twenty 11

"Nature/Nurture" by Jennifer Davis

i'm liking the sound of "two thousand eleven" or "twenty eleven." for some reason it's bold and daring. i again came across this quote that i have jotted down near my desk. like novels or even songs, quotes seem to generate new meaning at different times of my life. 

twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do. so throw off the bowlines. sail away from the safe harbor. catch the trade winds in your sails. explore. dream. discover. 

–mark twain

for myself and i'm sure as for many, january is a time of reflection and looking inward. now that the holiday distractions have died down and the daylight is sparse, it's really hard to avoid your inner voice. it's like cleaning up shop - my mental shop. what can i let go of in 2011? and what can i make room for? what is missing and what is holding me down? 


being a creative person is a blessing, and i must say, a curse. my mind is constantly in motion with ideas and projects. i love the high that i get from being inspired - by artwork, music, my children... everyday, i am creating, but mostly in my head. and although these dreams of color and paint and canvas get me through my day, i seem to still, nine years later, get disappointed at the end of the day when i am just bone-tired and squeezed of any creative energy i may have had that day. i know i am not alone. i have creative friends who often feel the same way. for some, being creative (painting, drawing, sculpting, whatever) is an outlet of emotion and something of their past. it was a stress reliever. just like exercise. and when there is no time for this release, well, i just don't feel like myself. so, i think it's been apparent for a long while that what i am missing is some "creative mama time." and although i feel guilty (oh, why is it that, as moms, we feel guilty for nurturing ourselves!!!!???) or selfish, for now, in 2011, i need to do this. 


ah, the law of attraction. i haven't even been actively doing anything to set my resolution in gear yet things are just falling into place. :) i am going to take a painting course once a week just to get some hands on time and be with some other creative people. i can't wait. also, and this is something that i have been wanting to do for such a long time, a few of us moms are going to get together with our kids weekly and have creative playdates where each time we meet the kids will do a different project and learn some fun techniques. and lastly, i am treating myself to a yummy new moleskin sketchbook that i will try to sketch in at least once a week. well, i know i am probably boring you but this is fun in my thirties baby! happy and true. no but seriously, back to the 'bold and daring' of 2011.....maybe all of this back to painting and using my hands again will come of something....i don't know. maybe i will throw out my mac! (not likely). cheers!