my word for 2011
I’ve been having some funky negative energy following me around lately and I’m ready to shake it off.
BE GONE yuckiness!!
I’m needing to feel more grounded and really embrace all that is me. The thrifty, casual, vegan, earth loving crafty mom that I am. I’m feeling I need to identify who I am and really FOCUS on all the things that my heart truly loves: my family, my home, my art. When I’m home with my family making thing, my world hums. I love that feeling. But, do not worry. I still get out in the world.
My five focus spots for this year…
* My family of course. As the kids get older, more and more external forces are starting to break in. I feel like I need to really focus on my guys to help them cope with all these external forces that don’t really jive with how we live. Be completely present for them and work together on keeping our family time a priority.
* My home. I say this every year, but I really want to keep my home clutter free. It’s small and space is limited. I love when it’s clean and feels open and light. Everyone seems to functions much better when things are in order and there is less stuff every where.
* My body. Lets face it, I’m not getting any younger. I need to make exercise a priority. I’ve got the eating healthy down pretty well. It’s the moving daily part I need to focus on. Hiking and yoga are my favorite things to do. When I do them, I feel amazing. I’ve got to remember that!
* My art. It’s easy for me to get caught up the internet and what everyone else is doing. It can be down right depressing sending me into an I’m not good enough self-pity party. Although I am so inspired by everyone, I want to slow down and just focus on doing what I love doing. I love the meaningful connections I’ve made and I want to keep that strong and I JUST want to make stuff and not think about it so much. Stop worry so much about what everyone else is doing.
* Lastly, I’ve been reading this quote over and over again, striking a deep chord. It just sums up how I want to journey through this year:
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common–this is my symphony.~ William Henry Channing
Oh I TOTALLY understand the pity party thing. The internet is a wonderful place but it can also send you into an insecure “i’m not as talented” downward spiral.
BUT what I just remind myself of…there are even more people who would kill to even be a 10th as creative as you are so no more pity parties for you (or me)! 😉
that’s a wonderful quote.
I can really relate to the whole “I’m not good enough” ride, that comes when you surf all the amazing artistic blogs and pages out here on the web. I keep telling myself not to pay attention to what anyone else is doing, and just DO.
Here’s to getting back to basics and focusing on ourselves. 🙂
Thank you for this post, I can find myself and my goals/resolutions in your words and the words you quoted. I might want to quote them, too on my blog – if that’s alright with you!
It’s so easy to lose one’s focus, I’m fighting that every day. Reading and re-reading wise words of wiser persons really can help, although I often experience a pang of guilt like “Ah that sounds so true – and today I have been a slob in many ways…again!”. But I feel that this feeling of guilt often is the kick in the pants that I seem to need so desperately!
Your work it’s fantastic, keep on dreaming in new things, you’ll see, you have the gift of being an artist … and it will not stop 🙂 (sorry for my English)
Every day I sing the song Simple Gifts. It reminds me to get back to basics. (Love your focus items! Sounds like you’re on the right track!)
i picked the same word! great minds must think alike. every time i start getting off track (which is pretty much every 5 minutes) i just start chanting ‘focus, focus, you can do this one thing’…good luck and keep us updated on your journey this year.
While I don’t have children at home anymore, everything else you’ve written applies to me. The moving more and getting on with my own art instead of seeing what every one else is doing part. Not that I don’t appreciate what every one is doing, I get a lot of inspiration from the blogs I read. My focus has been off and haven’t been very creative lately. I’m going through the blogs I read and weed out a few … tho not yours. I love your blog!
thanks for the reminder!
Inspiring. 🙂
oh, right there with you on the net time and pity party – that’s my goal too – to back off and produce my own stuff. 🙂
Great word! And how great your wall hanging with the word is. I am going to make something for my wall too, with the word of the year. Good luck focusing on the important!
I’ve been feeling yucky, too. I needed to read that amazing quote. Thanks!!
OMg your art is beautiful.. so happy to hv found you.. i’m in louise’s class with you hugs bonnierose
oh sweet Regina! Wonderful thoughts, and wisdom :o) Thanks for the openess of your heart.I have always found your art and blog so wonderful, and it has motivated me to create, so thank you! You are inpiring others to create (and live healthier too) and you may not even know it. Shake off the yuckies{I prefer to karate kick it to the head! hahaha!}, and remember you are talented and beautiful!! Ps. loved the pomegranite you posted :o) Awesome!
What a truly amazing blog, I’m at work and can’t wait to get home and curl up and read all of it!
this is beautiful. the sentiment, the art, and the prose. thank you. you are an inspiration to others.