SHIFT: January Check-In

"Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope - a slight change, and all patterns alter."
            --- Sharon Salzberg

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Here we are, nearing the end of January. Time to check in! Let's see how things are going for me and my 2022 word so far.

At this point, my word and I are in that . . . getting-to-know-you phase of things. It's the beginning of a year-long relationship, after all, and it's still new for us. We've been hanging out together a lot. Getting a feel for things. Testing the waters. Establishing our boundaries.

You know.
Those early-relationship kinds of things.

There are so many places we want to go; so many things we'd like to try, but it's still too early to tell how things are going to work out. One thing, though, is really resonating for us right now.

Kaleidoscopes.

Yeah. It might sound a little weird, but I've always had A Thing for kaleidoscopes. Which is why I keep one on my desk. Because they're kind of magical. And fun to have around. It's nice to pick one up to play with whenever you feel a little . . . stuck.

You know.
Like when you need to . . . shift.

So my word and I? We've decided to just take things slowly here for awhile at the beginning of the year. We're moving cautiously, and we'll see what happens next.

(It's really hard to take a picture through the peep-hole in a kaleidoscope with your cell phone. Just sayin.)

Anyway.
I think we're off to a fine start.
(Especially when one of us is - by definition - always on the move!)

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"Life, on this Earth may be likened to a great Kaleidoscope before which the scenes and facts and material substances are ever shifting and changing and all any man can do is to take these facts and substances and re-arrange them in new combinations."
                --- Napoleon Hill

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How about you? If you've chosen a word for the year, how are things going for you and your word so far?

 

 

 

Comments

[Bonny]

I've not chosen a word, and will likely not do so, but I enjoy my kaleidoscope almost daily. You've chosen a wonderful, colorful, way to get acquainted with shift!

[Juliann]

Seems like a slow start is part of the shifting process here too. I am noticing this word and so many companion words showing up daily and one of these days I will write about it.

[Margene]

I have a kaleidoscope on my desk, too! It doesn't have anything inside, but when you look through it it fracture the color and light into pieces. I got it at a class on color in embroidery (or knitting?). It certainly gives a new perspective on everything. Your word is going to take you to great places!

[Kim]

No word this year, but we have made a point of bringing home a kaleidoscope whenever we travel (and if we run into a kaleidoscope). Of course, no traveling for a bit so no new kaleidoscopes--our last one might have come from a tiny craft fair in New Zealand.

[Carole]

Dale loves kaleidoscopes, too! There used to be these amazing store on the Cape that sold kaleidoscopes, some of them were thousands of dollars. I have a few cool ones that we bought there (for way way less LOL) and you've inspired me to pull them out and put them around the house.

[Vera]

Kaleidoscopes are so much fun! I've always enjoyed looking through them and it makes me wonder now why I can't find one here at home...my boss had one in his office (before he retired). Great connection with your OLW.

[Carolyn]

Loving the 'view'!! (We've tried taking similar pics through binoculars...I'm always impressed that photos like this turn out as well as they do.) Here's to ease and beginning.

[kat]

I, too, am loving the view! I love the start of a new word... that getting acquainted time is just the best!

[Sarah]

I think I need to get myself a kaleidoscope; I loved them as a kid but haven't had one in a long time. Why not have something around to give me a different pretty view when I need it?

I'm still getting comfy with my word but am feeling good about how the year has started out. I've already learned a new skill and grown my knitting ability and have gotten inspired to learn some more!

[Mary]

Oh my goodness - LOVE all the kaleidoscope love :-) We are huge fans in my house and my dad loved them too. I just breezed through the comments and don't think anyone mentioned this - The Repair Shop did a kaleidoscope - and (as always, we are big fans of the show) it was wonderful. We watch it on Netflix https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10267330/ ... anyway, It's such a great metaphor for your word - one tiny shift changes the whole view.

[Helen]

I have a kaleidoscope bead that is attached to my credit card wallet. It is a bead with enameled outside and a peephole with a few 'colored grains?' that change as you hold it up to the light and shake or turn it. It amuses me when I'm bored in public. I bought it in Japan (the people who are big on charms that you can attach to your purse.)