirl
Love your post and your sketch just took my breath away. Beautiful!!!!!! This is a piece I would love to look at every day, it makes me happy. Thank you for sharing.
Veronica
So ready. 😀 Thanks for stopping by Linda and leaving your addy because now I can come visit you. 😀
debrashewhoseeks
Well, you certainly ameliorated Chopin!
Veronica
HA! Thank you so much Debra. 😀 Saved another page from the scrap heap. 😀
vastlycurious.com
Love your new art! Yes I admit 2014 was the most difficult year. I would have to say “hope” is my 2015 word and now I will get out the Dictionary app and look up AMELIORATE??? I thought I had a pretty extensive vocabulary? Apparently not? Hugs V !
(Okay I agree with your 3 point word too:)
Veronica
Hope is a great word Kathryn. I hope for you too, for all your happiness my friend. 😀 Big hugs x
Kathy
I like how you think! A fantastic approach to a new year, in my opinion. And seriously..I hope you continue on with your Chopin sketch!
Veronica
Thank you so much Kathy. There’s a lot of those Chopin pages. 😀
daryledelstein
i had a pretty good year .. we were both healthy, the cats were healthy .. Ray who freelances had a good year, my job changed but in a good way .. honestly 2014 was good to us .. but if i look back a few years i can remember all too clearly how much how badly i wanted 2010 to end to be over to be gone because it was an awful year .. if i had to pick a word for 2015 i dont think i could do better than to say ‘repeat’ (and add a ‘please’ quietly)
Veronica
Oh I’m so glad to hear that! Repeat please…with three marmalade cats. That’s what I hope for you too Daryl. X
Bungalow Hostess
Outstanding choice for your year to come!
Lovely sketch too….just curious if you show your work at a gallery?
It is quite lovely.
Veronica
Thank you so much Hostess. I do, mostly more in the UK than in Vancouver, although I do have some shows here too, but the little sketches on ephemera I tend to send out into the world. 😀
Patricia A. McGoldrick
Veronica, I like your approach to the new year. Selecting a theme word certainly gives a great focus for the months to come. Best in 2015! 🙂
Marian
Beautiful sketch… Your an inspiration to me amiga, wonderful word, and I am the same, I build up high expectiobs for myself, fail… Instead of poco a poco… Baby steps mxx
michellepond
Beautiful thoughts and sketch. My word is present. Be present. Accept each day as a present. Be aware of all the presents you receive in a day.
cecilia
That word always makes me think of breasts.. word association I suppose. I adore those roses, where are you today that has roses? No croissants for me until after the little black dress diet. (for senior sons wedding) the bride has dared me to wear it! So lick every crumb off your fingers darling, i will join you soon! c
mysoulfulhome
Your word, although slow in its essence, jumped off the screen for me. Perfect choice…no rushing, incremental, we will get there, enjoy the small steps, look around at the progress and make it better every day. Nice start with your breakfast choice. Health, happiness, laughter & amelioration in the new year… xx
mysoulfulhome
why so long….I just followed you on Instie! Can I bulk like (love) ?
eric
That’s a wonderful theme for 2015. I like your sketch. Breezy and cheerful! Especially in these cold days. – eric