thrive: a year in review
Last year I chose the word “thrive” and I think I did a *fair* job of it. The definition of thrive is:
1. To make steady progress; prosper.
2. To grow vigorously; flourish
I think that the “steady progress” definitely happened. In gardening, I tend to think of thriving as flowering, and I’m not sure if *that* happened. But I feel like I not only strengthened my roots (digging into this life and discovering all the opportunities that exist right here, right now- creatively, spiritually, soulfully, etc.) but I also built up on that foundation, as well.
My goals last year were to:
- To draw and paint more OUTSIDE the safe boundaries of the art journal.
I didn’t really do this. I did start painting a bit, and towards the end of the year I started making mandalas and painting them. I think I’m moving *towards* it, but not there yet. One thing I’m realizing is that this needs to be an area I approach as a PRACTICE as opposed to something that gets started and completed every time I start and finish a project. I don’t know if that makes any sense. What I mean is that instead of viewing every painting or drawing as an individual work of art, I want to approach it as an ongoing process. Not “a painting” but “I’m painting”.
- To figure out what “being an artist” means and why the heck I am so hesitant to claim that title for myself and really *believe* it.
This is actually happening now. I have to admit, I had a lot of reluctance to read The Artist’s Way- it’s been on my bookshelf for years but only in the fall did I start reading it. And it’s REALLY changed the way I view the whole approach to creativity and being an Artist. I realized that the only way I am going to find the validation I seem to seek as a creative person is to provide it myself. And the only way I can do that is by allowing myself the time and space and energy to create, to honor it when it’s not working, to take breaks, and to figure out my own creative process. This will definitely be something to explore in 2013.
- To expore “The Etsy Shop Thing” and what my resistance is to having my own Etsy shop.
Done! I’m pretty proud of this, although I need to figure out how to balance creative business with creative life.
- To contribute more… to contribute to some sort of creative group project on a regular basis.
Misti actually made this goal come true- she invited me to join her writing at Sprout. I’m truly hoping that I find a creative collaboration (meaning, one art project a week on a common theme or common supply, etc.) to join soon.
- To continue to grow spiritually and philosophically, and to regularly practice gratitude, mindfulness, meditation, and general awareness.
I think I have done a pretty good job at this, even though the meditation thing didn’t come back into my life until the end of the year. I learned a lot, though.
- To read more poetry. Actually, I want to read more, period.
Definitely reading more. Not poetry, though. I feel pretty great about discovering the key to keeping me reading: only read things I enjoy, not just books I get sent for review. And I also needed to learn that it’s okay to finish a book before it’s actually finished (meaning, if I am not enjoying a book- put it aside and move on to the next.) I’m not remotely compelled to read if the book doesn’t interest me.
- To savor. To indulge a tiny bit more.
I did this. Now I think the lesson is to diversify. For instance, I have a washi tape obsession. I also have a tea obsession. If I have a little spending money, my first inclination is to either do a Kiva loan or buy washi or tea. But I realized I needed to also indulge in things that slipped my awareness- beautiful smelling soaps and lotion, a new jacket, new music - not things I automatically would think about, but that make a big difference in daily life.
- To continue to stretch my wings as a gardener.
This kinda makes me laugh because I wound up planning and planting two hummingbird/butterfly gardens! And I took on complicated plants readily.
- To continue to swim daily, and understand that I do it not only for the physical benefits, but also the mental benefits.
This is so true. My hours in the pool everyday are crazy intense sometimes- not only physically, but emotionally. When you are underwater that long, with no distractions, you eventually get held captive by your thoughts. And stuff comes up and out that *has* to be dealt with because there’s nothing else to do!
- To be a good mom, a good partner, a good friend, a good caregiver, a good *person* in the ways that only I can.
This is forever a work in progress, I think.