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One of my UN-favorite holidays has become New Year’s Day.  The press focus on the wins and losses of the past year, the hopes for the year ahead, and resolutions for change that everyone is expected to make.  I’m all about reflection, professional and personal, and the value of evaluating our actions and emotions.  Something about the pressure of New Year’s self-promises and exceeding expectations makes me want to dig in my heels and say, “NO!” Could it be that I am just getting sensitive to change in a whirlwind of uncertain times? Or is it that I am seeing that there is not as much time ahead as I once banked, and thus the passage becomes more precious?

In my younger, more naïve and hopeful years, I excitedly made plans to conquer the art world, lose 20 pounds, and generally re-invent myself to fit the fads of the day.  I have since learned that we are intrinsically what we are, and that we control our choices, but not our nature.  At the end of the day, we work with what we have. Also, life has a way of presenting situations and challenges that we never see coming, no matter how much we prepare. 

The strength of will it takes to push daily, to strive toward a goal persistently, requires a commitment of the soul beyond the realm of resolutions.  To be fair, I have worked diligently to be comfortable in my living standard, and can now afford the luxury of altering my expectations. Over time, I have seen my goals become more realistic, more satisfying, and more “true” to my nature.  The things that are important to me aren’t “things,” as they were in younger years (possibly because I HAVE the things that seemed so important).  Goals focus on relationships, on personal satisfaction in work well done, and attention to the wonders of life. I’ve become more honest with myself on what I really want in life, and more genuine in what I spend my time doing.   I’ve focused on connection with my children and grandchildren, and there are times I wonder at the capacity for love that my heart has been granted.

For my art journey, I continue to reap the rewards of over thirty years of creating.  I still feel an excitement when I sit down at the easel and pull out the palette. Making something new is still FUN. I remain un-intimidated by artistic challenges.  I love to learn new things and experiment.  Failure is no shadow lurking in the studio - each misstep is a learning opportunity, and accepted as such.  I prepare to expand my work into new markets and take advantage of new situations, as a matter of growth. 

Whether a result of the passage of time, or simply a matter of acceptance of the reality of my life, I can find joy in small, precious moments.  As the singer James Brown proclaimed, “you may not be looking for the Promised Land, but you might find it anyway,” I embrace what lies ahead.  Challenges there may be, and heartache -- courage may be required. With the challenges, come opportunities for enlightenment. Life is what you make of it.  Grasp it with both hands, and wring out of it all the joy, achievement, passion and peace you can.  Time is passing, enjoy the ride!