And So The Adventure Begins....Again
9:19 AM |
| Christmas Clean Up Watercolor and Copic Marker 5.5 x 5.5 inches Pineapple Journal |
A long time ago, when I first started the blog, I promised myself it would have a positive vibe, never be negative. If it was ever negative, it had to be funny. (I did not realize what a tall order I had set for myself.)
Hopefully this is gonna be a funny post cause, well, because. You'll figure it out.
I cannot possibly tell you in a few words how glad I am to see the last of 2012. I typically spend the last month of the year thinking through accomplishments, missed goals and getting a picture of where I want to go in the new year.
Did. Not. Happen.
I have purposely not dwelled on the year because well...let's just be frank for a minute and say, "it sucked."
From the first month to the last, it was one of the worst years I've had in a long, Long, LONG time. Blech.
My word of the year for 2011 was Revel. And oh, let me tell you, I reveled. In something you would hate to get on the bottom of your shoe!
When I chose Revel, I thought of reveling in happiness, creativity, and success. The joke, it seems, was on me.
Okay. Done. Year OVER.
_________________
Do you get all gooey with excitement at the end of the year and the beginning of a—fresh, unstained, pristine, sparkly, bright—new year?
No, me either.
Kidding.
Yeah, I do. Call me foolish, but I find myself flush with the possibilities and opportunities that the new year holds. All manner of things that have never been.
I also recognize a tempering of my hope. Maybe a bit of caution that has not been there as it was in prior years. Perhaps because I am dragging some unfinished business (like a truly nasty cold) into the new year.
The cold will resolve itself...eventually. The other unfinished business? Not so easy.
I find myself moving forward with more thought as to where I'm going and what I want to accomplish. And while it may seem excruciatingly slow to you, I ask for your patience.
Classes and trips will all be posted soon and all manner of good things will happen.
But this time, as much as I can, I want to make sure I am going where I need to go, want to go and to accomplish what I want and need to accomplish.
And hopefully, by the end of this year, I'll be looking back thinking, "well done."
What are your plans for the new year? Any new art projects or ideas going on?
37 Creative Thought(s)
I have lots of ideas. I am trying to FOCUS on the positive. FOCUS on projects I want to accomplish. Not looking back at 2012 either. These first few days of 2013 haven't improved any but I am FOCUSing on the positive.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Lisa—I intend to FOCUS forward since 2013 is not off to a stellar start. Maybe we can keep each other on track!
ReplyDeleteAnne Lamont recently wrote that we all deserve Merit Badges for surviving 2012.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I think Anne's on to a grand idea! I feel like I need some kind of proof that I survived the year. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh Laure, I'm so sorry to hear about your annus horibilis! You have been hiding the wretchedness very well, and have come over all positive and bubbly. But I guess we all have that black dog at our sides that Winston Churchill wrote about and that he (Noble Price winner, head of state, one of the most influential men of his time) still had to keep quiet with rivers of whisky. I sincerely hope your black dog stays very small this year. Can it help if I tell you that you mean a lot to people all over the world, who have learned to enjoy their art thanks to your kind and expert teachings? That your Christmas gift was heart-warming and brought real joy to me - as it doubtlessly did to many others? That I - and lots of others - admire your spirit, your generosity, your being you?
ReplyDeleteSo my very very best wishes for a kinder 2013 - and do be as kind to yourself as you are to others, and view yourself in as positive a light as you always let shine on us!
Thank you, Mo! Your words touch my heart. Churchill is correct in his assessment of a black dog. And whereas drink has been considered, I figure it's also not my answer. It would only bring on my problems.
DeleteFor now, it's one foot forward at the time, one minute, one hour, one day at the time and eventually, I'll find my way out of this....darkness.
Again, thank you.
Maybe you didn't get done all that you wanted. We never do, do we? And when our plates are full and the unexpected pops up,it tends to be our own projects that don't get done.
ReplyDeleteI hope new year is kinder to you ... focus on the important.
And know you blog is full of good thoughts to ponder on. Thank you!
Thanks, Elva. It goes far beyond not accomplishing what I wanted, but there are lessons to learned regardless. I too hope for a kinder, happier year. It is what I intend to make happen.
DeleteI agree with Monique when she says you hid the wretchedness well and that you mean so much to so many people. I hope things start looking up for you very VERY soon, like maybe right now.
ReplyDeleteInteresting observation, Cheryl, as I thought the world could surely see it. Thanks for the kindness, and yeah, right now would be good. ;)
DeleteGood luck for a happier & more enjoyable time in the year ahead ! Ali x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ali!
DeleteLaure I'm with you on the positive side of blogging - it really is a joy to come to your blog and soak up your creativity. I've never been one to hold onto a 'word' for the new year, or even a 'goal' -- I just strive to do it better than the last if it's ever possible. More than anything what I need to keep reinforcing in my head is 'not to procrastinate'! (Now that's not meant to be a negative comment either). Let's just say it's a positive one because I recognize it and strive to make changes. Keep up your wonderful blogging; I love it
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carole! That may be the best way to approach this—just keep on keepin' on.
DeleteIts funny but I never have done words or goals or thought of my life in terms of one year at a time. It doesn't matter if its 1999 0r 2013 its on going and if I don't get something done yesterday then there is today. I just do the best today I can no matter what year it is. Hope you get thru the mean reds ..from the movie Breakfast At Tiffany's. :) You have inspired me to do the watercolor and ink journaling and cards I got into..so we love your inspiration! :)
ReplyDeleteCris, I suspect my word-of-the-year phase is over and I'll just work on the goals that I have. I'll get through the mean reds, no doubt. Thanks for your kind words!
DeleteHow many times has the tune and the words gone through my head "One day at a time sweet Jesus, that's all that I'm asking of you?"and why? Because sometimes thinking about too many days ahead that weren't going right couldn't be faced with the proper attitude! I tried doing new resolutions and hopeful words but I think think I live too much" out there" somewhere as they are forgotten immediately. I think taking it one day at a time is enough for anyone; try it rather than looking ahead at a whole year. If today goes well then we can look forward to tomorrow and if it doesn't, we can be glad tomorrow is a new day!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the past year was a tough one for many so yes, let's hope this year is as full of good things as last year wasn't. Here's hoping it all comes together for you this year!
Great approach, Timaree! Perhaps I should give it a whirl!
DeleteI forgot to mention the cheese spreaders came out super! Love the shine and shadows. I feel like I could pick one up!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was a fun quick capture. I should have gone a little lighter on the blades, but it works.
DeleteI honestly can't tell you where my 2012 went .... it literally disappeared and I don't know where it went!! I had been craving doing some 2012 reflection and intentional looking ahead to 2013 -- but I never found any time for it. I feel I somewhat cheated myself by not doing more reflection in 2012 with my word "Sparkle". I must have been in a fog during the year rather than sparkling. Well.... picking myself up for a new year, I'm going to give "Sparkle" another shot and try to be more focused, intentional, and aware in 2013 ... and sparkle more! Keeping my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a better year in 2013 too!
The days are long, but the years are quick....I hope you get your sparkle on and stay that way the whole year through!
DeleteI too purposefully didn't give 2012 any thought. I don't desire to look back but truly hope I will be able to look back at 2013 with a smile and say it went well! I wish the same to you and everyone!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Mamta, I know you struggled in 2012 too....let's rock 2013 and put the bad stuff behind us!
DeleteI totally agree with Monique. She said it so very well. You have been such an inspiration to all of us and never did I see that black dog lurking. Long ago I gave up expectations for the 'new year' as I always seem to set my goals too high and too broad. I try to just take it as it comes. I will be turning 65 in a few weeks and that has given me great pause for thought about where I want my life to go.
ReplyDeleteI think the 24 hour news cycle has done great harm to most of the nation causing us to be negative about all aspects of the world. It makes me feel hopeless and helpless for the future.
We have basically turned off the TV and radio at my house except for movies and documentaries occasionally. I hope that will help curb with my cynicism.
I do wish you and everyone a prosperous, healthy year ahead and the strength to meet any joys and sorrows with grace and humility. Looking forward to traveling with all of you again.
Clare, I'm with you...I don't watch or read a lot of news and the only time I listen to the radio is when I'm in a car. If the news comes on, I tend to flip to another channel. I seldom watch TV anymore either.
Delete2013 will be a better year. I'm planning on making it so. Thanks for the kind words.
I personally award you an invisible merit badge for surviving. 2012 was not a good year for many, including us. I love the harmony and balance I've seen in life - when things are really bad, I know the REALLY good things can't be far behind. Somewhere. Maybe the bad things push us in new directions we'd never think of otherwise.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration! Your work is wonderful, and you always have thoughtful comments and encouragement for those of us struggling to put our visions on paper. Now maybe it's our turn to tell you how much you mean to the art and online artist world. You are important, creative, persistent, uplifting, (did I say inspiring?, sharing, and imaginative in your approach.
Wear your merit badge proudly. ;)
Thank you, Elizabeth, I shall wear it with pride!! Seriously, thanks for the kind words...I could have easily written them about you.
DeleteI know it will improve as that's what I'm focused on creating.
laure, 2012 is gone and 2013 is in front of us now, i think is very very important to focus in this present, in this NOW, today is the step, the force and the joy you can put in the problems to solve. you´re a very nice woman, inspiring people every day with your beautiful art, i think if you can feel their good wwishes to you (me included)coud be easy the path to solutions (cause very few things dont have any)
ReplyDeletemy best for you and let me tell you i was missing you!
Thanks, Vivi, I totally agree. The way forward is now and is in the focus on the positive.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to read of your looong crappy year.....for some years this has been a favorite quote of mine, Winston Churchill said it:
ReplyDelete"If you're going through hell, keep going."
It's helped me to plod along.....may I add (well, here it goes anyway) almost everyday I stop whatever I'm doing wherever I am, near/just after sunset, to look out the window and watch the sky for a few glorious minutes as the sky changes color into the evening. I take a few deep breaths and remember, the sun comes and goes each day, someone bigger than I am is still in control.
Somedays this really really keeps me sane......
I hope this year is better for you and yours.
Happy "New" Year Laure!
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing us all an easier, healthier and more productive New Year.
I loved the 7 Journaling Hints page that you sent~some VERY good tips in there!!
Your Imaginary Trips in 2012 inspired the heck out of me and I did more painting because of them. You bring together wonderful people who have such a great time painting together! We all need such camaraderie!!
Take us to SANTA FE someday~ in the meantime be well.
Peace to you~
...well said. 2012 was a horrible, horrible year. I feel like a turtle peeking my head out of my shell to see how 2013 will be. I think good...but I'm being cautious...my heads only halfway out!!
ReplyDeletep.s. Matty picked up the worst cold ever last week in Florida. He's back home and is doing much better. If you have what he has....oh no....giving you a big hug!! Take care.
I love your painting. You made the ucky "putting away part" seem fun!
Laure - I hope you're feeling better. You have been such a bright light and inspiration to me! You have no idea what your classes, journalling and support have meant to me in art and in life too! A precious gift that gives me joy, restores my calm and sanity and gives me a real appreciation of the world around me - in a way I never saw it before. I can't wait to start 'travelling' with you and the other artists soon. I'm sorry to say that I don't do much journalling without your inspiration and challenge - so onto 2013!
ReplyDeleteMissing your posts. I hope things are getting off to a better start for you in 2013...
ReplyDeleteLaure, this is a test comment because I have been unable to comment on some Blogger sites like yours for the past few months and I dont want you to think I'm ignoring you.
ReplyDeleteYay at least it worked from my phone!
ReplyDeleteLet's talk!