Cheers to the New Year (yes, I am aware this is March already!) and to our resolutions, hopes, and dreams.  The moment brims with promise and I am eager and hopeful of what each New Year may offer.  A favorite memory, the start of a new school session, with the scent of freshly sharpened pencils, pages of fresh notebook paper, and anticipation of the unknown promise to come, is what I feel each January.  I also remember how homework, exams and term papers soon dampened my eagerness.

#1: First start.

Fortunately, I’ve come to revise my perception and pursuit of new starts; I integrate them daily, during the “homework” phase of my projects.  Every morning I remind myself that it’s a new day and that I am a new person in it.  This simple mental reminder refreshes my outlook in rewarding ways. I even use this technique during the day when I need that fresh-start rush.  I can quickly drop whatever is bothering me and, in an instant, open the way forward.  

#2: Developing an idea.

This approach has proved invaluable, not only with my creative process, but also my day to day encounters.  I’ve mentioned before how creating art is a metaphor for living: You have an idea or desire, you make a mark or a move, you acknowledge where you are, decide on the next step, then repeat, repeat, repeat.  

#3: Pursuing, pushing that idea.

I find this quick mind-change helpful, especially while painting. Just as in school, the first rush of excitement as I envision the new piece often devolves into a stop-start-stop-start process (necessary for maintaining the initial vision, but not as fun).  No painting (hope, dream, wish, or desire) ever turns out as you imagined, but what does show up just might prove to be better.

#4: Changing course.

Here’s to changes!

Judy

#5: I’ve put her away for awhile to reassess with new eyes.  I’m on to something new and need to let it percolate a bit.  I’ll know when to do more; the painting will tell me.  I may change what I’ve done or embellish what is or add more.  Stay tuned, more changes always to come...

P.S.  A recent card I drew from my OSHO Zen Tarot echoes these thoughts: “EXHAUSTION is about all the ways we set up safe but unnatural routines for ourselves and, by doing so, keep the chaotic and spontaneous away from our doors.  Life isn’t a business to be managed, it’s a mystery to be lived.”