I wasn’t going to make a New Year’s Resolution this year. Over the decades, I’ve already attempted the obvious ones – where I’ll lose weight, make my first million, find the love of my life, quit my day job, become an artist. (I did manage to achieve the last two, and the rest…..well, they’re still in progress!)
Now that I’m older and somewhat wiser, I’ve learned that I no longer need to wait until the magical date of January 1st to look at what doesn’t work in my life and then “resolve” to change over the next twelve months. We all know what often happens to good intentions made under the influence of too much champagne……
So I had decided not to make any particular resolutions for the coming year.
But then my Artist Mind got involved and decided that the problem wasn’t the concept of New Year’s Resolutions per se, it was that the resolutions themselves generally weren’t any fun. No wonder we all drink on New Year’s Eve! Who really wants to face beginning The Diet, or packing for The Big Move, or leaving an 18-year career, even if it’s for something better in the long run?
The Artist in me prefers something creative and juicy. A resolution that will make my soul sing and my spirit soar. One that will inspire me to jump enthusiastically out of bed in the morning to seize the day and send me to bed at night with a grateful heart.
And my Artist came up with this absolutely luscious idea:
Rather than looking at what I’d like to change in my life, I’m going to take this year to CELEBRATE who I already am! I’m celebrating my Artist self and I’m going to do it every day for the next 365 days.
Here’s why: The creative mind is often misunderstood and generally underappreciated in our contemporary Western society. It hurts my ears when the word, “starving” is used in the same sentence as the word, “artist” even before the income question has been answered. I’ve seen artists described as weird, crazy and promiscuous. We are supposed to be perennially broke, unreliable, and depressed control freaks incapable of commitment. (OK, I’ll admit to being somewhat of a control freak).
Nasty stereotypes aside, the life of an artist is not without certain challenges. And I’ve lived through most of them. But I’ve met hundreds of wonderful, talented artists from around the world who don’t fit any of those categories on a full-time basis.
So I’m going to take this next year to not only explore what’s GREAT about living life as an artist, but every morning for the next 365 days, I’m going to begin my day by writing them down, one by one. Hopefully I won’t come up with any of that airy-fairy “dancing naked in the moonlight” kind of stuff. But then again, so what if I do?
Now that I think of it, 365 is a whole lot of positive things. Maybe I’ll run out after a week. Then again, perhaps there are more good things about being an artist than I can imagine right at this moment. At any rate, I’ll post the best ones throughout the year, and maybe we can all celebrate together.
It’s a seemingly simple task but when shared, it has the potential to power great things. I think it’s time all of us artists and creatives stand up and show the world just how fabulous we can be – and how we are vibrant and necessary members of our local and global communities.
I’ll definitely post what I come up with tomorrow for Number 1……and I think some of my artist friends may be joining me on a few of these posts……
Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a glass of champagne with my name on it……
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I just Love You, Serena! That is exactly the inspiration I needed to hear! We are so many wonderful things in all our many aspects, and I am both blessed and grateful to have such a dear and wonderful friend! Here’s to 2012 and a year brimming with celebration!
Mary, we will celebrate our creative selves together! For some reason, you kept coming to mind as I was writing this post, so take it and run with it! It is an honor and a pleasure to be your friend! Here’s to a great 2012!
Love,
SerenaK
Hi Serena, nice hearing you the first day of this year. Great initiative! You are speaking with the truth, with creativeness, humor and above all with human kindness. I like that! Ifeel you are strong and have fine energies! Keep your spirit up! The best to you this year!!!
un abrazo,
Elsie
Thank you for your kind comments, Elsie! I’m so glad we connected through the magic of social media and I look forward to more “conversations”! Have a wonderful, artful New Year!
- SerenaK
Serena,
You just may be the inspiration I need to get more serious about my art. I will be looking forward to reading more.
Keep us posted on your progress, Nancy!
- SerenaK
How did you get inside my head? lol I woke up this morning feeling profoundly grateful that here it is, a new year, and I have glorious commissions to do….and I will get paid again for doing something I love. I live and breathe art; have been a full-time artist through 30 years of feast-or-famine, and the best thing today about being an artist is that I get to create something that will be meaningful to someone, something that will live on after I am gone. How cool is that.
I am looking forward to reading your daily blog.
Perfectly said, Gail! I admire your courage to remain an artist, “feast or famine” – it’s all about passion! – SerenaK
Thank you Serena! It’s true we need to be creative with our dreams and desires and not fall into a laundry list of unexciting goals. Here’s a way we worked with kids and families to tap into the magic of Dream Boards:
http://www.ourjourneythruautism.com/2011/12/2012-vision-boards-creative-goal.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
So much more fun and manifestable than just resolutions. Enjoy!
Thanks for sharing, Robin! What a wonderful idea to create vision boards with families and kids! I do an annual one, and they grace the walls of my studio! Have an Artful New Year!
- SerenaK
Being an “artist”? I’m already there and have been for a long time (at least in my head). And I’m so grateful, it’s such a great place to be!
About “resolutions”- I’m working on last years – to use up a LOT of old stuff in our freezer! I”m also working on standing on my head. The “Bucket” list just gets longer. Will share new art ideas later.
This is such a great idea of yours!! Thanks and Go Girl!
I’m with you, Marion, being an artist is definitely a great place to be!
As for your resolutions….let me know when you manage to be able to stand on your head…..I definitely want to see that one!
Looking forward to your sharing your ideas!
- SerenaK
This is great Serena! I’m 64 and I’ve just started writing my way through Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way program for the umpteenth time. I’m doing it buddy style with a friend in the neighbourhood who hadn’t written since she left high school! An artist friend who is also a yoga teacher came to see me today and after my 10 year old foster daughter showed my friend her latest sketch book that she got for Christmas and has been madly drawing in., my friend said,referring to the 10 year old and her 17 year old big sister, “These girls are your masterpieces!” No matter what subject I’m ever teaching, it’s ALWAYS about Creative Thinking! This past year I was asked to guest lecture at the 17 year old’s high school classes in three different subjects … Biology, Horticulture, and Native Studies. In the Biology class I lit a Dorito corn chip on fire to demonstrate how much grease was in it. Doritos burn so long they could be used to heat houses!!! I had so much fun coming up with ideas for demonstrations! I was inspired by one of my 7 sisters who was a University professor … Every time she gave a lecture she ripped up her lecture notes afterwards so she’d never be tempted to teach the same thing the same way twice!
Wow! Love the Doritos idea, Carol! What a powerful visual! One that will be remembered much longer than if you just said, “Doritos have alot of grease in them.”
I did “The Artist’s Way” many years ago when I was transitioning from an 18-year corporate career to becoming a full-time professional artist. Bravo to you for continuing to research how you can deepen your creative life! And how wonderful to have a partner to accompany you through the book!
Really love your sister’s way of keeping her lectures fresh and exciting!
Thanks for sharing and do stay in touch as we all continue to travel the path of the Artist!
- SerenaK
Hi Serena,
What a wonderful idea to celebrate who you are as a vibrant women artist. I juste love that commitment!
It’s great to have exciting news from you.
For my part, I am living a kind of special journey, having malignant cells in my bones, after breast cancer in 2006. But the pain is controlled and I can live for years if I respond well to medication. I’m still painting at l’Atelier du geste, i’m takings singing lessons and I have started writing songs with great pleasure. Life is precious and Life is now…
I wish you a wonderful year full of fun discoveries and deep pleasure in the paractice of your art. I wish you health and “douceur de vivre” (I can’t find a suitable translation!).
If you come to Montréal, send me a mail and we will have coffee, or tea or vodka, as you wish!
Love,
Françoise
P.-S. I’m still doing Cameron’s Morning Pages quite faithfully.
How wonderul to hear from you, Francoise! Glad to see you’re still at l’Atelier du geste – give Andree a big hug for me!
I love your message – despite your health challenges, you are living your creativity to the fullest. We can all learn the lesson that Life is Now, as you say. Thank you for sharing!
365 Days is a big commitment – I really had no idea when I began the journey. Perhaps it’s a little crazy, but the rewards are immense! There is such a warm, generous, wonderful community of artists and creatives out there who are coming together through this project. I’m loving it!
I’ll definitely let you know when I’m back in Montreal and we’ll get together!
A bientot, Francoise! Je t’embrasse,
SerenaK
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