My "one word" for 2018 was JOURNEY, which I divided into two primary focus areas: FAITH and CREATIVITY. Looking back at my journey through the past year, I can note some successful times and some not-so-successful times. Of the 12 books I had selected for my FAITH journey, I only managed to read four. A few of the others are begun, but not finished, so for 2019, I am going to reevaluate the selection and continue the journey. To keep myself on track, I'm going to block out 30 minutes every morning before I open a digital device or pick up a paintbrush. For me, it isn't enough to "just read"; I need to actively do something with the reading, so as part of the 30 minutes, I'm going add a quick journal entry to respond to what I have read each day. My CREATIVITY journey went considerably better. I began taking watercolor class through the local community college in February and returned for the fall semester in August after a summer break. I'm signed up to return in two weeks and have even added a second painting class for this coming semester. In addition, I've taken online classes and workshops on Skillshare and other sites, as well as started teaching my own Skillshare classes. To keep myself on the CREATIVITY journey path, I've joined The Circle, a six-month online community of artists led by Carrie Brummer of Artist Strong. I've taken two of her short online workshops and really like the way she encourages artists and helps them wherever they are on their creative journey. So for 2019, my "one word" is CONTINUE. I have an unfinished JOURNEY to explore more of my FAITH and to add to my adventures in CREATIVITY. How about you? Do you choose a "one word" for the year, or are you a "New Year's Resolution" planner? Leave a comment here or chime in on Instagram, Whatever your preference, have a very Happy New Year!Do you agree? Some days I think I do, others not at all. Maybe it depends on the why I'm creating whatever is on my easel or table top. And very likely, it also depends on what I'm planning to do with that creation.Call it insecurity...call it fear of rejection...it's all part of that feeling of not being good enough, whatever that means. That's why I've chosen CREATIVITY , along with FAITH, as the two paths I'm determined to follow on my 365 day JOURNEY around the sun this year.I'm setting aside every Wednesday for CREATIVITY... trying new techniques, exploring new materials, and just taking the time for PLAY!In the coming weeks, I'll share a few of my playful journeys in creativity, both the successes and the less successful endeavors.
I am a fallen away reader... The little girl who once loved to spend long afternoons curled up with Nancy Drew and her best friend, Bess, solving mysteries and having amazing adventures, has morphed into a grown woman with too many distractions and too little time at the end of the day to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book. It's time for a new direction! I have declared 2018 the year for a JOURNEY... |
Word of the Year...2015 |
I first heard about the Word of the Year as we were rounding the corner into 2015. At the time, I was just beginning to explore my options for life and work after my eventual retirement after 40 years of full-time teaching.
The idea of focusing on just one idea for an entire year seemed to make sense. At the time, I was struggling to maintain a balance between my personal life and my work life. And my personal life was suffering the most.
Sometimes you just know that you need to put more effort into making time to take care of yourself...exercise, healthy meals, time with family and friends, and a decent bedtime. This was one of those times for me.
Although I wasn't totally successful, and there were periods of time when I gave up on the idea completely, I did like the idea. So when 2016 rolled around, I was ready for a fresh start.
Word of the Year... 2016
In December of 2015, I had just finished reading posts from the website "Becoming Minimalist" by Joshua Becker, and was inspired by his lifestyle dedicated to living with less in order to enjoy life more. Of course, inspiration and action are two entirely different things, at least in my world!
Although my closets are a little less full, my kitchen has fewer unnecessary gadgets and utensils, and I have made cooking meals easier by having a rotation of family favorites, I cannot claim to having fully embraced the idea of minimalizing or simplicity, even after two rounds of
participating in Joshua's Uncluttered course!
Although my closets are a little less full, my kitchen has fewer unnecessary gadgets and utensils, and I have made cooking meals easier by having a rotation of family favorites, I cannot claim to having fully embraced the idea of minimalizing or simplicity, even after two rounds of
participating in Joshua's Uncluttered course!
Word of the Year...2017...Third time's charmed?
This post appeared in my Facebook feed several weeks ago. At the time, I thought...hmmm....maybe ENOUGH should be my Word of the Year for 2017. After all, I certainly have enough stuff in my closets and cabinets...enough money to pay my bills and still have a little leftover for the fun things in life...enough love and friendship...and I have a hard time remembering all of that when I have an opportunity to add just "one more thing" to my very busy life.
But ENOUGH just didn't resonate with me... a bland word...a word that implies standing still...not making changes...not doing things differently. I wanted...needed... more...
But ENOUGH just didn't resonate with me... a bland word...a word that implies standing still...not making changes...not doing things differently. I wanted...needed... more...
And then I found it!
Since July, I've been a member of the Sunday Society, a group of amazingly creative women in business, led by April Bowles-Olin, author of the blog Blacksburg Belle. Our end of the year challenge was to reassess our lives and businesses as we lived them in 2016 and plan ahead for success in 2017.
One of the exercises in our planner was to go through a list of words and circle the ones that resonated with us most. As I did this, the one that jumped out at me was MINDFUL. At first, I didn't circle it, but I found myself drawn back to it after several days had passed, so I knew in my heart that this was it!
In a way, mindfulness (or the lack of it!) is most likely what kept me from achieving my goals of finding BALANCE and SIMPLICITY the previous two years...my a-ha moment!
So for the next 365 days, my challenge-to-self will be to practice mindfulness in my daily life. To remain in the present instead of constantly looking backward and regretting decisions made in the past. To remain in the present a little bit longer instead of moving full speed ahead into the future before the present has been savored and lived.
Since July, I've been a member of the Sunday Society, a group of amazingly creative women in business, led by April Bowles-Olin, author of the blog Blacksburg Belle. Our end of the year challenge was to reassess our lives and businesses as we lived them in 2016 and plan ahead for success in 2017.
One of the exercises in our planner was to go through a list of words and circle the ones that resonated with us most. As I did this, the one that jumped out at me was MINDFUL. At first, I didn't circle it, but I found myself drawn back to it after several days had passed, so I knew in my heart that this was it!
In a way, mindfulness (or the lack of it!) is most likely what kept me from achieving my goals of finding BALANCE and SIMPLICITY the previous two years...my a-ha moment!
So for the next 365 days, my challenge-to-self will be to practice mindfulness in my daily life. To remain in the present instead of constantly looking backward and regretting decisions made in the past. To remain in the present a little bit longer instead of moving full speed ahead into the future before the present has been savored and lived.
What about you? What works in your life?
Are you a resolutions maker?
Or a Word of the Year fan?
I'd love to hear from you, so leave a comment!
Meanwhile, Happy New Year to you!