New Year, New Possibilities
- By: Rene Groom
- On: 01/06/2010 10:54:52
- In: Rural Ramblings....
- Comments: 28
I have yet to decide how I feel about New Year’s resolutions. Yes, I think we should be decisive about how we want our lives to go, and it seems that the first of each year is the perfect time to do so. Yet, I have given up on making plans to do things I know that I probably won’t really do…resolutions I’ll feel guilty about when I’ve already let them go within a week.
I have made subtle changes in those things that I plan to achieve in 2010, leaving an open window for opportunity to lend me a hand. I know myself well enough that if I say I “have” to do something, it is similar to shaking a red cape at a crazed bull. Let’s just say, I tend to scratch the ground with my feet, blow smoke from my nose and aim my horns for said target. Not a pretty sight unless you are into bullfights, I suppose.
One of the things that I know I will do as I welcome in the New Year is to rebuild my dream board. A couple of years ago, I was having trouble staying focused—keeping my dreams and goals front and center in my life. Being a visual girl, I needed to find a way to keep these things in the forefront of my priority list instead of letting them fall off the stove entirely. For me the best way was to start a board. So, I sat down with a handful of magazines and a pair of scissors, found a spot on the floor and started thumbing through the magazines cutting out everything that triggered or represented one of my goals. This system worked for me; when I recently took down last year’s board, I found that I had met all the goals that I had represented on the board. I find it amazing what we can accomplish when we choose to live with purpose. I can tell you, I absolutely shocked myself.
My goals this year are bigger than last year’s goals, but they are still within the realm of possibility. I have come to love that word, possibility.
Accepting that all things are in the realm of possibilities led me to one of the things that I have placed on my year’s board - my goal of working with mixed media. Recently, I discovered an artist whose work just makes me happy. Her name is Kelly Rae Roberts, and she has titled herself a “possibilitarian.” What a great word! The word represents not just someone who thinks that all things are possible but one who BELIEVES that all things are possible and chooses to live in the world of possibility. If you want to see Kelly’s work, go to www.kellyraeroberts.com (and tell her René Groom sent you).
I used to be disappointed by my failure to meet specific goals…goals that I set for myself like I am going to lose X amount of weight in x amount of days. Now I choose a picture of a healthy-looking woman, one who is active and vibrant, and that is my goal. While some may think these goals are the same thing, they are actually vastly different. One goal you can meet every day, but the other doesn’t allow you to see the payoff until too far down the road. The results are the same, but the one that gives me a daily gauge seems to be easier, sort of like eating an elephant one bite at a time.
I look forward to the New Year and to the challenges that it will bring with it. In and of itself it is like yet another gift under our tree just waiting to be unwrapped.
However you choose to deal with your New Year’s resolution, I hope that you choose to live 2010 as a year of possibility.
(the pictures of samples of art by Kelly Rae Roberts, in which I am the proud owner of four :)
Comments
Rene, I have never answered a blog before and I am new to Mary Jane's Farm. What a great idea to put cutouts of your goals for 2010 on a poster! I will ask my kids to do this. I do something similar. I cut out pictures of dreams and wishes for my family. For example, when my children were younger 8 and 2 I cut out a picture of a wooden swingset and slide and stuck it on our cork board in the kitchen. I then asked God for it. The neat thing is in His timing and in His way, He provides! Thank you for listening.
Rowena,
How fun to include your kids. I think that we are never to young to understand that when we live with purpose we can conquer the world. I would love to see them. If they send me pictures I will post them... Happy New Year to you and to yours.
Happy 2010 Rene', "Solutions" is the word I'm using instead of the "re" word, it projects a better understanding. Thanks
for sharing your life, Luv the way you write! Sunny Florida!
Thanks Donna,
I love the "Solutions" very clever. Happiest of New Years.
LOVED your idea of the dream board, Rene! I'm sure it will be a genuine motivator for me this year. I don't know why the idea never came to me as a tool for personal inspiration and goal setting-dreaming. Several years ago when we were fixing up our house for sale, I put together a 3 ring binder with sections for each room in which I stapled/taped cut out magazine photos of ideas and resources. It was a great help to me in bringing my dreams to reality. I found that I could "show" better than "tell" my husband,too! What a super idea for ME for 2010! Thankx!
Thanks Joan~ Here is to great things in 2010
The term "resolution" brings the same feelings to me that the term "diet" brings. So I have found a different way of looking at the New Year. This year while contemplating hearing about resolutions, I have decided that the New Year would be a year of "revelation." I have had dreams yet to be fulfilled and more room to dream more. So I hope for my dreams to be revealed this year and "revelation" for new dreams. Either way it is a life filled with purpose, hope, and peace for the future. Have a revealing New Year!!
OH good one, Reba... I love that. Revelation.... even the word envokes power. Thanks! Happy New Year and may your Revelations birth New Dreams.
Dear Rene, Are you going to post your dream board? Would love to see it! I think it is amazing what we accomplish/receive when we take the time to find out what it really is that we want : ) It is so easy to get busy running around in those circles...
I posted my vision board on my blog this year and am enjoying peoples responses to it. I have some vision board, or dream board, or whatever you like to call 'em board stories that have made me a believer...plus how fun it is to spend a day sifting through magazines for images and words that catch your eye and sometimes even speak to you!
Thank you for sharing kelly rae roberts with us - her TTV contraption is so cool! And I love the art you have chosen for your personal collection; especially "believe". Happy, Happy 2010 to you and yours, V
OKAY, I will take you up on the challenge and post mine.. keep watching.. thanks... Much happiness and may all your dreams come true in 2010.
Rene, I love this, and I love Kelly Rae's artwork. I even quoted you in my newsletter. Shine on, sister!
May your new year be full of possibilities!
Paulette
Paulette,
My little gypsy girl. SO great to hear from you. It doesn't surprise me one bit that you like here work... we are sisters for sure. Happy New year!
Thanks for the mental 'push off the couch', I needed a different way to look at my resolution approach. I generally don't set much 'ump' in resolutions this time of year but I like the visual use in this plan. Thanks for the idea, I see pics of an old lady (in her prime) lifting that toddler up and giving him a tight embrace, or doing the heavy yard work, etc. All these strengths seem to be
slipping away. (This happens when we get old, dog gone it.) So I think I am off to start adding pics to my Wish Book.
Karen, Happy New Year. Here is to a full and rich 2010~~
I use to be so hard on myself, trying to live up to others expectations.....I would measure my worth by my accomplishments and so my N.Y. Resolutions were geared to meeting others expectations of me...academics, physical, and accomplishments.....
Thank goodness for the wisdom of age!
Now my N.Y. Resolutions are simply to have an "attitude of gratitude"...
hugz
>^..^<
Thank you so much for your thoughts about New Year's resolutions. Isn't it amazing how if we change our thinking in just a small way, that what seems insurmountable and leads to disappointment, can lift our spirits to meet new goals. I'm going to make a dream board....what a great idea.
My only resolution for the New Year is to "CREATE" more. At least one thing a month. If I get more done that will be great but I know I can at least get one thing done. Looking forward to seeing your board, hope you post a picture.
Well have a Blessed and Wonderful New Year and looking forward to a new year of Inspiring Stories. Thank You
Rene, thank you for responding. I will ask my children. I have a question. Are we able to respond and interact with the ladies that write to you? Thank you for your time.
You can always chat with the gals on the farmgirl connection on this website. www.maryjanesfarm.org then click onto chat with other farmgirls.
Hi Rene'...!
and a belated "Happy New Year...!"
I missed this Bloggie... was in the Hospital a couple of days... for tests and med adjustments... all is well now.
New possibilities indeed...
Your ponderings ring familiar bells with me... seems I didn't reach all my goals and Dreams last year, and I can really relate to the weight. On the bright side, I did make significant progress on all my goals... even the weight.
Weight loss is unlike any other effort for me, and to make progress, I have to take it a day at a time, because I love to cook and eat yummy food. So...
Happy New Day and all it's possibilities 'eh.
GodSpeed to Y'all...!
Gary
in Tampa
Gary, You were missed. I am glad that you are doing better. Blessings to you in the New Year.
I am new to MJF and I am new to learning my way around this site, I love your dream board, sorta like my Idea Book I keep and built me a house out of, also things I want to do and make. I live on 15 acres, and currently have no animals, my husband has had 4 heart attacks, and now has a defibilator, so I had to go to work, now work is slowing down and I am going to start with chickens again, then some goats, I have to keep my chickens in a covered pen because of coons and the big ole hoot owl. Also, have a problem with fox. I am excited about being apart of farmgirls, also learning from you and others.
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