#Word365

In 2020 I chose inspire, in 2021 it was adventure, and in 2022 it was look again.

So I thought long and hard about my Word of The Year for 2023. Was there anything in 2022 which had gone well, which might be a starting point for my theme? It was pretty obvious really...

Since January, I have been exchanging a parcel of stitching each month with Kirsten. It has become my standard answer when anyone asks me what craft work I am currently working on "Oh, I'm doing a collaborative needlework project with another blogger from Sussex" I say [It sounds much more classy than 'me and my mate send bits of linen through the post to each other"] K&I barely knew each other before this began, but over the year have become good friends [yet to meet in person]

But the whole sharing and working together has made the project brilliant. I know we have picked up techniques, and exchanged ideas. The dictionary defines collaboration as "the action of working with someone to produce something"

I found this 

Seven Keys to Creative Collaboration

• It's voluntary. [Forced collaboration isn't collaboration]
• People are dependable
• There's trust and vulnerability
• The structure is loose  - but there is a structure
• We share a vision
• The ability to not always take things seriously
• We embrace candour and conflict.

Our "Postcard Project" has certainly revealed many of these things [fortunately no conflict]

Like cogs working together, there must be planning, support, help, trust, teamwork and togetherness if a collaboration is to achieve success. And like the cogs in a well-oiled machine, there are times when one will carry a bigger load, another will spin faster, and yet another may feel they are going in the opposite direction - but if all mess smoothly as they should , things will work.

Already this year I have found situations where I am needing to collaborate with others

• with friends at church as we plan for another Holiday Club [even in retirement, this is on the calendar for Bob and myself] We will collaborate to make it the best we can,
• as we seek to help an elderly neighbour, we are collaborating with friends and family members to support her through a difficult patch
• obviously we collaborate with our daughters as they are seeking to be good parents to our four darling grandchildren. Not to tell them what to do, judge their parenting styles, or burden them with unworkable advice- but to be there to help when needed. Hilary Clinton's book "It takes a Village" [to raise a child] made the point that it is hard work bringing up little ones, and we all have a responsibility.

There will be other timers, other opportunities for collaboration I am sure.

Bob and the girls will tell you that I am an independent, often obstinate woman - reluctant at times to accept the help I'm offered "No I can do it myself!" I need to learn to collaborate more, to share the load. "Teamwork makes the dream work, Grandma" says Rosie.

Let's see where this one takes us...

There's still time to comment on the 4000000 Giveaway post!