Saturday, June 28, 2008

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.

3 comments:

  1. I too was was directed to Christine Kane's blog and chose a word, so I'm particularly interested to to see what others have achieved from this way of thinking.

    You chose a BIG word - there is a safetynet in 'becoming', there is no end, no need for evidence. 'Fruition' on the otherhand seems very demanding, but it sounds like you have more than met those demands. I wish you well for seconf half of the year.

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  2. A nice post and a good reminder to visualize and announce our deepest desires. Then watch them unfold. We have to do some of the foot work, but also need to step back and let the Universe work it's magic.
    Realize that we already embody our deepest desires. That they are not 'out there', but within.
    Thank you!

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  3. I like your comment about moving from Becoming to Being. I've found that my perspective on life and art has changed in a similar manner. I used to title all my journals with the word Becoming...looking for some future moment when all is right in my life. But over the past couple years, I've begun practicing mindfulness and living in the present moment. It's far more rewarding to Be in the present moment then to constantly worry about what I am Becoming.

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