This Year's Word: Half Way Point

Way back in January I found a link to Christine Kane's blog post on New Year's Resolutions. Her blog is www.christinekane.com/blog and it's always wonderful to read her wise and humorous takes on living creatively. The post suggested that instead of making the same old resolutions, to try selecting one word as a theme word for the year. The rest of the year all you have to do is hold your word quietly inside and let it guide you to take action.

I thought a lot about The Word. It's always hard for me to pick one of anything and I was tempted to take two, but I relented and chose one that seemed as all-inclusive as any one word could be. I chose the word "fruition" -- which the dictionary defines as "the attainment of anything desired; realization of good results."

For the first month or two, I thought a lot about what desires I might wish to attain, both this year and beyond, and what I truly wish to attract in my life. Here are just a few I came up with by March:

1. Create a strong, expressive body of work.
2. Attract recognition for my art and opportunities to exhibit and sell it.
3. Experience vibrant well-being on every level -- physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual.
4. Create happy memories with family and friends.

Choosing this word has led me to adopt a new mind set. For many years I've always thought of myself in the process of Becoming. I was working hard To Become a good artist. I studied, I worked, I was committed and disciplined. But the word "fruition" to me is a challenge. It is the very image of "Being" -- ripe, succulent, juicy -- harvesting rather than seeding and planting. I have had to acknowledge that I AM a Good Artist. I'll get better, I'll continue to grow, but I Am.

So here we are, halfway through 2008 and all the desires that I have expressed and continue to launch out into the universe are unfolding this year. My first solo exhibition in a gallery, my first sale to a private collection, my first unified body of work are all a cause for celebration. Being invited to sell my work at the gallery shop, being invited to teach locally and inheriting a small nest egg to pay for my studio for the next few years are all amazing manifestations since January.

Sometimes I get tired and feel my spirits droop. Writing these words reminds me of how much abundance there is in my life. I feel youthful, energetic and stimulated intellectually and creatively by my art. My home is beautiful and comfortable, my family and friends are supportive and proud of me. I do what I love and I share that love of creating with others.

So while my branches are producing a banner crop of fruit, here are some of the practices I hope to continue for the rest of 2008:

Anticipate the positive each day and receive it with an open heart.

Pay attention to the inspirations and insights each day brings.

Express appreciation each day.

Move with the current; allow delight and surprise into every day.