It's 2016! Time is positively flying. It seems like just last week that we tried -- and failed -- to fry a turkey for Thanksgiving, and now here we are, starting a new season and new year.
I've been giving some thought to what I want to work on in 2016, which personal improvements I'm ready to tackle. Not surprisingly, a lot of my thoughts have revolved around painting and my creative development. I am a list-oriented person, so New Year's resolutions tend to suit my personality, but I'm also entering a phase in my life where I need to be more gentle with myself. Hard, inflexible goals don't work anymore, and tend to lead to more self-criticism than self-improvement. I'm trying instead to think of larger ideas that have both literal and figurative meanings.
Here's what I have so far:
1. Live a more colorful life. This for sure applies to painting (as in, do it more!) but also my home life. Shake off some of the hesitation I've always had to decorating my house. Oh yeah, and eat more veggies.
2. Get in the picture. Literally, get in the picture. More photos with my family. Selfies, even! Share the moments, share my work. Also, be more present. Mindfulness, the same type I experience when I'm painting, in the other times of my day.
3. Practice patience. This is a repeat resolution, as I tend towards impatience. I'm thinking that if I treat it more as a skill (like painting) than an innate personality trait, that I can build up some techniques for being more patient with myself and others.
I think that's good for now. Nothing too specific or concrete or unforgiving. Just enough to make me think, make me motivate and make me work. And on that note, I'm off to paint!
I've been giving some thought to what I want to work on in 2016, which personal improvements I'm ready to tackle. Not surprisingly, a lot of my thoughts have revolved around painting and my creative development. I am a list-oriented person, so New Year's resolutions tend to suit my personality, but I'm also entering a phase in my life where I need to be more gentle with myself. Hard, inflexible goals don't work anymore, and tend to lead to more self-criticism than self-improvement. I'm trying instead to think of larger ideas that have both literal and figurative meanings.
Here's what I have so far:
1. Live a more colorful life. This for sure applies to painting (as in, do it more!) but also my home life. Shake off some of the hesitation I've always had to decorating my house. Oh yeah, and eat more veggies.
2. Get in the picture. Literally, get in the picture. More photos with my family. Selfies, even! Share the moments, share my work. Also, be more present. Mindfulness, the same type I experience when I'm painting, in the other times of my day.
3. Practice patience. This is a repeat resolution, as I tend towards impatience. I'm thinking that if I treat it more as a skill (like painting) than an innate personality trait, that I can build up some techniques for being more patient with myself and others.
I think that's good for now. Nothing too specific or concrete or unforgiving. Just enough to make me think, make me motivate and make me work. And on that note, I'm off to paint!