#WordlessWednesday Pillow Pet
January Outlook
Embarking upon this #cultivate2012 journey has changed my focus to cultivation. I had at one point thought that January 2012 would be about realigning my life, but that doesn’t seem to fully encompass the ideas behind my Cultivate project. During this month I really need to focus on fostering better habits and nurturing myself, my family, and my business. Somewhere in December, a spark began to grow inside of my mind, and I want to fan those flames. I want to keep building that fire. But success starts small, so I need to focus on cultivating myself first. I need to get back to taking better care of myself, and I need to ensure I find that place of my own. My most important goal at this moment is to pack our things and move to a place we can call home — a place that nurtures our family, provides sanctuary, and fosters growth as individuals and as a family. I need that peace most of all in order to thrive. I nurture myself and my family better when the kitchen belongs to me and no one else. I don’t play well with others when it comes to sharing a kitchen. I need space and time when in the kitchen, and I need time to eat and enjoy my food with my family before I clean up the inevitable mess I create in the kitchen. And as a foodie, the best way to nurture my family and cultivate myself is by way of food.
I’m going to continue with my posting schedule, too. I still enjoy taking pictures, and I’m liking not going to outgrow my love of food any time during this life. I also value reflecting upon the blessings in my life and expressing gratitude as such. I’ll introduce the Live the List Challenge series to hold myself accountable for living the list. I’ll do my very best to bring thoughtful and inspiring content for my Monday Meditations. As for Tuesdays and Sundays, we’ll see what I decide. I’m thinking this little lady may decide she deserves a couple of rest days to recharge her creative energies. I foresee a very successful month in which I increase my income, my quality of life, and find an adorable new home. This first month of 2012 brings with it shiny new opportunities and tons of promise.
#Cultivate2012 Outlook
What is your personal outlook for 2012? What do you hope to accomplish this year? What do you need to nurture in order to cultivate your intentions? Write, sketch, color, photograph, create a vision board — do what feels right. 2012 is yours for cultivation!
Between the 509 unique page views and this glorious idea I decided to call Cultivate, I’ve got a bright and cheery outlook for 2012. I welcomed the new year in last night, promising my husband — and myself — that this year would be different. This year will be better. It will be much more fruitful. Why do I believe this? Because this year is different. This year I’ve got ideas that I’m following through with. This year, I’m going to take hold of opportunities instead of letting them pass me by. It’s a chance to start over — a chance to start living the dream instead of pining after it.
This year I hope to accomplish a list of achievements. Yesterday we sat down and made our lists for the Live the List Challenge, and our family is going to spend plenty of time trying to cross off all the items, within reason of course. I plan to step it up and becoming a thriving freelancer. I realized that in addition to my current services, I can offer virtual assistantship to clients. I’ve got plenty of experience as a secretary, but there doesn’t seem to be plenty of locations nearby looking for one. My skills don’t need to stay within commuting distance — I’ve got Skype, Gmail, and tons of web-spunk. I’m not bound by spacial constraints, and neither should my clients. I’m sure it’s awesome to have someone sitting at a desk in an office during business hours, but business doesn’t always occur during business hours. I agree with Kelly Gurnett that more people should go the ROWE route (results-only work environment). In addition to expanding my services, I’m absolutely going to write until my fingers cramp. I’m going to aggravate that carpal tunnels. I’ve been encouraged to keep writing, and I’m finding more and more that even I love my words. I also love helping others find their voices and perfect their words. I want to do a whole lot more of that during 2012. I have a goal to earn $45k during 2013 as my own boss, after all. I also intend to take better care of myself. There are no do-overs in life. I’m only going to be a 20-something for a little bit longer — now is the time to prevent and nurture my health so I can enjoy a better quality life for a longer quantity of time.
In order to nurture my intentions, I need to start by nurturing myself. I need at least eight hours of sleep each night, I need to drink at least 64 ounces of water each day, I need to eat a healthy, filling breakfast each morning, I need to take my vitamins, I need to get some exercise on a regular basis, and I need to take time to feed my passions. Anything less, and I’m feeling lousy. I don’t function well as a malnourished, dehydrated, exhausted, out-of-shape ball of nerves. It’s not a good state of being for anyone, and it also isn’t a very good look for me. When I feel good, I function better. I’m more productive. I’m nicer and friendlier. I’m also much more willing to function as an ISFJ, nurturing those around me. I wake up ready and willing to make a nice breakfast. I’m energized to partake in family fun. Moreover, I catch mistakes a lot faster. I’m quicker-witted. So it goes without saying that I need to nurture myself and my family first. I must nurture my passions by giving into them — writing to improve my writing, dancing when the mood strikes, and enjoying my life. I won’t get another shot at this life I’m living right now, so it’s better off that I nurture it. Feed it, water it, give it plenty of sunlight, and watch it thrive. I’m going to cultivate the kind of life I want to live — the kind of life where I’m thriving.
Introducing #Cultivate2012
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012, a year in which I expect to come into my own as a leader instead of just a follower. I have a positive forecast for the year ahead. From moving to thriving, I plan to make the most of the next twelve months. I’m going to cultivate a life worth living. I’m going to cultivate myself as an individual. And I’m inviting you to cultivate with me. The year 2011 ended with a rather confusing spin on the Reverb series, but it was actually a very fortunate event because we were all inspired to make the most of our own creativity. I personally spent time contemplating how to branch off and form my own creative series, and the word “cultivate” kept dancing around in my thoughts. I wanted to do something that requires reflection: reviewing what works and what doesn’t, remembering our accomplishments, and learning from our mistakes. I also wanted a lot more manifestation: nurturing and cultivating our dreams, passions, bodies, minds, souls, families, friends, etc. Cultivate builds upon the ideas behind the Best09 series and the Reverb series. Not only does it incorporate the creativity of the Reverb series, it also incorporates the concept behind Jasmine’s Project Totus. Here’s how Merriam-Webster defines the word “cultivate:”
1: to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops; also : to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants)
Cultivate is about growing as an individual and pursuing that which brings us happiness. It’s about taking the time to care for ourselves, our loved ones, and our environment (on both a micro and macro scale). Cultivate will consist of monthly prompts that involve checking in with ourselves and our intentions, as well as planning ahead. Cultivate will culminate in a month-long evaluation and planning phase each December, incorporating prompts and suggestions. There’s no pressure to complete each prompt, and there aren’t any rules — except to have fun and be kind to ourselves.
So let’s begin with January 2012’s Cultivate prompt: What is your personal outlook for 2012? What do you hope to accomplish this year? What do you need to nurture in order to cultivate your intentions? Write, sketch, color, photograph, create a vision board — do what feels right. 2012 is yours for cultivation! Use the hashtags #cultivate, #cultivate12, and #cultivate2012 to share your responses if you choose to share them publicly.
I hope you’ll join me on my journey to cultivate a life worth living. Check back tomorrow for my response to the prompt.
#Reverb11: Resolution
Resolution: Did you stick to your 2011 resolution(s)? What’s your resolution(s) for 2012?
I intended to never need a day job again at the onset of 2011. I had hopes for a bright future and days filled with students and clients who bring me joy. As the year comes to a close, I regret to inform you that I didn’t try hard enough. I didn’t put enough energy and time into myself and my business. My energy and time got spent on other people and their needs. At this very moment, I’m resolving to quit wasting what little time and energy I have. I’m resolving to give myself more credit and spend more time developing myself and my business. I’m resolving to nurture my soul and cultivate my dreams. In 2012, I’m not going to let the fears — or naysayers — hold me back anymore. There’s no excuse why I can’t make things work. All I need to do is go out there and do it.
In 2012, I intend to turn Electrate Editorials into a viable business that will earn me at least $45,000 in 2013.
#Reverb11: Letting Go
Letting Go (Inspired by Alice Bradley): What do you need to let go of to move forward in 2012?
I need to let go of the edge. I need to be okay with freefalling, not knowing if a net’s waiting below to catch me or if my chute’s functional. I need to let go of my fears and take risks. I won’t know if my business idea is a complete failure unless I go out there and market myself. I need to trust that all the pieces will fall into place. I don’t know what lies beyond February 1st, but I frankly don’t care. I’m ready and willing to take the risk. A varying schedule doesn’t make for a stable income, but neither does working for yourself. If on December 31st, 2012 I find myself in dire straits, I’ll chastise myself then. But then and only then can I chastise myself and live with the regret of jumping — not now. I can’t talk myself out of this. It’s time to move on and move forward. The life I’m living right now does not fulfill my soul, nor does it nourish me. I need to let go in order to thrive. It’s time to let go of that edge and fall.
#Reverb11: New Friends
New Friends (Inspired by Martha Mihalick): Tell us how a new friend changed your life or perspective this year.
I’ve met a few new friends this year, both on and off the Internet. I couldn’t possibly pick just one of them because they’ve all changed my perspective this year. At moments when I doubt myself or feel regretful about my move, these new friends remind me that I’m doing the best that I can — and I wouldn’t have met them or bonded with them were it not for the move.
As a side note, I chose to skip Insightful Peace because it became the same convoluted prompt I was hoping to fix anyway. During the 365 days of a year, we don’t always remember each and every moment for what it is. Even when we remember particular moments, they may not embody a particular mood or feeling that we’re attempting to express. This is my first year hosting my own prompts, and I’m hoping next year I’ll do better.
#Reverb11: Stories
Stories (Inspired by Molly O’Neill): What stories touched your heart this year? How will you find and cultivate the stories of 2012?
I soaked up so many stories this year, most of which were unwritten bits and pieces of individual lives. Admittedly, most of these stories have come from my job. I’ve found the stories behind co-workers and customers to be quite fascinating and enjoyable. I’ve considered sitting down, creating new aliases, and writing several short stories to document these wonderful tales. I’m a sucker for compelling stories. I also love good story tellers. I became enraptured with Hemingway’s brilliant work — three more of his books are en route to my mail box as we speak, thanks to the magic of Christmas. I’ve met several great story tellers through Reverb 11, and I can’t wait for them to join me during Cultivate 2012 (more on that in a few days). Some of the stories I’ve seen unfold have lifted my spirits, while others broke my heart. Only one thing was constant — all those stories touched my heart.
I aspire to find and cultivate many stories during 2012, literally and figuratively. In a literal sense, I’m considering revisiting old stories and completing them. I’m giving strong consideration to documenting stories that I have and have had the privilege of hearing. I plan to spend more time reading and enjoying stories. I plan to spend more time writing and sharing stories. I plan to visit inspiring locations to cultivate my imagination and my soul. I want 2012 to be a year of embracing stories and story-telling.
#Reverb11: Gift
Gift (Written by Holly Root): This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?
The best gift was offered to me ten days ago by a very dear friend. She’s my blog buddy and has been for quite some time now. Nicki of Suddenly Not So Single Journey gave me a copy of her newest book, Live the List. Live the List is one part narrative, one part self-help, and one part inspiration. At a time in my life when the ups are fewer and farther between and the downs are crushing, soul-shattering moments of hopelessness, Live the List reminded me that everyone needs to find moments of happiness in even the toughest situations. It reminded me that spring always follows winter — that spring is coming, and I need to bundle up just a bit longer before the new blooms of opportunity and hope begin to appear once more. Live the List inspired me to gather my family together on New Year’s Day for some good family bonding over listing our goals and intentions for the year. I want to remember to “find my happy,” just like Nicki does. Even now she’s still finding her happy, even while on bed rest — life or death bed rest that could result in not only the death of her unborn baby girl but also the death of herself. If she can find happiness while doing her very best to fight for her daughter’s survival, then I should have no trouble at all finding happiness. And while I’m almost 36 hours late on this post, I’m glad I’m writing this review today because I’ve once again remembered that I must work extra hard to be happy. I can’t just flop on the couch and bemoan my woes. I have to get up, dust off the misery, and find the nearest opportunity for a smile. And so should you. Grab a copy of Live the List and get inspired to start living for those moments of happiness. Start living with the intention of being happy, even when the line seems ten miles long. While you’re waiting, you just might find a good reason to smile, giggle, or have a belly laugh.
*Note: I decided to skip the Defining Moment prompt. I reread it and realized I was about to give myself the same headache as I did last year — only this year I’d get the headache of attempting to determine a defining moment. Let’s leave obscurity out of this process of reflection and manifestation.
#Reverb11: Photo
Photo (Written by Tracey Clark): Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.
Well, this isn’t exactly a “good” picture of me, but I didn’t feel like I took “good” pictures this year. The battle of the bulge has been rather troublesome this year, but this picture captures my essence. My husband took this earlier this year when we were enjoying a meal of baked ziti, salad, and Italian bread at the table. That door is the door — the separation that maintains our privacy. On the surface, this picture shows that I’m a married mother who really doesn’t mind a messy baby. He was eating — you want me to aggravate him between bites to wipe up the drool and crumbs? There’s no shame in wearing your food well. If you want to go a little deeper, this picture shows you exactly who I am and who I strive to be. I’m the mother who values quality family time around the table — and a good meal. I want to enjoy as many of these moments as possible. I want to nourish my family with love, good food, and strong values. And most of all, I want to be able to dictate when and how often we enjoy these meals. Not some schedule. Not some work stashed in a brief case (or in my case, a messenger bag). Me. Strong-willed little me. They’re growing up so fast, and I want to experience it.
