Here in southeast Texas it is 60 degrees. The temp is expected to climb into the 70’s this afternoon, then rain and a cold front, down in the 40’s tonight. This is my early morning lake view – if you look closely you can see the little coots.
Looking back at the first month of the year objectively (if that is possible!) I am pleased with myself. I set some reading goals for myself and finished the first book in about 3 weeks. Additionally, I finished Having our Say and returned it to the wine bar down the street. Setting a goal of only five books in a year may not seem like much, but I had gotten so out of the habit of reading that I wanted to be realistic. Now that I finished not one, but two books in under a month, I will likely add a few more to my list.
I posted here 13 times. I’ve thought about trying to write here every day and decided against it. I wrote a cathartic letter to my father, wrote from prompts a few times, and put up a couple of pictures I particularly liked. I have added several blogs to those I follow, and am enjoying interaction with some of you who follow me. (And I thank you for reading!) During November when I was partaking in Blogging 101 and Photography 101 it was exciting to see the numbers going up on my stats page. This past month I decided to pay less attention to that and continue my original purpose, which was and is to push past the fear of uncertainty and explore my voice and inner creativity.
I painted this picture:
Although not entirely original, because I followed instructions from a book on acrylic painting, it is my own result, I learned some new techniques, and am very proud of it.
Other things I have done this month: Continued meditation, twice daily. Improved my eating habits. Committed to yoga class twice a week, for at least 3 months. Started walking outside more, as weather permits. Got Reiki 1 certification.
Goals for February: Keep showing up! Read, write, paint, draw. Practice kindness.
JUST FOR TODAY (reiki principles)
I will let go of worry
I will let go of anger
I will do my work honestly
I will give thanks for my many blessings
I will be kind to every living thing
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I love the Painting… The effects which you put in, is awesome 🙂
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Thank you very much!
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Wow, your painting turned out beautifully! I’ve never attempted painting before, it seems so difficult but very enjoyable!
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I never painted until September of 2013. I wrote about it here: https://saramoser.com/2014/06/30/unblocking-creativity/
This came out pretty good but I did follow some instructions. I find that I enjoy just putting paint on canvas, quickly and thickly, and it is very therapeutic! I highly recommend not waiting til you are in your 50’s to try it!
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Checking out how you are doing with your blog. I like this post very much, a nice recap of where you are at. I am next door in New Mexico and not sure what our weather will be doing after last weekend’s snow. It probably will not hit 70 in the northern part of the state for quite some time.
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Where in NM do you live? I am right outside of Houston, near Galveston. Crazy weather in winter. Everyone here hopes for snow, but when we get it, we shut everything down.
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I am in Santa Fe. I have never been in the Houston area. I did get to San Antonio for a conference a year ago. You must have exciting weather at times there–don’t you sometimes have to deal with hurricanes as well?
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Yes we do. The last one was Ike, in 2008. Very exciting indeed, and devastating to many.
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