Thursday, January 3, 2013

PPF: Paramount (2013 OLW)

Every year, for the last few years, I have chosen "one little word" on which to focus.  The idea was popularized by Ali Edwards, and I have always found it to be a valuable exercise.   For 2013, I know that I need to keep asking myself "what is truly important?" I need to not waste time and energy worrying and stressing over things that don't really matter in the long run.  This is very hard for me; it runs counter to my Type-A, all my ducks-in-a-row personality. But, as my family faced so much stress in 2012, I have come to realize that I have to make compromises and let certain things go. And that needs to be okay with me.  To keep this realization in the forefront,  I have chosen the word "paramount" as my one little word for 2013.
Paramount means "more important than all other things." And it feels just right for me in 2013. I had originally thought I was going to choose "prioritize." But that word didn't really speak to my heart. So, I used an online thesaurus to find synonyms for prioritize and then "importance". I also googled quotes for prioritize, important and importance.  Eventually, I came upon the word "paramount," and I fell in love with the sound of it. It's a pretty word. And it captures what I need to focus on this year.  
During my search, I also came across a quote which I have adopted as my intention for 2013. It is a quote from the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
I created this art journal page with several definitions of "paramount," as well as my quote/ intention for the year and my illustration of my word. I'm posting it to Paint Party Friday. To visit other PPF participants, click on this link.
Have you chosen a word for 2013? Will you do something visually to to represent it?
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26 comments:

  1. Tracey FKJanuary 3, 2013 at 11:39 PM

    Paramount is a great word... I chose embrace last year... but this year I am just going with the flow... I do love that quote though... really wonderful...xx

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  2. helenaJanuary 4, 2013 at 12:30 AM

    oh yes I understand the appeal of paramount over prioritize and the quote is inspiring. Love the hearts along the snowline.

    My word this year is 'quest' as a metaphor for journey / challenge / explore. I will be incorporating it in my photoart this year

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  3. Missus WookieJanuary 4, 2013 at 12:30 AM

    Oh how pretty, I like the idea of choosing what is most important. It is what I tried to do with Focus. Been thinking of Eisenhower's quadrants a lot lately (if you don't know them they are important & urgent, urgent not important, not urgent but important, not urgent or important) and trying to ensure the important things get focussed on the most. Hard tho'...

    Planning a post on my word for 2013 - nourish. Just got some urgent and important things to get through first ;)

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  4. Anne MandaJanuary 4, 2013 at 1:38 AM

    Very pretty, love the hearts! :) Great concept! HPPF!

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  5. alexaJanuary 4, 2013 at 2:32 AM

    I love how you've chosen mountains as a place to hold your 'paramount' - they reinforce and reflect each other so nicely! Hope that it is really helpful to you this year ... I love the little hearts - so nice to have them up there on the snowline!

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  6. IvyJanuary 4, 2013 at 4:48 AM

    What a wonderful word for 2013! Happy PPF!

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  7. KarenJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:25 AM

    What a fabulous word! As soon as I saw it, I knew your intention, and you are so correct---it's much better than any of the others you looked at. The quote you chose has always been one of my favorites.

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  8. scrappyjackyJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:26 AM

    What a great word for you,Rinda....and it definately is prettier than its alternatives.

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  9. CheriJanuary 4, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    That is an interesting and unusual word choice (by unusual, I mean unique... don't think you'll find many other OLW'ers sharing your choice) but I do think it is PERFECT for you this year and obviously a lot of thought went into the choice.

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  10. ElizabethJanuary 4, 2013 at 7:27 AM

    Paramount is a good word. I couldn't come up with a word that meant something to me. I'm still thinking.

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  11. SianJanuary 4, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    What a great word for rolling round the tongue - it starts well, it ends smartly: I like it!

    I haven't decided on a word yet. Better get a move on I think..

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  12. ComfyMom~StaceyJanuary 4, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    What a lovely page! Great word as well.

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  13. AlisonJanuary 4, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    What a wonderful word....in meaning AND in sound! ....love the artwork too!
    Alison xx

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  14. DebbieJanuary 4, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    What a great word! My head is spinning with possible words so far. I don't know if I can choose just one. I've never tried this idea, but I'm thinking of trying it out. It has to be the right word, though, so I'm not going to rush choosing it.

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  15. Jo MurrayJanuary 4, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Paramount...a good word Rinda... I could use it as a title for a collage, if you'd let me.

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  16. GlorV1January 4, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    Actually I don't have a word Rinda, but paramount is a very good word. Happy New Year! If I had to choose one word, hmmmm, perhaps, "HouseWork," tee hee so that I can do more of it. lol.:)

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  17. wednesdayJanuary 4, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    What a terrific word to choose. I really like it's meaning and it's relation to your life and your family.

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  18. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2013 at 2:41 PM

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  19. Mary C. NasserJanuary 4, 2013 at 3:48 PM

    I love your one little word choice for 2013, and your artwork of it, too!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  20. Linda KunsmanJanuary 4, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    that's a wonderful word choice and your art gos hand in hand with that and your quote!! I chose 2 words-action and empowerment.Happy PPF!

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  21. Carola BartzJanuary 4, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    You've chosen a great word, Rinda. I also like your art journal page that goes with it. Very fitting.
    My word for 2013 is "grow".

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  22. laurieJanuary 5, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    your word is very fitting and will serve as an inspiration to you: the climb may have some difficult moments but the view will be priceless and worth every step.

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  23. MelissaJanuary 5, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    What a fantastic word - looking forward to seeing how it helps you focus on the most important things this year.

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  24. UnknownJanuary 6, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    Great word and a super quote to go with it. My OLW for 2013 is Embrace.

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  25. UnknownJanuary 6, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    What a great word, and I love your explanation and seeing how it fits into your life. My word is 'Seek' and it has grown out of last years word 'Pursue'. In fact I did a similar exercise to you, looking at a thesaurus and 'feeling' the words.

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  26. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2013 at 10:50 AM

    What a wonderful word and so much better than prioritize. Good idea thinking of that thesaurus.

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