A Non-Blobbish Resolution

The first day of 2020 and we all think about what we want to do, or not want to do. Yours truly is in the category of the “want to do” crowd. I want to do everything I like doing, but the resolution is

Find the time to do what I want to do!

How’s that for something unique? Yeah, right. But all joking aside, I followed the suggestions of a few people to “just let things happen” and I found it left me floundering around, indecisive, and just waiting for things to happen. If I wait for things to happen, I sit there, blob-like. Such an attractive way to spend my time. So, to thwart this blobbishness, I plan to

Schedule!

I think it will make for a happier 2020 as far as general living . . . more productivity and creativity and sense of satisfaction and so on and so on and so on.

No blobs in 2020, thank you!

Diving In

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My New Year’s resolution – intention as one newspaper put it – is to return to art and creativity as a part of my daily life. Ever since I was a kid, paint and paper and ink have been the big draw. The biggest problem with me, though, is distractions. Staying focused on one thing is not easy for me. The result is what I would like to master is pushed aside as too hard or time-consuming, or by comparing myself to this or that person. In particular, this applies to watercolors and drawing, but it also applies to so many other areas of my life.

My life style is my main crutch. I blame it for everything. My 10-hour work days leave time for little else. A 30-minute lunch where all I do is stuff food in my face to make it to the next task is another excuse. So my question to myself is what can I do to change my sense of frustration and of waiting for more time? More time isn’t coming, that’s for sure. Each second vanishes before it is even acknowledged.

Art requires thought, but it also requires just diving in and doing. I tend to get stuck in thought or stuck in doing, but somehow neither alone gives much satisfaction or sense of accomplishment. The two need to be tied together. Learning and practicing, thinking and doing, analyzing and trying again – this is the process.

Thus, my resolution: for the remainder of my holiday break, I will focus on watercolor and drawing. Once I return to work, my favorite mechanical pencil and a small sketch book, along with my camera, will be with me. One drawing at lunch. One photo a day. Evenings have no guarantee of time, but the long weekends do have that element.

Let’s see where this goes.

Out with the Old!

Happy New Year!

Another year, one which we all hope will be more positive on the news front, the employment front, economic front, and whatever front needs improving.

And, of course, with the change of the year, come reflection and resolution. And gratitude.

In the upcoming year, there are things which both need to be done, and want to be done. On the “need” list is to get certain things under control, and under the “want” list are things I want to do! Well, the “need” list can stay in the background, but the “want” list is more fun. So, what do I want?

more outdoor activities
more peaceful times
more visits with friends and family
more creative time set aside for painting, photography, writing, knitting, designing
more creative cooking

Outdoors . . .

What can I do here? I can take a walk at lunch or after work. I can go to the park or find a trail. I can make an effort to keep on the move – at least for part of the evening. And on weekends. I can get the other half involved as well (ha!) – if I’m lucky!

Peace . . .

Quiet time, time to meditate, time to focus on slowing down, no matter what the craziness of the day.

Family & Friends . . .

So easy to take for granted . . . and resent, too, for obligations that some put upon us. Not quite sure what I want to do here, but I think some things can be improved. Maybe an attitude change?

Creativity . . .

All too often, I get so worn out with work that I forget the need to be creative. It is too easy to stare at the internet or plop down in front of the TV. I need to set aside time to do the things I really love – and often ignore because I am too tired. I wonder, though, if I just do and not think about how tired I am – mentally, physically, spiritually – if there will be a healing quality in the activity.

Cooking . . .

Creative cooking to make more healthful meals -more vegetables and fruit and less fat. Simple cooking to make it do-able.

Whatever . . .

Talk is cheap. Let’s see what happens.