Here is the basic edit I did for the I Heart Faces editing challenge today. It didn't seem to have any major problems, so it only took a few steps...

I also did a black and white version.  Here are the easy steps (in Photoshop Elements):

I tried something new last year...in fact, I tried a lot of new things.  As I was reflecting over the past year and looking ahead to make my plans, I remembered the experiment I tried last New Year, and realized that it had actually worked!  I read about the One Little Word project on  Kim Klassen's  photo/textures blog.  If you are interested in learning more about the origins, I believe it came from Ali Edwards.
For those of you who weren't around here then, my word for last year was 'stretch.' Not the most glamorous choice, but very fitting for my year. 

You see, I cannot make resolutions. I have a horrible fear of commitment, and a tendency toward perfectionism. I can get over-involved in elaborate plans for my year, then beat myself up mentally for failing to follow through. But I can use a word to help remind me where I want to go throughout the year. I would have liked a prettier word that would make a lovely calendar page or something, like 'believe' or 'grow'. But, I eventually came to not only accept my word, but to embrace it, and incorporate stretching into my thought-patterns. 

Did all of my stretches turn into golden trophies of victory? Um-no. Some bombed pretty big. But I was still successful, because I had done what I set out to do, which was stretch beyond my comfort zone.  I stepped out on a lot of limbs, and I feel really proud of that today!

Sooo, this year's word? I pondered this while in the shower (which is where I do my best thinking-possibly because it is the only time I am alone for long!) And I tried on a few words for size. Integrity. Discipline. Plan. None were quite what I was trying to reach. I need to focus in a little more, but still keep taking action. "Intentional" came pretty close. But, in the end, the word became "step." 

Step means focusing on the next thing to do.  Not snoozing or hiding. Not a leap, or a fling. 
   
just. 
     the. 
         next.  
               step.

I have heard that God does not show us miles down the road, but only the next step we should take. I will be trusting that each step is guided, even if I can't see exactly where I am going.  

Steps also seem to be orderly, which is an aspect I desperately need in my life right now. Chaos reigns often in the Barber world, and a little order would be very welcome.

Baby steps. I will put one foot in front of the other, and hopefully be able to look back on an amazing journey a year from today.