Since Jan 31st, I’ve been doing a drawing every day.  I’ve never really learned to draw, and I know the only way to improve is to do it.  I’m going to post my drawings here, not because they are so great, but because it keeps me accountable.  I’m trying to draw different types of things each day so I get different experience than just focusing on type drawing.  I’m finding some things a lot scarier than others, so it may be later that I tackle the tougher stuff.

Jan 31st

Feb 1

Feb 2

Feb 3

I wrote on the last page of  my current journal last night.  The cover on it is one of my favorite’s.  Writing in my journal is such an effective way for me to sort out reality from the crazy thoughts in my head.  As thoughts circle around my mind, thinking only sucks me into the whirlpool. But writing helps me get it out so I can organize them.  Once they are organized I can determine what is important, what is just crap and what needs attention.  Journal writing has kept me sane for a long time.

I am starting a new journal today, in anticipation of the “Oh My Word” Mission for 2010.  If you don’t know about it, you can read it here.  My word for next year is Acceptance.  I chose that word because I want to learn to accept myself just as I am today.  All of me.  But since choosing the word, I’m finding out that it is also about my accepting others.  Just as you can’t love others if you dont’ love yourself, you can’t accept others if you don’t accept yourself.  It is going to be an interesting year to discover all I don’t know about acceptance.

If you are participating in the Oh My Word mission with me, be sure you have a blank book of some sort to write in, OR a blog.  As I offer ways to focus on your word, you will need a place to record your reactions and thoughts.  I know several of you have posted your word, but if you dont’ have a word yet, just remain open.  Spend some quiet time listening.  I know that seems impossible right now with the holiday activities, but it only takes a few mins to listen.  While you’re driving, or brushing your teeth, just focus on being open and ready to hear your word.

I am on a Mission next year and would love for you to join me.  Here’s a little background.

For many years I have selected a word  in January that I want to focus on throughout the year.  These words were things I wanted to bring into my life.  I’m not talking about words like Cadillac or husband, but more like love, harmony, awareness.  By selecting a specific word, it gave me something to focus on in order to bring my life closer to what I wanted it to be.  Having a word allowed me to look for opportunities to practice the thing I want.

I have outlined a lot of activities that we can do together to keep us focused on our word throughout 2010.  I have seen this work in my life for many years and I would like to share this exciting experience with all of you.  This is something we will share and do together. It won’t require much time and the activities are fun.  I will post a monthly focus activity.  We will do these activities in our blogs or journals or just alone with no one else.  We can share if we want, encourage each other and celebrate what we’re doing.

If you want to join me, let me know here by leaving a comment on this post.  If you aren’t already subscribed to my updates, please click the link at the top of the right column.  That will keep you updated when I post our activities throught next year.  If you use Facebook, you can join the Oh My Word! page there.  And if you use Twitter, my updates will include the hashtag #onmyword.

All you need to do for now is select the word you will focus on in 2010.  In order to do this, just be open.  Spend a few moments being still and quiet and listen.  It might not come to you immediately.  Be patient and wait.  If you don’t feel this method is working after a few days, look through books or magazines.  Pay special attention to any words that you are attracted to.  Don’t analyze it.  Just be willing to be drawn into any particular word.  If it speaks to you, then that might be your word.

My word for 2010 is acceptance.  The word I have used for several years in a row was harmony.  It took several years to bring that into my life because when I chose it I was living in anything but harmony.  It took lots of patience and time, but I did it.  I have a life of complete harmony now!!  So, I think it’s time for some serious self-acceptance.  But just as you can’t give love away unless you have it for yourself, you also can’t give acceptance to others unless you accept yourself.  That’s my mission for next year.  I want to completely accept everything about myself.  I’ve worked on change for most of my adult life.  That’s a worthy goal but after years of focusing on what’s “wrong” I’m ready to just BE!

This is how my hands look a lot of the time.  Right now as I’m typing I have gesso on three of my fingernails.  I am so messy!  Do you get paint all over yourself when you do art?  All my stay at home clothes have paint all over them, too.  And sometimes I have it in my hair.  Paint isn’t so bad, but glue is hard to get out

What are you doing today that is fun?  I don’t mean things like getting my desk cleaned off, or finishing up the laundry.  I mean really fun!

Do you even remember what fun is or know what’s fun to you?

As we grow in years we get farther and farther away from the part of us that seeks and recognizes fun.  When we get too far away, we get out of balance.  That imbalance causes things to start going wrong in our mind and body.  Depression, anxiety, physical illness, fatigue, insomnia and weight gain are just a few of the problems that can follow.

I challenge you to make a list of 20 fun activities that you enjoy.  If this is easy for you, congratulations!  That means you have stayed in touch with the child inside that helps keep you alive and healthy.

However, if it is difficult, just know that you don’t have to do the whole list at once.  Make the list and keep it with you.  Hopefully just initiating it will keep it in the back of you mind and as you go through your week, you’ll be in tune and start remembering things you enjoy.

For inspiration, here are a few of mine:

listening to music – loud!
getting to know new people
going to garage sales and finding totally useless crap to buy
driving fast with the windows down
telling stories

I  would love to see some of the things on your lists.  Leave a comment and tell me some of the fun things you enjoy!

I have joined the 101 Things in 1001 days project.? The idea is to write 101 things you’d like to accomplish and then see how you to at achieving them.? You can read about the original idea here.? There is a Live Journal community for support, where you can report your progress and get encouragement, here.Rather than keeping my progress on this blog, I set up a Blogger blog to keep tabs on my accomplishments.? If you’re interested, you can view that blog here.

I don’t have 101 things listed yet.? I’m trying to keep the list down to things that I might actually accomplish.? But the challenge is fun and I hope you might join me.

Leave me a comment, if you are joining!