Wow – in ways I can hardly believe the end of my 365 Project for 2011 is completed. When my precious husband of 43 years bought me a Nikon D90 for my birthday (December 2010) some of the first words out of my mouth were, “Now I can do the 365 Project!”
January 1, 2011 rolled around and I got a call from my daughter-in-law (@luckygirl) saying, “I posted my first picture on 365, are you going to post yours?” With a mix of excitement and a bit of trepidation, I opened an account and posted my first photo. There was some fear involved here but then I remembered that fear only exists in the mind – so I jumped in with both feet and “guilted” (as she would say) my other daughter-in-law (@rachdbo) into doing the Project too. Later, my two sons (@benbo,
@trbo) would join in and for a while even my husband got in the mix.
What I didn’t expect, was the wonderful 365 community that came with the Project! I have appreciated beyond measure, each and every one of you - your encouragement, your ideas and how you have helped me grow – especially those of you who “get” my humor.
Because I love words and I have them in various places around our home, I thought that surrounding myself with those words and doing a selfie might be the best way to end this year’s Project.
I love the Lord, love life, my husband, my family and those I hold close – additionally, we need to love what we do and do what we love.
I love to laugh – it’s medicine powerful enough to kill cancer! Plus, I think it’s important to laugh at yourself before anyone else has a chance to.
It is important to enjoy what you do and not worry so much if it’s good enough – especially the photos we take. Yes, we want to grow and we want to get better, but we either do this because we love it or we find something else to do.
Trust yourself when your imagination runs wild with an idea. Like Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.” When I wake up from my dreams, I want to be holding tightly to the word, “BELIEVE” – my favorite word!
Lastly, at the age of 41, I was diagnosed with early stage three breast cancer. I lost my chest, but God used the medicine of men to accomplish His healing and teach me that what I do with every day must be important, because I’m exchanging a day of my life for it.
I will carry on with a new 365 Project 2012 and face the New Year by embracing the journey ahead. My new project will include my “real” name (Becky Bourland), rather than my nickname (MamaBec) – I guess it’s time to “own-up”.
What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson
And how fun that you have so many family members doing this project! I only knew of Marianne. I just LOVE that! Many more blessing to you and your family in 2012, Becky!!!
Happy New Year to you as well! I've already changed my name on my account and uploaded a new profile photo so I'm already set to begin the new Project tomorrow. I also joined Lynda.com for one month so I can get myself started on Elements 9 (a promise I made to myself was that I would use Elements 9 as my editing tool for the 2012 Project).
Thank you for your congratulatory comments. I've already changed MamaBec to Becky Bourland, so don't get scared ... it's still me. I also uploaded a new profile photo for the New Year - so don't get REALLY scared, okay?
Kari, you have NO idea what a blessing it is to have the two most amazing DILs in the world!! I don't know why God chose to bless me with them - our sons are the luckiest guys to have these women in their lives. I get continually blessed by Ben & Marianne plus Travis and Rachel posting pictures of our granddaughters and when you live in differet states, it brings family a little closer.
Bless you Karen. This Project has been amazing - can't imagine my life without it, hope or beliefs!
You are awesome! It was you who got the ball rolling - and I feel that this project has drawn us all a little closer in a different way. So many times, your photos have been an inspiration. I truly believe this project was a gift from the Lord when golf had to take a different place in my weekly life. For that reason also, it is important for me to have a daily project this year - I'm anticipating lots of exciting things to document in 2012. I love you girl!
Thank you Ben! You have always been such an encourager, and this year has been no different. The things you have taught me about my camera, computer or anything else has been instrumental to my growth this year. I understand how I learn, show me in ways that make sense to me, then you release me to experiment with the knowledge you impart. I see this when you are helping your children too. You are a great man, husband, dad and son. I thank the Lord for the gift of you! Now, keep pulling out that phone of yours and snap away so we all can enjoy what your eye sees. Love you Kiddo!
Yes, whoo hoo for sure. It's a task that seems insurmountable in the beginning, but the amazing thing is, the Project is really one- day-at-a-time. Sometimes we get too caught up and create a sense of pressure, when life is all around us. You are the prime example of that - you photograph life around you and it changes all the time. Thank you for allowing all of us to join you in your world.
Thank you Dale - I appreciate your words and look forward to what I can learn from you and your Project. I think my favorite part of my project is the diversity - I have not allowed mysel to pigeon-hole myself, and I hope for the same thing this year,
I think we are going to have a fun year!