Aspirations

Now Is The Best Season, 2010

When I first moved back to San Antonio nine years ago, I heard about a program in which the airport displays work of local artists.  It sounded exciting - having one's work in a place visited by thousands of people from all over the world.  At the time I didn't respond to the call for entry. You know those naysaying voices inside one's head - "You're not in that league yet.  Don't even bother to enter."  I listened to those voices, but I did have a vision.  A vision of my artwork hanging in the airport.

I had pretty much forgotten that vision until I saw the call for entry last fall. This time, I ignored those voices. Then I received an email saying that my work was accepted.  Wow - that vision would be complete. And even more exciting was the news that Jane Dunnewold's work would be on display in the same area. I feel honored to be a part of the program and honored to be in the company of my mentor and friend.

A series of five pieces that I created during the ArtCloth Mastery program were chosen for the airport location. (I wrote about my inspiration for the series in an earlier post.) The installation process went smoothly - the installers were true professionals! Below are a few photos of the installation last month.

If you find yourself in Terminal B at the San Antonio International Airport between now and October, look for Jane's and my work between Gates 4 and 6.

What are your aspirations?

Renewal

Several weeks ago I read a book called, One Word That Will Change Your Life.  I usually stay away from books that make such big promises, but I was interested in the premise. The idea is that instead of creating new year's resolutions (which most people don't keep anyway) or a long list of goals, you choose one word that will be your focus for the year.

I've done that before, chosen a word at the beginning of the year that represented what I wanted to bring into my life.  Unfortunately I have not been good at keeping focused on that word throughout the year. So I read through the book (it's a quick read - it took me about 45 minutes) and felt compelled to try once again. 

I spent an hour reflecting and answering a few questions in the book designed to help people choose their word. My word became apparent through my writing.  After a month long flu/ear infection, eight months of feeling stressed about work and a general sense of disconnection, I realized that I needed to make some changes.  Renewal - body, mind, spirit - is my mantra.  (I know, that's four words. But I wanted the reminder of all three components.)

The book had some ideas about how to keep focused on the word throughout the year. One of them is to place your word prominently throughout your house.  I've found that loses effectiveness over time for me.  It's easy not to see it when it's always there.  I decided on a different approach.  I wrote up a number of statements/affirmations/actions related to renewal.  Then I spent an hour setting up four months of scheduled emails with those statements.  Every week, I automatically receive an email reminder of some aspect of renewal. The weekly reminder is valuable.  It does help keep me focused on my word. But even more amazing, the statement in each week's email has been exactly the message I need at that time.

So far, it's going well. I have made some positive changes in my life and I already feel a sense of renewal.

Have you ever tried something like this? How did it work out?  What is your "one word"?