12 Jan Looking back, looking ahead…

Here it is, a week into the new year, and most of my resolutions have already fallen by the wayside. Like many of us, I vowed to eat better and exercise more. I shoveled snow…I went snowshoeing…I was on track until I remembered that there were still cookies stored on the front porch. I planned to catch up on correspondence, but my “seasons greetings” are as yet unwritten and unmailed. I figure if I don’t specify a season, I’m good until at least Groundhog Day. My intentions are good and the goal is progress, not perfection, right?

A friend shared with me a year-end questionnaire that has me assessing the past year and looking ahead. Some of the questions address heady topics like, “If I had just one week to live, how would I spend it?” And “What are the three most important goals for my life?”  Other questions are easier to answer, “What do I want to do over the next year?” for example.

Most of my answers revolve around living a creative life—weaving and writing, cooking, spending time with friends and just generally messing about with art supplies. But in reality, it’s all too easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of life—meetings and obligations, and the mundane responsibilities of survival—and let the creative side of things take a back seat.

A creative life is a life of curiosity, wonder, play and a little bit of magic. It means paying attention and being on the lookout for everyday miracles.

So with that in mind, here are my REAL resolutions for 2019:

• Take time to play. Try new things.
• Channel creativity into everything.
• Be curious. Be fearless.
• Weave. Stitch. Draw. Write.
• Unplug! Go outside!
• Carry a sketchbook.
• Slow down and pay attention.

What are your resolutions for 2019? I hope you have made room for an extra dose of creative magic!