New Year New Word

I chose the word and let the energy of that word 

guide and shape me.  I engaged with it.

 I took actions based on it.

Christine Kane

CEO of Uplevel You

Readers may recall that years ago I ditched writing new years resolutions in favor of choosing one word of the year.  This is not original to me, I learned it from a friend who learned it from a friend.  But I have found it so much more effective than a long list of lofty goals that seem to fizzle as they are written.

The quote above is from a woman who has taken the "word of the year" science to a new level even offering a (free) download as a guide for choosing your word.  Check it out...here's a link. And I found it in even another blog on the subject.  But none of this lessens the value of choosing only one word to sum up your intentions for the next 365 days.

I've never had difficulty choosing my word....they seem to start auditioning themselves as the days get shorter and the year comes to a close.  Most often they fly in and out of my head with a few of them "sticking" around for consideration.  By mid December the words have self-sorted and one stands out as the winner.  

Before I reveal my 2019 word let me add that some years the words are more "successful" than others, that is, they seem to resonate sincerely with my life; other years, not so much.  It is not a magic wand or a guarantee of any outcome.  Sometimes I am disappointed at my efforts or even my choice.  But I can say that it is a much more satisfying process for a fresh approach than any other I have tried.  So with that disclaimer, here we go:

Yep.  That's it: stretch.  

And while right this minute I interpret it literally (as in these bones could use some regular stretching) and somewhat figuratively (as in I need to challenge the boundaries of my comfort zones), the real beauty is that I am not at all certain where this word will take me.

I need to look at some of the tired ways I've gotten comfortable painting and: STRETCH.

I will be confronted with a challenging decision and need to: STRETCH.

I may be afraid to try a trip to the unknown that taxes me physically and need to: STRETCH.

I shall deal with persons whose opinions I do not share and I will need to: STRETCH.

Who knows?

Since I like to have the word visible first thing when I awaken I stretched to make it unusual:

just an old board, time to paint it

I made myself use up things I had laying around -

stretching to make the sign

hung over my door frame so it is the first

thought I see when my eyes open...

My husband's ritual is to tattoo his word on the inside of his arm so it is at the ready but I really like my method.  Put yours wherever you will see it several times a day.  Share it with others or not.  I love finding out what friends have chosen and why...and don't assume you understand the "why" of someone else's words.  We've had a great time discussing the meaningS and applicationS of a variety of words...it just has to resonate with the choser.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

Let me know if you do this and share your word if you choose.  Best wishes in your own stretch for 2019.

FONDLY IN COLOR,

Cindy

Festina lente

Festina lente is a classical adage and oxymoron 

meaning "make haste slowly" 

(sometimes rendered in English as "more haste, less speed").

see more in Wikipedia

This phrase was the word I selected last January to be my mantra, goal, musing etc for the coming 365 days.  Little did I know how apropos it would be!  

We gave up writing new year's resolutions a while back as each year they seemed more and more familiar and each year we had to admit little thought was given them past the writing.  So we elected to chose a word to live by.  Then we discovered we tended to forget the word so my husband started tattooing them on his forearm and I took the less drastic step of painting them and hanging where I would see the word first thing every morning.

This was to be a reminder to me to "stop and smell the roses," to slow down and savor the path even if it felt slower than the way I usually moved.  I had come to a point in my art that I needed to work more intentionally, taking time to stop, analyze and think before making the next move.  By moving slowly I would more likely hasten/see a better outcome.  

But I felt it was important to try and make haste slowy in other ways as well.  How many times have I rushed to judgement with only a portion of the facts at hand? How often did I miss an interesting mushroom as I was logging miles on a hike not wonders? And please stop me if I rush through a visit, a meal or a phone conversation with someone just so I can get to the next one.  It was definitely time to slow the pace and thus improve the progress.

This morning before climbing out of bed I looked up as I always do for my word reminder.  And as I sighed loudly I knew that it was especially applicable now that I was rehabbing from knee replacement surgery.  There is no way to rush the process of healing, no way to condense the needed therapy into one or two sessions.  It is slow, painful but steady progress.  And I have to remind myself that the choice to s l o w   w a y   d o w n and have the surgery was made in an effort to be able to make haste painlessly down the road.  

So what does this have to do with art? A lot.  If you get frustrated: slow down.  Counter intuitive I know.  Breath deeply and look closely.  Slow. Slow. Slow....is the path to positive forward movement.

And...why not let a piece of art become your trigger for a change?  A certain painting might remind you to savor the outdoors, a special mug may be the mediative catalyst of your morning, music might bring on a moment of escape or relaxation.  Just as I use my artistic version of a word you might find the reminder in a small mosaic or piece of jewelry.

Sometimes its hard to give up a word that has served me well, but since it is a painting all I have to do is move it over and hang the shiney new one in the place of honor - it works!

Just another way that "art" can serve our lives. 

Hoping that this month will see you making haste slowly as you savor the sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday.  Back to the studio soon!

SLOWLY YOURS,

Cindy

Festina Lente

 Several years ago we quit making new year's resolutions

in lieu of choosing a word we would try

to live by.  It has been more 

productive for us and we enjoy exploring that word and

all of its nuances for an entire year.

My word(s) this year is:

For the literal definition of this greek phrase and its latin translation go here.    As I begin to focus on this term I am finding additional references to it almost everywhere: slow food (art), hurry slowly, meditative walking and so on.  Even my favorite buddy Austin Kleon addresses the idea here.  And I found a podcast devoted to the subject here.

I am trying to capture the essence of this word everyday not only in my work and pleasure but in my movement...my head has always been about a mile ahead of my feet and I'm finding that is not the best way to get around anymore.  Join me in slowing down and getting more done!  Or did you choose a different word for 2018?

Before I share my "slow art" I want to try an experiment.  Many of you have noticed that you are unable to comment on my blog so that others can see it.  I get many responses via email but it is nice to be able to have a conversation on reactions to a subject.  I have tinkered with the settings a bit (all greek to me) and hopefully have adjusted that.  Try commenting directly on the comment section of the blog (if you receive by email you may have to click over to the view on-line) and lets see if we can share our thoughts.  Of course I love getting your private input but I often learn a lot from readers and it is nice to be able to see it all.

Finally, my "slow art" in January.  We headed to Florida for a week of camping, beach strolling and reading in warm weather.  I did not take my studio with me and of course my hands got itchy to create.  So on a long leisurely beach combing walk I collected many shells which all had one thing in common: a hole!  Most of course were made by sea creatures sucking out the little animals living inside but some had the wear and tear of the ocean creating a hole in them.  A few sticks, some rocks for balance and a ball of jute from the dollar store....I was in creative heaven for several days working on my wind sculpture below.  Slow, meditative, challenging, and satisfying.  Festina lente.  Enjoy.

my pockets filled and dumped 

sorting through my gathered treasures

imagining a layout

auditioning sticks

art installation at the campsite

the rock and sticks on the left had to be

added for balance...gave the piece a very

"primitive" look