One Decision Down...A Thousand More to Go...

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Okay - so I'm being a little histrionic.  I don't have a thousand decisions to go - but I'm trying to take stock and make my MUST List in the next 26 days.  Not such a big deal - right?  One of the big things weighing on my mind has been this blog - should I keep it up or not?  The question I've been pondering has been whether this little spot of mine has value.  Value - what a great word to focus on for a year.  I've been reading about successful blogging and honestly it's been effing with my head.  I keep on thinking about audience, point of view, and presenting something new and innovative.  I think I've finally realized I'm not being gentle enough with myself.  I love this space.  I have a hard time keeping it going in an authentic, organic way during the school year - but it's important to me and I need to make time for it.  It doesn't have to perfect...  

I just finished The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and realized writing is a passion of mine.  Blogging is one of my passions.  I love the opportunity to express how I feel and where I'm at in my crafting journey.  It's important to ME - which gives it value.  So one decision down - blog will stay (for now).  I've already made a few face lifts.  The next 26 days will be about really nailing down what I want the focus to be on this little space of mine.  Hopefully it will include regular posts and some commentary on my foray into art journaling and mixed media.   I already have some ideas percolating for upcoming posts and am pretty excited.  So that's really it for now.  Double arm pump to Gretchen Rubin for helping me start to think about what really matters despite the ill feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Time to hit the road.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday! Until then...

BTW: Be looking for posts on my favorite CHA products, online classes I'm currently taking, my reading pledge, and more.  I'm getting a little excited.   

Nourish ~ Forgiveness

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It's been one of those weeks when I'm wondering when the eff the referee is going to ring the bell and the fight will be over.  I'm tired of being relentlessly hit in the junk.  And then I remember...there are many things to be thankful for and sometimes letting go is the only way to move forward.  Sometimes...

~winning is just showing up~

I heard Brene' Brown say this on a podcast yesterday and I felt a little spot open in my soul...It's so true.  Sometimes - winning is just showing up.  There are so many little nuggets I wanted to share from my listenings this week - but it's time to head out.  It's time to show up.  I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday.  Until then...

Nourish: Wholeheartedness

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It should come as no surprise that I have a deep love for Ali Edwards and the many principles she has brought to the craft of storytelling.  When I started scrapbooking - there were two books that stood out to me in a little store in Burbank (now closed) - A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking by Ali and Clean and Simple Scrapbooking - The Sequel by Cathy Zielske.  At the time, it was a "safe" way to be creative.  It was an opportunity for a journaling girl with bad hands to continue to tell her story.  I had no idea it would be a life changer.

Almost six and a half years later - I know only one thing for sure - telling my story in a visual way has changed my life.  It has changed the way I see the world - how I shape my experiences.  It reminds me to go out there and live.  It has helped me navigate the course of chronic illness and debilitating moments of sadness and loss without looking for the nearest emergency exit.  It has also been instrumental in celebrating the moments that give life true meaning - the births of babies, retirements, family functions, and the list goes on.  It has also helped me document the everyday - which in so many ways is more powerful than the big, monumental parts of my life.  It has helped me to see the small things that really do make life big.

Sometime last year - I started seeing a book by Brene' Brown cropping up all over scrapping blogs.  The book, The Gifts of Imperfection, was recommended by my beloved scrapbooker and written by a social worker.  Being a social worker myself and loving the aforementioned scrapbooker - I broke down and bought the book some time in March around the time of my unraveling.  I am so glad I did.  I would love to put into words what the book meant to me - but I know there are none that would give credence or justice to my experience.  I went on to buy Brown's previous book - another game changer.  I'm considering making these books annual reads - but for today - I thought I would link to a few of her speaking engagements and blog.  I hope you enjoy them.  I hope you go out and buy or borrow these books.  I hope they bring more meaning and hope to your life.

• TEDxKC - Brene' Brown - The Price of Invulnerability
• TEDxHouston - Brene' Brown - The Power of Vulverability
• Brene' Brown Interview on PBS's Living Smart with Patricia Gras

Brene' Brown got me on the path of embracing my imperfection and vulnerabilities.  She got me to start thinking about wholehearted living.  And just today...she reminded me to be present - to refrain from numbing the pain.  I want to nourish this message in my life.  I hope everyone has had a lovely Tuesday.  Blessings all around.  Until then...

Happy New Year & OLW 2012 Redux

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Happy New Year!  I know that today is not the new year in all cultures - so that statement is directed to those celebrating the same calendar year as myself.  This is totally the social worker in me talking and stalling all at the same time...

I'm rethinking my One Little Word for this year.  It's a funny thing.  I was lying in bed this morning - listening to Sex and the City 2 while surfing the net on my iPad - when I realized I don't know if I like my word.  Renew is a beautiful word - for someone.  However, it's not the action word I want at this time.  So I headed over to Ali Edwards's blog to see if she had compiled a list of words yet (she usually does each year).  There wasn't a list yet - but there are tons of comments and the first word jumped out at me....

~nourish~

I saw this word and knew immediately it was it.  I feel a little bad changing it to the FIRST word I saw - but that's life.  When something fits - it just fits.  So there it is...my word for 2012 (at least my word for the moment).  So what sold me on this word - well the definition and the many things I want to nourish in my life right now (more on that to come as the year unfolds).

In many ways, I thought I needed something of a rebirth this year.  However, this morning I was thinking about something my mother loves to say..."When you know better, you do better."  I think it's a wonderful theory - beautiful really.  Unfortunately it means absolutely nothing in the real world.  I know a lot of things - I don't do a lot of them.  For example, I know making raw cookie dough two or three times a week and eating it as dessert is bad and will lead to an untimely death.  That in no way stops me from making the dough and stuffing my face with it.  So in actuality - I don't need to renew which in some ways seems so passive to me.  I need to nourish the things that matter to me this year - the things I know I need and want to do better.  And there it is.  Serendipity - being on the right blog, reading the right comment, at exactly the right moment.  Love it.  

Here's hoping everyone is having a wonderful day!  Until then...

OLW & Inspiration

One Little Word is in full swing over at Ali's blog and it's got me thinking about the word I will be choosing for this upcoming year.  My word last year was mindful.  I made a late choice after trying the word balance for a month.  I will be continuing to keep this word close to my heart - however it's time to move to something new.  Here are the current words in the running with their definitions...

This is my favorite by far...

RE·NEW  [ri-noo, -nyoo]  Show IPA

verb (used with object)

1.

to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.

2.

to make effective for an additional period: to renew a lease.

3.

to restore or replenish: to renew a stock of goods.

4.

to make, say, or do again.

5.

to revive; reestablish.

6.

to recover (youth, strength, etc.).

7.

to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.

These are some other words I've been throwing around...

cul·ti·vate 

 [kuhl-tuh-veyt]  Show IPA

verb (used with object), -vat·ed, -vat·ing.

1.

to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.

2.

to use a cultivator  on.

3.

to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) bylabor and attention.

4.

to produce by culture: to cultivate a strain of bacteria.

5.

to develop or improve by education or training; train;refine: to cultivate a singing voice.

6.

to promote the growth or development of (an art, science,etc.); foster.

7.

to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).

8.

to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).

9.

to seek the acquaintance or friendship of (a person).

nur·ture 

 [nur-cher]  Show IPA verb, -tured, -tur·ing,noun

verb (used with object)

1.

to feed and protect: to nurture one's offspring.

2.

to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster: to nurture promising musicians.

3.

to bring up; train; educate.

It's a funny thing but just seeing those definitions (from dictionary.com) helps me immensely.  So drumroll please (from the beastly kitty known as Rooba)...my word for the year will be....

RENEW

It fits so well and it's been the front runner for some time.  I'm incredibly excited.  Moving on...I signed up for three classes at Big Picture Classes in the last 48 hours.  I know I must be stopped.

Move More, Eat Well 2012

Journey to Happiness

One Little Word 2012      I think Ali looks gorgeous in her picture.  I like the bangs and longer hair.  I'm so excited about these three clases and have just added one more to my wish list.  It comes from the creators of Brave Girls Club and fits well with the first class from Cathy Zielske... Body Restoration Class Link I also have every intention of signing up for this class at the end of January... The Curious Scrapbooker's Field Guide      I'm so excited about the class offerings floating around the net right now.  I also love the price point on classes sponsored by Big Picture Classes.  Depending on the teacher...they're a lot of bang for your buck. So I want to leave you with one more thing...check out Radvent on Princess Lazertron's blog for some great ideas for journaling, scrapping, art making, etc.  So inspiring.  And with that...I'm out.  Here's hoping you had or are having a happy holiday.  Blessings all around.  Until then... BTW: All BPC class pictures can be found on their website at www.bigpictureclasses.com.