Resolutions Are Made to Be Broken

At the beginning of this year ( oh, so long ago) I made a commitment to participate in the 2013 Mindful Writing Challenge. Writing a ‘Small Stone‘ each day was intended to be a way to expand my observational and blogging skills. I think it did accentuate my attention to the details around me, but even before last week’s unexpected blogging hiatus, I had decided to call it quits with the Challenge. The time I spent online increased, but my actual posts on-topic to Beyond Back Creek declined. And I noticed that several subscribers opted out. Apparently, I am not the only one who missed the focus on daily life in this part of the universe. Although I am notoriously plan-happy, I asked myself…Is the point of a resolution to stick with the plan, or to achieve the benefit for which the resolution was developed? I’m going with the latter.

I can see that the ultimate benefit of the Mindful Writing Challenge, for me, has been to be more aware of the dialog that Beyond Back Creek is intended to foster, and to commit to stay true to it. With that in mind, I’ll try to pay attention to the details of what creates the specific sense of place here, in Anne Arundel County, and share that. This new bit of clarity will also help me to finally write my ‘About’ page…so stay tuned. I do appreciate that readers have been asking about it!

And, starting off 2013 with a bang, Beyond Back Creek has been nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award by Terry1954, who happens to be one of my favorite writers. I gratefully accept the nomination, and it’s spirit of “keeping the blogosphere a beautiful place”. The rules of acceptance require sharing some things about myself, and, with renewed focus on what makes the “Where” of Beyond Back Creek beautiful, here they are.

• Anne Arundel County hugs the Chesapeake Bay, and is blessed with several large and lovely rivers. But I especially love the intimacy of the countless tiny creeks.
• I actually look forward to driving in the snow. We don’t have the chance to do that too often down here. Freezing rain is not fun at all, unless it’s happening outside of a cozy pub.
• My favorite amenities here are the parks and the libraries. We have loads of both. The Adventure Girl in me has been tamed, and now I get my excitement by going to different locations.
• We are considered a suburb of both DC and Baltimore. Although I appreciate the concept of what those cities have to offer, I avoid them more and more. There’s plenty to do right here.
• I’m passionate about good food and compassionate farming. Every year we get more farmers’ markets, which makes me so happy. And I love going to eateries that cite their sources…we need more of those, too!

Sunset on the Chesapeake (photo courtesy of Chesapeake Fish and Beer)

I’d like to nominate the following blogs for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award in turn. Each one of them helps to make their patch of the world a little more beautiful.

• Living Simply Free – for championing a thoughtful home environment
• Cauldrons and Cupcakes – for paying attention to the inner landscape
• Bodhissatva in Training – for creating a community built on compassion
• Gooseyanne’s Blog – for noticing art in everything
• Chocolate is a Verb – for turning trash into poetry
• Loving Life: A Green Journey – for journaling a life lived close to nature
• The Monster in Your Closet – for generously sharing love for family

Thank you all for your inspiration.