Good Stuff to Start off 2013

Some good stuff to start off 2013...

1.  I'm signed up and rolling along in the True Free Spirit Course by Mindy Lacefield of Tim's Sally...I just got enrolled and made my first free spirit girl yesterday.  I had hoped to get the course as a Christmas gift, but I didn't so I sort of purchased it myself since I really felt called to be a part of it.

The initial rough sketch of just her face seriously brought anxiety to me, but once I got painting and adding stuff I actually loved what I made.  This is where I left off last night.  I may add more or I may leave her here and just do another new one.  She is holding a heart in her hand.  Mindy told us to have her holding something sacred to us...my heart, my feelings and the love I have for others is very sacred to me so that was my first choice and I went with it. I'm really trying NOT to second guess any of my choices, especially while creating!

2.  Brave Girls Club is again finding new ways to inspire and uplift women and girls and now they are heading around the world with their caring mission.  They are doing a Brave Girls Truth Card Exchange to help those who really need encouragement and Melody's first stop is to the Phillipines.  I made my card and it is ready to be mailed...I forgot to take a picture of it before I sealed the envelope, however.  They really are amazing women.  I had actually hoped and prayed that 2013 would be the year I would participate in Brave Girls Camp, but so far it is not to be.  I am not giving up hope though.  If you've never visited their website, please do--they are such vibrant, selfless and inspiring girls.

3.  I haven't formally chosen a "word for the year" like I did last year (my word was commit), but I guess I'm going to focus on acceptance and release so you could say I've chosen two words or just am planning on more of these two things in my life this year.  Maybe I'm a bit scared to pick them formally for some reason, not quite sure--maybe I'm worried that will make them seem like resolutions, and those typically haven't worked for me.

How about you?  How has 2013 started for you?  Have YOU chosen a word or a focus for this new beginning?

A Look Back at 2011

As I'm sure you've heard many times, "wow-time flies!"  Can't believe another year is almost over.  I've been already thinking so much on how I want the new year to be, but first I think I need to look back at all the great things about 2011.  The goals I reached and the good things that happened.

First of all, I took two online classes that I had been wanting to take for a while and finally took the plunge in 2011.  In the spring I took Soul Restoration with Brave Girls Club and I'm so glad I did.  I learned a lot about myself and changed the way I also look at myself, the ways that were almost ingrained in my mind.  It made me feel better about ME.

Next, I participated in Kelly Rae Robert's Flying Lessons course as well.  Both of the classes have changed my life in many ways.  First I just felt proud that I took the leap and signed up for two things that I was only dreaming about the year before.  In Flying Lessons, I learned a lot about the business aspect of being a creative person which pushed me to try new things that I would never have done before.  Through both classes, I made some wonderful on-line friends that I can go to at virtually any time of day to talk about anything, mostly art, but really anything.

Some people might think, whoopie you took two online classes, big deal.  But they really were a big deal for me this year.  A life-changing big deal.

A few personal things that made 2011 a good year were my kidney disease going in remission.  My lupus was also affected by kidney disease a few years ago, so I went through 18 months of chemotherapy and finally this year, the doctor gave me the good news about my kidneys doing great.  What a happy relief for me.

Lastly, this summer I decided to join Weight Watchers and lost 21 pounds in three months.  A few years ago I gained 25 pounds in a month and a half due to being on a high dose of prednisone and finally, this summer I had had enough of feeling uncomfortable in my own skin.  I was on a low enough dose that I couldn't use the medication as a weight gain reason anymore.  I actually didn't think I could do it because I really love my food, but I did and what an amazing accomplishment for me.  Now, I just need to keep it off, eat healthy and get on a regular exercise routine because 40 is fast approaching!

There you have it.  Those are just a few great things about 2011 that stand out in my mind.  I have many more things to be thankful for this year, bu these are the ones that are biggies for me.  What about you?  Do you have something that happened in 2011 that you are pretty grateful for?  I'd love to hear about it.

Are you a brave girl?

Yesterday I began my journey with the Brave Girls Club and started the Soul Restoration on-line course and I can't believe how full of energy I am just since I started.  I don't know what it is!  Maybe it's that I'm taking some time for myself and trying to figure out what really belongs in my life and that is actually exciting.  Usually by this time at night (8:24) I really am sleepy and ready for bed, but not tonight or last night.  Hey, I'll take it!

So far, I've watched some inspiring videos by the amazing hosts of the course, created some art and did some journaling.  I can't wait to see what transpires if I already feel this way after two days!

Anyone else out there part of this group?  I'd love to hear from you!

Trying New Things

These past two years have been full, I mean full of changes for me.  I went through 18 months of chemotherapy for my lupus nephritis (kidneys), quit my full-time job as a teacher, started working only 20 hours a week, painting regularly, starting an etsy shop and doing occasional art shows on the weekends.

 So many of these decisions came from my heart speaking to me, but so many inspirational quotes have also pushed me as well, such as this one from Max Dupree. 

"We cannot become what we NEED to be, remaining what we are."

Part of my journey of change is reminding myself that if I want a certain life, I have to do different things.  I've been painting for a few years, but now I'm starting to draw as well which I'm finding so fun because I'm letting it flow out of me more easily than when I paint.  I drew (then painted) this girl today and I'm pleased with it.  Typically I shy away from drawing people at all--faces are hard for me, hair is hard for me and hands are almost impossible.  But today I felt looser and free as I drew her.  I actually love her face and her hair (hands are hiding behind the dress).  For me, she's great, compared to any other peope I've drawn.  It's actually giving me a boost of confidence to try even more people. 

Brave Girls

I found this new website called the Brave Girls Club that's quite inspiring and I like this artsy quote one of the bloggers Melody created.  These ladies are positive and have lots of great ideas, so check out their site for some inspiration.