For the last number of years,I’ve been participating in the tradition of choosing One Word for the year and recapping, reflecting on it, doing it. For 2014, my word was expansion. And the interesting thing, I’ve just realized as I searched my posts for 2014 is that I did a lot of expanding, not a lot of updating.

The great thing that happened is I moved to my hometown. I considered the move for move before finding a job, seriously contemplating the process. And keeping in mind that there are not lots of jobs in Miramichi.

Thanks to the work of Gavin at Zen Pencils and the quote from Brené Brown, along with the free posters that came from subscribing to his site, I challenged myself to do something I had been afraid to do. I was afraid to move to Miramichi and make a go at building the life I want. I was scared of the job prospects. I was scared of moving back to my mother’s home. One of Gavin’s posters is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson “Always do what you’re afraid to do” This poster kept reminding me to take the expansive leap in the fearful unknown and work to make my life the way I want.

The leap is still unfolding, but the fears that held me back are strawmen. I have enjoyed being home again, spending time with my mom, sister and dad (who lives in a nursing home in the city, we live in the rural outskirts). The job has been an easier transition too. I have taken a customer service job, doing inbound tech support. While I don’t see this as my forever job, it is more satisfying than I expected.

Since moving home, I have done photography jobs in Moncton, Fredericton and Miramichi. This is still my plan: to build my photography skills into a consistent revenue stream. My marketplace is the province of New Brunswick, with a base in Miramichi.

For 2015, my One Word will be relationship. Building relationship with co-workers, old friends, making friends. Pursuing relationship with God, by actively involving myself in volunteering in my community, meeting people, getting to know people, forging a network one relationship at a time.

Not because I want a network, but because I want to be in relationship with people. The network is a secondary side benefit of pursuing relationship. We grow and become better people when we live in relationship, rather than isolation. I hope to inspire people by being consistent in pursuing relationship.

What are some ways you build relationship?

One Word 365 for the past few years

2015 Relationship

2014 Expansion

2013 Growth

2012 Faith

2011 Photography