OBE 2012 – The Year of Inspired Action

I don’t know if I’m actually capable of doing less. It’s not really in my nature to step back and take it easy. But, when I sat down at the end of 2011 to re-evaluate my professional life and what Our Big Earth is to me, I began to realize one thing – that I had stopped feeling super passionate about the daily rigamaroll.

Do they really want another craft? Is it really possible that anyone has made all of the recipes we’ve posted over the years? If you had a peek into our archives you’d find nearly 1,700 stories. That’s a lot of writing. I had become, well, a bit uninspired.

Everyone goes through a time in their business – especially creative people – when you re-evaluate what inspires you, how you can reinvigorate your passion for work and grow stronger in your commitment to community/sense of place. It has taken me a while to come to a place where I can envision the next five years of work in a way that is soulful and significant to my own heart. Now, I’m excited to begin that evolution with all of you.

OBE gave readers and business people the opportunity to tell us what they would like to see from OBE late last year and the results were fantastically inspiring, allowing the crew here to rethink how the team works, advocates, learns and plays as a part of the Comox Valley, British Columbia and Canada.

As a result, the next few months here at Our Big Earth will bring about significant changes, building community one day at a time in small, realistic bites.

The path is clear, but getting there is always a process. Here are some of the things you can expect from OBE in 2012:

1. Fewer posts, better content. Instead of posting 7 days a week, you can now expect to see new, original content on OBE three to five times a week, with more social media activity. Content will focus on current issues effecting families, tools for creating stronger, healthier families, guides for getting out into the community on your own and the occasional craft or recipe. Our new downloads section will grow and you’ll be able to find all kinds of goodness right at your fingertips whenever you need it.

2. Website redesign. You asked for simple, clean and content that is easier to find. We’ll be unveiling a website that does just that in the next month or so.

3. A shift away from editorial toward community. Later this month, OBE will announce its schedule of 10 original events for 2012. We have created a year’s worth of fun, inspiring and warm family events that we will launch in the Comox Valley and beyond this year. These events will be all about you and the content on the website leading up to each celebration will connect you to the community – whether it be right next door or around the world – giving us all the opportunity to build a strong sense of well being, play hard and help the Earth at the same time. OBE will still be collaborating with other local businesses and organizations to support the great events that are already here this year as well. You’ll be able to check out what we’re getting involved in and have a chance to get involved as well.

4. Personal projects. I will be taking on a book project very close to my heart this year as well, collecting and documenting the stories of women who have gone through deep personal loss with their children and the inspired sense of hope that brought them through.

I’m so very excited about the opportunity to take Our Big Earth in this new direction. Have a warm, cozy and happy Sunday.

Tags: Comox Valley, Our Big Earth Media Co.

Category: INSPIRED ACTION, Mom & Dad, Working Moms