Ducks In a Row

Isn't it funny how life changes your vision? This is how it works with me, anyway... I get a vision of what it is I want to do. It's a broad spectrum at first. Then, as I pay attention to the signs, it gets focused in.

I have been planning, getting my ducks in a row. And the focus has been becoming clearer and clearer to me that phase 1 of my plans absolutely must help people with grieving. So off I go.

Phase 1 of my 2011 plan will help people with their grieving process, and it will be unveiled by February. Phases 2- infinity will be carried out afterwards.

2010 taught me more about grieving than anything else. I've seen all the ways people grieve. I've seen grief empower people. I've seen it destroy them. I've seen people drown in it, with no-one reaching out to help them. That just isn't acceptable to me. Grief weakens a person. It can destroy their foundation. I want to give them tools to build that foundation back up. To help them trudge through the muck and come out the other side stronger than before. In 2011, that is what I will do. I will help them to not only survive their grief, but learn from it.

I sound awfully sure, don't I? I am. Not cocky... just extremely familiar with grief AND in my ability to help. I've been paying attention.

Are you grieving? How can I help you?

I haven't Arrived

I have not arrived. Please don't put a mint on my pillow or turn down my bedding... I'm not ready for that. But I have checked for flights, and I do have a better idea of the direction I should be heading.

I am getting closer to my true north. Closer to buying the ticket and settling on my destination.

I am getting there. I will share so much more with you soon!

Wondering

I am wondering today how others handle it when they have 15 amazing project ideas all at once. Do they start them, then flit from project to project to work on each one as they are inspired to do so? Do they write down the basics then prioritize and work on one at a time? How do YOU deal with this?

I'm dealing witht his right now, and I'm a flitter. But the problem with that is that each one takes 15X longer, and it may not get my best effort. So, I'm trying to figure out how to reprogram I think. Being able to switch gears works well if I'm just quickly trying to make a tweak or two to a project. But not when I'm in the thick of one and it truly deserves my full attention.

There is so much I didn't learn earlier in life, I now realize. Like how to follow through with amazing ideas. I will get there, it's just more of a challenge because I feel like I need to re-wire.

How do you handle projects/ideas? How do you follow through and give each your best effort?

Looking forward

I woke up exhausted this morning. Major drama. And I've been here long enough to know it's going to get worse before it gets better. So, knowing that, I really don't want to write about that any more.

I want to write about the future, the amazing things right around the bend. I have an all photographer show coming up. I will be hanging my photography in 2 establisments (so far) this year. I will be tap-tap-tapping away at the keyboard to work on my novel. I will have a new home. New space.

I got my smudge sticks yesterday for my new apartment. I am so excited about getting the keys at the end of the month and moving stuff over. I will post pictures when I am all done setting everything up. It may be awhile.

I am also looking forward to Spring Break, and spending some extra time with my boys in my new home. Life is looking up!

New Roles

This week I am working on my attitude. I am a planner, and when plans get screwed, I have difficulties. Now, if I can understand why plans are not adhered to, I'm better. But my plans are getting tweaked for no reason.

So. I am putting my foot down. Stating my intentions, that this is the last time this particular plan will be changed. I will be mindful of the deadline coming up, and I will work towards it.

I remember in psychology, learning about group dynamics. In every group, there are the same roles. The 'knowing one' (or the cool one), the uncool one, the bully, etc. And when one person leaves that group, another member of the group will fill that role. I think that's part of why I've moved into this role. I used to be the complacent one, but that role has been taken. So I have to step up, may possibly have to move all the way into the bully role.

I should write a book from my experiences the past few years. It has been that interesting. And perhaps I will.

This week, I will start packing. I can see many trips to goodwill in my future. I'm just going to keep on swimming as Dory would say...

2010

"To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act." --Anatole France

I have dreams and plans for the coming year. I have spent the last few months searching my soul and deciding exactly where I need to go. My first big plan is to move, and that will happen in February. When I do, I will create a peaceful, inspiring home to exist in.

But 2010 will bring lots more to me than a change of address. I will be exploring photography much more, and putting myself out there more. I've already started this and have a place to hang my work for May. Working on several other months as well. Becoming involved in my local art community is important to me.

I am working on my book, and hope to complete it by the end of the year.

I am rethinking my etsy shop and trying to come to some decisions about it. I am sure that it will evolve as my photography does. I also want to try my hand at leatherbound journals. Kicking it up a notch as Emeril would say :-).

2010 will bring some experimentation with both abstract photography and photography of people, as well as learning new editing techniques.

It is going to be an amazing year! What plans do you have?

The future is bright

Last night I did more craft show prep. Double checking everything and finalizing after a half day of work today. The First part of the craft show is this evening from 6 to 9:30. I am excited, nervous, worried, apprehensive... I will be fine once it starts though.

I have been doing a lot of research. Research for freelance work, stock photography, travel photography, and research for my book. In addition to the craft show prep. I always seem to be looking several steps ahead. That used to not work so well for me, because my focus would never be on what's right NOW. But I'm getting to that point where I can give now my attention, and still have plans and thoughts for the future.

Know what I can tell you from all that? The future is bright! There are so many doors open to me, and the ones that aren't open, I most likely already have the key, I just need to use it. Life is absolutely amazing. I do realize we're in a depression. Our economy sucks. If you have not read my post about the economy, I urge you to do so.

Look for those open doors. And the ones that are locked? Search yourself for the key! It's in there!

Plan for Creativity

This weekend, I am committing to working on items for my etsy shop. I hope to make new journals, go and take new photos, and spend some time editing some photos to list. I have not felt very creative lately, and I know that I need to just get started with it... if I force a start, the creative juices will flow freely.

Tonight will be about play. We are going to a concert. Tomorrow work, Saturday sleeping in... then the creativity muse will be knocking... I can feel it already. Just need to get some energy to let her in.

I hope all is well in your world.

By the way, blogger's not allowing me to upload a photo, I'll try in a bit.

Sometimes after a rain, comes a rainbow

I took this photo last Friday at my work. See the faint double to the rainbow, above it? I think rainbows are absolutely magical. Usually, they're after a rainstorm of some sort, and then the sun pops through and there's this rainbow. Amazing.

I am finding more and more that life is like that. A storm, then something glorious. You just have to wait it out. Next time you're stuck in limbo, remember that. Always work towards where you need to be, don't give up, and it will be glorious.

Lazy, long weekend

I had a 3 day weekend, as many of you in the US did. And it was lazy. I took naps, I watched some movies, and generally relaxed. I wonder how long it's been since I've just relaxed for that amount of time.

I forget, many times, to just chill out. I am constantly busy. Constantly on the go, fueled by my own momentum. Usually if I slow down, even a little, I have guilt. Guilt for not going 100 mph. Guilt for not getting as much done as I planned.

And I had planned lots of things for this weekend! I was going to clean my boys' rooms. Deep clean the living room, go through some stuff to sort out for the move. I don't feel guilty though. That stuff will get done. And I am recharged. Yay, me!

I have really big plans business wise, and I will start concreting those plans today. Working on some new journals, planning to learn some new techniques. Along with other plans... plans that I'll unveil soon!

I hope your weekend was wonderful. And surprising, in some way. And that this week is magical.

Attitude

I mentioned yesterday that things are slow at work. Well, they are, real slow. But it just dawned on me (again) that life's at least 75% attitude. And yes, the days are just going to crawl if I dwell on that. I took photos to work to edit yesterday, but I had a bad attitude so I didn't work on them, instead I sat there, bored.

I have been tired lately. And sitting there, bored, is not going to help my tiredness. So today, I'm taking my photos, I'll be updating my blog with a blog award I won, updating my blog reading list at the bottom of the page, hopefully going on errands so I can buy some new ink, and sketching out some new ideas.

I will also be working on some marketing. I have the wonderful advantage of being able to do that from work, and I will be taking full advantage of it.

Now, if today happens to get busy at work, hooray for that too! That means the day will go by faster and that business is picking up! If not, I'll have stuff to do.

There's a Long Weekend Coming up

I am beyond thrilled at the prospect of a 3-day weekend! Ideally, I would stay home and create journals. I'm trying to build up stock to free up more time for my children this summer. However, there is most likely a road trip in the plans. I love road trips! My camera battery is charged... I am ready!

I took the above photo while visiting a friend. He has these all along the pathway leading to his backyard. In life, it's so nice to have a light to guide you....

That tutorial I promised is underway, and I will be posting it soon.

You know, that's a lesson that is taking me the longest. I have self-imposed deadlines and I get all stressed out over them. In a way, that's good... it leads to getting things done. But oftentimes life gets in the way, and the deadline becomes impossible. I need to learn that life happens and it's ok. So... let me try that. Life right now, for several reasons, is very hectic. I am working on the Etsy Account Tutorial, but will finish when I once again have a big block of time that I can dedicate to it.

I have a million thoughts zipping through my head... I'm sure they will form themselves into something cohesive soon. Happy Wednesday to you all!

Good Morning to ya!

I had a pretty restless night, and I'm trying my best to be wide awake this morning. My eyes, however, would be very happy to close for a few hours! I've been feeling a little out of sorts this week, getting ready for my trip and all. I'm no longer worried about my business, as the fam can handle that while I'm gone. I just feel like I'm racing against the clock a bit, but when I look at my list, there's not a whole lot on there.

Realistically, I will have all day Saturday to finalize everything. So I have no idea why I'm feeling like this. I have not made a lot of plans for while I'm in Utah. Some plans have been made, but not a ton. I hope to have an overall relaxing time. I wonder if I know how to do that, honestly.

Three of my photos will be in an art show while I am gone. I can hardly wait to get updates on that! And in the day of text messages, I'll be getting updates, all the time.

Well, today and tomorrow at work, and I'm taking off early early Sunday morning. Leaving here, and a 3 hour layover in Denver! Life is pretty awesome!