Friday, January 21, 2011

Friendship In The City

OK, here is my news...I'm going to be writing for Examiner.com about friendship.  I'm so excited, you can't even imagine.  I can't believe that it's actually happening.  I applied for the job as a lark not thinking that I'd be offered the opportunity to write about something I LOVE.  Instead of Carrie, they'll be Rebecca writing about friendship in the city!

I posted my first article earlier today and it was so fun.  :)

Here is my page on Examiner.com.

OMG, how fun is that?

Trying Different Things

The first few weeks of January were a little rocky as I was trying to figure out what I wanted to concentrate on for the coming year and my future.  But instead of getting stuck in the bigness of the decisions I just jumped on a few things that I enjoy and am really happy exploring them.

Kids and family are still first and I'm at home, which I love and I'm so grateful that I get to do, but I'm also trying a bunch of interesting things for me.  I'm doing the drawing class, I'm slowly (very slowly) teaching myself how to play the guitar, I'm doing a few hours here and there of legal consulting and.....something else totally exciting which I can't wait to tell you.  It's not set yet so I'm going to wait until it's finalized and then I'll share.  It should be in the next day or two.  It's something fun!

It can be so hard to try something new but I figure it's better to try and at least have the possibility of it working out.

Is there something you've wanted to try?

:)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Getting To Goals

I started another art class today.  This time it's figure drawing (I'd like to improve my drawing and then go back to painting figures).

There were points during the class that I had those familiar thoughts that I've had before in art class (what the hell are you doing here?  You're not an artist?  You're just fooling around, wasting your time).  And then as the class progresses and I see that maybe it is worth it or that I'm worthy of it, I feel a positive energy and get excited about the possibilities of making art.

Going after something you want feels like that sometimes.  In the beginning we wonder what we're doing trying, that it's so hard so improbable that we must be fooling ourselves but the further we go in the process the more we can see the possibilities of attaining our goals.

Here's some advice I got lately about reaching a goal, which I liked.

1. Have a vision of where you want to be.  See yourself there.  Doing or being what you want.
2. Know that you deserve that goal.  This is not always as easy as it sounds, especially when you have a big dream or goal.
3. Identify the barriers/issues that are holding you back - you don't want to go through the hard work, you don't want to give up something comfortable, etc. then make the tough decisions and come to terms with those decisions.
4. Put yourself first, or better said, get the support you need to get to your goals.  This is hard for moms, we tend to put our kids first.  But I think just as you need to put your oxygen mask on first and then help your kids, you need to be whole, healthy and centered before you can be the best mother to your kids.

I'll be thinking about these as I move forward with my art and other goals that I have in mind.  :)

How about you?  What are your goals/dreams?

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Class Notes

I was just reading the class notes from my high school bulletin.  I started from the first class in 1956.  It was so much fun to see what these wonderful women are up to.  And then I thought, what would I want my class notes to read when I'm in my 70's?  Maybe that's one way I could figure out my direction, my passion, my goals for the next thirty years.  So here it goes.  Off the cuff and totally spontaneous with no real planning or thought.

Hi everyone.  I'm happy to report my boys are doing great.  My oldest is enjoying his career and is married to a lovely woman.  They're expecting their first child which is a thrill for my husband and me.  My youngest loves doing X and he and his wife are enjoying their new house (which is only a few hours drive from us).  We just spend the holidays together and it was so fun being surrounded by my boys and their families.  As for me, my garden is flourishing with tons of herbs and vegetables which I love cooking with and my painting studio is filled to brim like always with new projects.  I was lucky enough to have a small show at the local gallery a while back.  Lots of friends and family came which made for a warm and fun evening.  I'm still writing from time to time but no new books for now.  I was happy to see that my two books about my adventures were well received and more importantly that my husband, boys and other dear family loved them and were proud of what I put out in the world.  Health wise, I knock on wood every day and am thankful that I'm pretty healthy as are the rest of my family.  I try to walk at least three times a week.  Lastly, my husband and I spent some time in Italy this year to celebrate my 70th birthday.  It was just delightful.

:)

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2011

Happy New Year my dear friends!  It's so wonderful being part of your blog life.  I'm excited to enter 2011 and do wonderful, creative and interesting new and old things. :)