Allowing, For the Good of Everything Else

One of the things I didn't write down in what I'm willing to do in 2011 is crafting. I'm a "crafter" - arts and crafts: sewing quilts, doll clothes and stupid sock creatures, scrapbooking, paper crafts, collage (with spiritual overtones) and all sorts of other stuff.

Sometimes it's hard to justify all that stuff. It's not a direct line to say if I make this collage/treasure map of my intention for my business then I will make more money. Especially when sometimes in making that collage I'm not writing an article that would more directly help me make money at my business.

I have learned something about myself over this past year however and it's that I need crafting in my life. I need to create. I need to sew. I need to figure out how to get from the idea I have in my head to a reality in the world that makes me happy.

And when I allow myself that creative leeway, I find that everything else flows more smoothly. My writing is better. I'm more inspired when I sit down to my work for LaPadre and Story-Beads. It's a little like magic.

So, Saturday, after the "snowstorm" here on Friday, I took my camera and "indulged" in some outdoor shots like the one above. I'm not as good at it as Christine Valters Painter over at Abbey of the Arts but it doesn't matter right now. What matters is that the process of it makes me happy and content, and that feeling flows over into the rest of my life.

What needs allowing in your life that could positively influence everything else?

2011 (a year of willingness)

my writer's set of Story-Beads at Caumsett State Park

Happy New Year! Time to embark on that time honored tradition of feeling guilty for not living up to those rosolutions! Yay!

Or not. This year I'm trying something different and playing with ways to work with my usual resistance.

For me a lot of resistance is just a question of symantics. For example, I've learned that I can't use the phrase "I want to" because as soon as I do I miraculously don't want to. Over timed I've learned (and accepted) that the phrase "I am willing to" works much better. Even when I don't want to do a particular thing, I can often muster up enough oomph to be willing to do it in order to meet the goals behind it. Symantics, pure and simple. But vitally important nonetheless.

And so I offer up this year's...willingness-es...?:

• 
  I am willing to finish a first draft of my story by January 1, 2012
  
• I am willing to write four blog posts/week
  
• I am willing to do what Jim Henson suggests and “spark the creativity in others” with my writing
  
• I am willing to write an article for LaPadre once/month
  
• I am willing to share the gift of my writing with the wider world through Spiritual Anecdotes and LaPadre.com
  
• I am willing to write an article for Story-Beads once/month
  
• I am willing to buy a writer’s desk and chair
  
• I am willing to write an article for Social Action Committee once/month
  
• I am willing to explore systems that make all this writing work smoothly
  
• I am willing to write workshops
  
• I am willing to write 19 pages of web copy for LaPadre
  
• I am willing to connect with other writers for encouragement and support
  
• I am willing to look at my relationship with deadlines
  
• I am willing to work AT my business as well as ON my business
  
• I am willing to write the first section of the DIY Ritual eBook by January 31, 2011
  
• I am willing to finish the DIY Ritual eBook (and rename it)
  
• I am willing to develop my craft
  
  
  
  As my friend Candace said "2011 begins! Wishing you much love and creativity!"
  

What are you "willing to do" this year?