2012 - The Year of Change

Here we are in the first month of 2012.

What does it mean? Is the world going to end this year?

Nope.

I have noticed this year that I do seem to be much more introspective, and I don't think it is related to just the beginning of a new year and all that resolution stuff. I can sense some type of difference in how I am viewing my life now and going forward.

The interesting thing is... I have seen it in what other people are doing too. It feels like we are at a critical mass for change. There are old beliefs and "old ways" that are struggling to hold onto control - i.e.: the Tea Party beliefs, ultra conservative viewpoints, and those that look to suppress.

It is an amazing time we are living in right now. I see a lot of good in the world and the critical mass of like minded people wanting to make a change in the world for the better. Maybe it is because we are all more connected now through the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites or maybe most of us have just had enough of old thoughts and stagnating. I think it is a little of both. I find myself thinking more, and more about sharing my thoughts with the world whether through written word or art. I have seen this also in several postings by my friends and family lately. It is pretty awesome.

Our world is changing, no matter how hard some people try to control it. That is what I think 2012 is about - change. I am looking forward to the ride.

Sabatical from Writing

I feel that my pseudo-sabbatical from writing is now finally over. It is hard to believe it's been about four months since my last post, but a lot has gone on since then.

The holidays, were busy, busy, busy. We hosted a Halloween party, which was a total blast, then Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years festivities... I'm finally recovered.

So back to the creative "grindstone", which to me is really not a grindstone, but enjoyable efforts. I have a couple projects in mind right now. I am a Unitarian Universalist, and over the years I have really discovered that I love doing UU themed artwork. So, that will be what I am going to concentrate on in 2010. Plans for new designs for my "Studio Mira" Cafe' Press store is underway. Also, some original artworks to have available on Etsy.

The old creative juices are a flowing, which is a beautiful thing my friends.

Artistic Medium - Top 10 Rules

I struggle sometimes with focusing myself on an artistic medium when I have an idea for a project in my head. Will I get my message across better in a beaded piece of jewelry, a photograph, a drawing, etc....?? Being a project manager by day, I make lists and think about steps that will help me move a project along. The same can go for when I am creating.

Top 10 items to consider with figuring out your medium:

• What medium "speaks" to you at the time and for the message you want to convey?
  
• What is your mood at the time? Do you need something that you get your hands dirty to help you enter the artistic creative state?
  
• Do you want to enjoy the process as much as the outcome? Some mediums are "quicker" for an outcome than others.
• Is the artwork for you or someone else? When it boils down to creating art, it is mostly for the artist, but are you choosing to give as a gift or such?
• Is there a type of medium that gets your creative juices flowing more than others?
  
• Do you want to try something new? Are you willing to learn something new?
  
• Is cost a factor? You don't want to squelch your creativity with trying to create a piece of artwork with wanting to do it in a medium that you can't afford to do it in.
  
• Durability - that may sound weird, but do you want the piece of artwork to be touched, handled, worn?
  
• Have you considered your audience? If you are creating something for a child for instance, you may create in a different medium than you would for an adult.
  
• When you think about creating, what do you think of using as your medium? This is pretty simplistic, but I know when I think about creating art, I have visualize myself doing it.
  

Now go forth and create!

Realization in Life

I have come to realize that the 2 floods Lynn and I experienced one year apart from one another is still affecting me. Labor Day this year was the 3 year anniversary of the first flood. Just like any disaster, natural or otherwise, it is hard for those outside of the event to fathom the long reaching impacts. Post traumatic stress is real - I know.

I think back to that day 3 years ago and even though a lot has occurred since then, my life kind of stopped. It is hard for me to describe what I mean, but it really sums up to the PTS. Before the first flood, I was very involved in my community and church, and that day - it all stopped.

It is hard to write about, but I think it is important to get it out there for healing reasons. It has taken me 3 yrs to do so, but I feel it is time. Moving on is hard, and it really has been slow deliberate baby steps for me. I want those steps to change to strides. So, I am forcing myself to read more on topics that I think will help. And, the next step is involvement. I think it does not help I work from home. Once I get nested in my office for the day, it is hard to leave. That step needs to be taken. I miss volunteering - I miss meeting new people.

Steps into strides...

Where Am I?

I recognized today that during the last month or so, I have been so preoccupied with work project matters, that I have not taken care of my creative and spiritual side. I have kind of broken a vow to myself to be cognizant of when that happens because I was so engrossed with work matters, it was hard to think of anything else. Thankfully, today I had a chance to just "be still" and think. I relish that I was actually able to do that and recognize that work has been overwhelming things lately.

I have a full week off on vacation this week. I am hoping to regain some of the momentum I have lost on beadwork, cooking, writing, and doing other creative endeavors. I also hope to get over to the Zen Buddhist center just right outside of my town. I have been wanting to visit there for quite while now, and I have not taken that step. Just like anything new, it takes me a while to get up the nerve to try it, but I know it will be worth the trip. And, it might open up some new doors for me.

Happiness

A quote I stumbled on today:
"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections." ~Unkown

I have to say, I agree with this for the most part. I think in an a relatively stable existence, with no major life altering situations, this does apply. Thankfully, I am at that point in my life. I feel I can deal pretty well with most of the stuff that is thrown at me. The being happy with where I am at is the part that has to consciously be worked on on a daily basis. I grew up in a household that wasn't necessarily conducive to cultivating personal happiness. The old term "walking on eggshells" really did apply. Now I realize that. It is amazing what maturity can do for someone. I don't look at stuff the same way I did in the past. I can alter my perception and move on the mundane influences.

This is a good thing to remember when being creative. Alter your perception, be happy with where you are at, and don't let the mundane drag down the creative process. Do I beat myself up mentally when I am not being prolific with my creative ventures? Yes. Do I need to or should I? No. It is a matter of moving beyond.

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

I know I have written about this before, but I struggle with other people's bad behavior. I think that most bad behavior stems from control issues. I try to be cognizant of my actions around children especially. I don't understand how a parent can have numerous bad habits or addictions and not see how that may affect their children sometimes both physically and mentally.

I grew up in a household of parental mind games and bad habits. I know for a fact it had an influence me. That is why I think I may write behaviors often because I am hypersensitive to certain behaviors. Both my parents had good qualities like the love of creativity, trying different things in life, lapidary, boating, and rockhounding, but also the shadow side. It was not always peaches and cream growing up. Infidelity, divorce, passive-aggressive mind games also were in the picture. And the "wonderful" Catholic guilt mentality. I have to constantly be cognizant of the passive-aggressive and guilt stuff myself. As I get older, I am even more conscious of it and I work to not do those bad habits myself. So, that is why it tends to come up as a topic sometimes. I think writing about it gets it out there where it is not hiding from reality.

Reality is that yes, bad habits and behaviors are the part of everyone's upbringing, but we have to look at what is the lesson. I learned the behaviors I did not want to follow in my adult life. And, I find myself pondering why people fall into certain habits. Especially those that are hurtful to others or counter-productive in life. To me, that is one of the mysteries of behaviors in the human race.

The draw of beadwork

My drafting table in my office is now cleared off well enough that I can actually do some projects. I made it level, so I am able to do beaded jewelry. I had forgotten how much I enjoy making my own necklaces and bracelets that express my own taste.

And, its different now with making jewelry, when I first started doing bead-work I had very poor supplies. Over the years, my inventory has grown exponentially, and I now have the proper findings and tools to create some quite lovely pieces. I am proud to wear what I have created. I think it helps me express my individuality, which sometimes I feel like I have lost in some circles.

I am glad I found some of myself again.