GRATITUDE ~ My word for 2013

Happy New Year everyone!

I wish you all joy, good health and blessings for 2013.

In the spirit of the New Year and making good intentions, I have decided to join a few of my fellow flyer friends in taking on one word to guide, shape and inspire my year this year. My word is GRATITUDE. I am so aware that I have SO much to be grateful for however, last year and the years previous I have frequently lost touch with the feeling of gratitude. When things are a bit tougher or more challenging than usual, it is very difficult to not dwell on the issue at hand. The biggest thing I think is to be able to pull yourself out of the cycle of ruminating over issues in a more timely manner so you do not get stuck in the negativity trap.

Now, I know the aim was just to have one word for the year, however, I am also sneaking in a little sub word… GRACE. I think that I need to learn to live in the space of Grace more often and particularly when I am challenged by a person or situation where I feel I have been treated unfairly or unjust. Fairness/Justness is one of my triggers. I can not bear to see another person (or myself) treated unfairly by another. I am very reactive to people who feel they have the right to treat another human being unfairly. I guess it is about power. I do not like to see anyone suffering because someone else has abused the balance of power. Anyway, I am digressing slightly here.

So what does Grace look like for me in the context that I am intending? Here are a couple of definitions…

Grace… “A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill”

Grace…”She handles her problems with grace and dignity”

Grace…”She has shown remarkable grace during this crisis”

All of these sentences encapsulate the essence I wish to live by throughout the year in showing Grace. I chose Grace for personal reasons/past experience life lessons but also because without Grace it is too easy to dwell in the negative and not access that place of being Grateful. Gratitude and Grace brings with it, PEACE.

My hope for everyone in 2013 is PEACE. So contribute to a life of Peace, I am declaring here, my personal Intentions for 2013 which are as follows:

* Living and residing in the space of grace in my interactions with others and with myself

* Daily reminders to be grateful

* Whilst living and breathing the above ways of interacting in/with the world, charge my art with their essence so that others may feel the energy and intention of these words

* Live joyously and freely and create abundantly

* Learn new art approaches and techniques to further what I have to offer in my art

* Help others by extending my skills by studying Art Therapy

* Share my art by gifting, loaning, as well as freeing it up to be purchased by others who connect with it

* Share my art in publications as well as in galleries

I am really excited about what 2013 will hold. I feel that there will be a big shift and if I can contribute positively to it in some small way then I am happy and content.

Another thing that I have also decided to do and that I have seen other bloggers do, is to post daily on what I feel I have to be grateful for.

So, DAY 1 of being in GRATITUDE:

The first gift in my life that I feel I have to be grateful for is/are… My parents. I am extremely grateful for these two people in my life. They are funny, on the same wavelength as me. I am able to have great chats with them. They are open minded, forgiving and generous people and incredibly supportive. They have propped me up through some difficult times in my life for which I am truly grateful. So mum and dad, if you do read this… thank you both. I am extremely grateful that it was you two who were chosen to be my parents and I feel very, very lucky and blessed to have you in my life. x

Feel free to leave any comment to share what you feel you have to be grateful for in your life right now. Perhaps we can make GRATITUDE downright contagious! Lets make it go viral!!  🙂

x Tanya