My focus for the New Year
I enjoy the beginning of the year. It’s like a fresh page full of possibility. I used to make resolutions but I’ve never been good at following through with them. That’s partly because I don’t like to feel pressured to do something and I naturally rebel againist rules. Resolutions feel like pressure and rules to me.
This year after reading about Chris Brogan’s 3 words, I felt inspired to choose 3 words to help focus my 2011. My 3 words for this year? Art. Health. Stillness.
- Art: Visiting Rome, Provence and Paris in 2009 gave me a new appreciation of art. I had never been so immersed in it and I felt more alive. This year, I want to learn about it and absorb it as much as I can. I feel like such a late bloomer in this area. It seems to me that art has a language. I want to learn that language. This year I hope to be more “art-full“.
- Health: I want to choose health not just physically but emotionally, spiritually, mentally and relationally as well. As I encounter daily opportunities, I want to ask myself, “In this situation, what is healthy?”. I don’t think this will be black and white. In it’s purist sense, this is about boundaries. I, by the way, naturally rebel against bondaries, too. I know all too well, though, that without them I’m like a goldfish out of the bowl – sucking air. So, this year, I hope to be healthy.
- Stillness: Being still implies rest, quiet, meditation, prayer….stopping. I want less busyness and mindless distraction and more of just being. You’ve heard the line, “wherever you are, be there”. That’s what I’m going for this year and letting myself stop enough to feel pain and discomfort. That’s the path to healing and to the Healer. This year I hope to be still.
Be Art-Full. Be Healthy. Be Still.
What are your 3 words?
Sister Wendy Beckett is a great place to start for art appreciation. She is a art historian and a comtemplative nun. I enjoy her immensly! Also check out the Crocker Art if you haven't already. Being still and art appreciation began for me last summer, continues on this year. I have always loved art, but enjoy it more now that I have a Father-in-law who is an artist.
Lynette, thank you so much for your encouragement. I will definitely check out Sister Wendy Beckett =). I've been to the Crocker a few times but not since the remodel. We are hoping to get down there within the next two weeks and maybe, if time allows, I may sign up for one of their classes.
I love your three words–very inspiring!! I pray for great success! So, you have inspired me to follow through on the same concept: Word 1, Dream–I used to do this often, but somewhere along the line I stopped doing this and starting focusing almost exclusively on duty, responsibility, "now." I want to dream more this year! Word 2, Appreciation–I want to find, feel, and express more contentment for my place, but especially to express openly and often just how much, and why, I appreciate the special people in my life. Word 3, Joy–I want so much to focus less on what bothers me, what saddens me, and delight in God's glory and grace, to let go of the "downers" in my life, offer them to Him, and just be Joy-full!! Hey, this is fun! Thanks, my friend!
Thank you, Pam, for sharing and visiting my blog. Your words – dream, appreciation, joy – I love it! We should touch base throughout the year and compare notes on how it's going with our "words".
Good words, Jenny. I look forward to hearing more about your journey with art, health, and stillness this year. Today's post on my blog talks about the words for my 2011. Happy New Year, lady!
Thank you, Doodah! I truly appreciate your visit and following along. I'm headed over to your blog now…. =)