What's in the Bag? - Clearing the Clutter Challenge - Day 1

Thought I would start with clearing out my bag as a challenge, I take my bag/s with me most places and I usually chuck most things in it and end up with a lot of ‘just in case’ items, then have to use move every thing to a bigger bag.  These are the three I have been carrying around at the same time, each with a set of different items,

 

I realised when I really looked at the contents I was also carrying around quite a few non essential items, and that the bags didn't reflect my personality.  

I’ve taken to carrying things just in case and I realised it was time for a clear out as I couldn't always find what I wanted. 

My son does a very good take of me looking for something in my bag and he always shows me as rummaging with my head down. I realised that alongside what I call my 'hand bag' I was carrying additional bags for those oh so essential items.  A clear out came at the right time, I don't think I'll ever be a small bag carrier and will just make a point of carrying what I need in future. When I get to the sorting bags challenge I might have to loose these three.   If you carry a bag, what does the contents say about you?

Happy New Year - January 2012 - Try something new

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With the New Year comes new challenges, goals, dreams desires, and I am really excited to seeing what seeds will bear fruit.  This month I will be having a clear out - 30 things in 30 days, I will be going through all my belongings and seeing what can be re-purposed, recycled, given to charity or sold. I love collecting things and have many things that you think 'that will come in handy for something', and then 5 years later you still haven't used it. I find it especially with mixed media, there are so many things that you can use within your creativity that enables you to hold on to different supplies.

For the month of January everything will need to have a specific purpose, and properly stored and labelled.  In short I want to be more organised and having a clear out is one of the best ways. I will be doing a video update as well - we will see how this goes, might just be a weekly one to begin with.   I have definitely found that doing the challenges has made me more accountable and 30 days goes so quickly

Thanks for all the comments and support for my blog over the years, looking forward to new adventures, and making friendships with so many talent artists around the world, it's really a blessing, and I know that there are definitely exciting things ahead for us all as we step out of our comfort zones and have faith that he who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it......

What will you challenge yourself to do for January?

Try Something New - December Update 2011

I have come to the end of my December 'Try Something New for 30 days' Challenge which was to write a minimum of 100 words a day.  I have written a combination of 14 stories and poems and a total of 17,177 words approx.  I have far exceeded what I thought I would do and feel very blessed to have completed this challenge, its amazing to think of what you can do when you put your mind to it.  I think that I will still continue to finish the rest of the stories on the list over the next few months, and  I would like to also start working on some illustrations for the stories and will be sharing my efforts over time.

As this year closes I have been not only amazed at how fast the year has gone, but the lessons learnt, the doors that closed as well as the ones that opened.  I have learnt this year more so that you get what you put into life, it is meant to be lived to the full - I have always known it but for some reason didn't really 'apply it'.  I don't always make the most of my time, and do have my moments of inactivity, but I know that all the things I ever wanted to do can be achieved by just making an effort, however small!  It is better that you make an effort than nothing at all...  This afternoon I spoke to a cousin who I haven seen for over 10 years, you would think we live on different sides of the world, she lives around 18 miles from me.  Our children have grown and don't know each other, I made a promise to myself to make the effort to renew relationships and friendships and especially for Sekani's sake get him to meet up with all the cousins he hasn't seen for a while or even met.  So I am saying goodbye to inactivity and hello to making the most of everything and with another challenge under my belt, hello 2012!

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 209 - 215

Day 209

Reflection

Don’t settle for less than you deserve

Quote

Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. ...Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Scripture

For He will give his angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways...Psalm 91:11

Day 210

Reflection

What does God say about you?

Quote

Listen. Make a way for yourself inside yourself. Stop looking in the other way of looking.....Rumi

Scripture

I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness..John 12:46

Day 211

Reflection

Focus on what you can do right now

Quote

Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground...Theodore Roosevelt

Scripture

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you...let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...John 14:27

Day 212

Reflection

You deserve the best for your life

Quote

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up....Pablo Picasso

Scripture

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations..Psalm 100:5

Day 213

Reflection

When you think you don’t know or are not sure, listen harder to the messages coming through

Quote

I wouldn't dream of working on something that didn't make my gut rumble and my heart want to explode....Kate Winslet

Scripture

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.  Isaiah 32:17

Day 214

Reflection

Don’t let the energy drainers into your life, focus on what matters most

Quote

 Let go and trust; allow inspiration and imagination to lead the way… beyond the limitations of what the mind knows. ...Linda Saccoccio

Scripture

...He Himself has said, ‘I will never  desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’ Hebrews 13:5

Day 215

Reflection

Don’t settle, make a decision

Quote

Got no check books, got no banks. Still I’d like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the morning’ And the moon at night....Irving Berlin

Scripture

Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened...Matthew 7:7