twenty eleven

I spent the day yesterday in bed, well, all expect for the time I spent helping Tess with her science project, sick with a headache and sore throat, taking it easy so hopefully I would be able to celebrate the new year with style today. Happily it worked. I am feeling more myself, even though I could go for a nap right now.

Anyway, it gave me amble time to think about this past year -- my ups and downs, the goals I saw through and the ones where I fell short. I thought about this new year, 2012, my hopes and dreams. What I want to accomplish, and where I want to be at years end.



This past year, 2011, I spent my days focused on living my truth and after thinking it through yesterday I will say I am pleased with my efforts. I mean, of course there is a lot I hoped I would do differently -- I wanted to do more projects, get off sugar, I need to do better at focusing on the light, and I'm still haunted with the same lessons time and again, but it was definitely an abundant year full of growth and goodness. Friendships were strengthened, dreams came true, and I was again reminded how much we need one another.

I think that was one of the biggest lesson I learned or I should say was reminded of because I've learned it plenty, that life was not meant to be journeyed alone and we certainly can't do it without each other. And you know what, I'm glad because I don't want to. Another big lesson I learned was living my truth took courage, but when I let go of my fears and focused on the light added strength was given to me and I was able to do what I needed/wanted.

Tonight I will be ending the year full of gratitude in my heart for the individuals (some new, some old) that made an impact on my life, for the continued closeness that I found with Adam, for the bonds I forged with my girls, and for all the lessons I learned, even if for the fourth or fifth time, that I will take with me as I continue on with twenty twelve.

Happy New Year friends! May this new year bring with it an abundance of joy and goodness.

xoxo

moment of truth

Have you ever had an experience where you’ve been looking for something and it’s been right under you nose the whole time, but you just couldn't see it? That’s exactly what happened to me.

A couple months ago I saw online the phrase “speak your truth”. I liked it enough that I made a mental note of it. Then in December when I was making the stamped jewelry and decided to practice on a blank charm for myself the thought “speak your truth” came to my mind once again, but when I went to stamp it on “live” popped in my head and with a smile I began to work on my charm "live your truth" knowing that’s exactly what I needed.

“do I think too much?”
“you don’t think too much, you do too little.”

That was a blurb from the conversation I had with Adam last Thursday. After he said it I had to sit with it for a minute, knowing he was dead on, I had to internalize it myself. Deep breathe. Yes, he was right. I do not put into action all the things I think about. I do do too little.

I think over the past five plus years of blogging I’ve spoken my truth. I’ve tried to do my best at sharing the woman I am--the good, the bad, the crazy, & the sane. I share what I believe, my struggles, my fears, my art, & my triumphs. I tell you what I love, what I want, & what I need. Admittedly you’re not getting every piece, there is a filter, but that is a post for another day. Suffice it to say, if you read my blog you should get a clear picture of the workings of my mind, who I am, what I’m about, and the woman I want to be.

but
and it’s a very big but—

Talk is cheap. I could talk till I’m out of breath and then some, but talking never got me anywhere. Well, that’s not being entirely fair. I think talking/thinking is the beginning, but once you do the work to gain the knowledge the next step is action. We need to take what we’ve learned and apply it. Unfortunately that’s the hardest part and the part I seem to struggle with the most. It’s the reason I chose live and do all those years ago because I knew it’s what I needed to improve and if I am true about who I am it’s still something I struggle with.

I have all these thoughts in my head (you get to read some of them)—ideas, things I want to try, things I want to improve. I think about what I can do to make it happen, I write about it, talk to others about it, but for whatever reason—fear, laziness, etc., I don’t really care the excuse, the point is—I never get around to following through with it. If my dreams don’t come true I only have me to blame and I’m not okay with that.



So this year I am focusing on TRUTH—LIVING MY TRUTH

And this is my truth...
-Relationships are everything so I'm going to spend time developing meaningful relationships with those I love.
-Service makes the burden of trials lighter so I'm going to listen for opportunities and give service
-Life is to be enjoyed so I'm going to be present in everything i do.
-Being grateful changes our attitude so I'm doing my daily gratitude journal.
-I love creating so I'm going to have more projects.
-Knowledge is power, but action is more so I'm going to do what I know.
-Where there is light there can be no darkness so I'm focusing on the light.


xoxo
amy gretchen