Welcome to 2009!

New Day - Acrylic and oil pastel on paper

First painting of 2009! Now available at http://www.livefunky.etsy.com/

I hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday season. As usual, it flew by, but many special memories were made and the time together with family and friends was wonderful and life affirming.

Turning back the clocks a bit, going into 2007 I had an amazing sense of excitement for what that year would bring. I had a feeling that it would be a year of big changes and growth in my business and indeed, it was. I worked on interesting and challenging commissions, my Etsy shop blossomed and overall things were moving in an upward, positive direction. But for some reason, maybe because 2007 was such a good year, I wasn't looking forward to 2008. I sensed that I needed to be frugal and that we'd be challenged, all of us. I don't need to tell you what happened, and for those of us running small businesses selling non essential goods, we were part of the many careers that took a hit this year. And although our economic and global issues weren't wiped clean when the ball dropped, I feel a great amount of hope and faith for the future. It reminds me of the feeling I had in 2007, only now, there is a "bigger than me" need to participate in the change I'd like to see in the world. So here are my resolutions (more like declarations, actually) for the new year.

First of all, I'm not going to stop making art because it is a "non essential good" - art is needed in the world, almost especially in times like these, and if I'm not living my passion regardless of the challenges that I face, what sort of example am I for a future artist or creative individual? So lesson one of 2009 - live your dream to the fullest.

Second, I am going to stop lugging around massive expectations. Be at peace with uncertainly, have faith in yourself and others to be able to handle change and make the right choices in the moment. Take pride in individual successes and don't sweat the small stuff. Man, that one has been on my to do list for decades. I think now is the time to really follow that advice.

Don't wait to have the experiences you want! After visiting with some old friends over the holidays, I got to see my friend Kim that I've known for over 15 years. She is the kind of person that has a dream and goes for it. She started a dance company years ago that is now a great success. She won a trip to Italy, fell in love with the culture and now a few years later she is taking expert Italian courses and has traveled there several times for solo vacations of wonderful adventures. How great is that? She is not fabulously wealthy or anything, she is just smart about it, working hard, saving her money, living simply (healthy market diet, exercise/all natural fun) and spending her money wisely. Alone with my thoughts after our get together, I couldn't help but wonder what would my list of "I'd love to..." look like? I'm determined to sit down in peace and quiet and really meditate about it and write that list. Not only do I need to figure that out, I need to dive into making each of those dreams happen. I'm hoping to be a mommy in the next few years and this is my time to do whatever I want on my own - it's now or in 18 years, that's how I figure it!

Lastly and most importantly, love and relationships are what matter. Live healthy, happy and connect with those you love. (In my case, trade in being a work-a-holic for a love-a-holic with a full time job - know what I mean?).

Do you have any resolutions or meditations for the new year? Please share them!