New year, new giveaway.

I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I like making resolutions.  I had a few ideas for new year's resolutions floating around in my head before January first -- but I was still feeling exhausted after a stressful December, and couldn't quite get myself to focus long enough to make a plan.  (And I love a plan!)  So when I woke up ealier than everyone else on Sunday, I lingered a few minutes over my ideas...and resolved to keep it simple. 

This year I will honor my gifts.  Instead of being drawn into the web of worry and guilt that often accompanies my creating, I will focus on gratitude for my talents.  Of course, I'd prefer to have a roadmap, but this is a journey that just doesn't have one.  I don't know what route I'll take, what the mileposts are, but I do know that I'll put one foot in front of the other and hope I end up in an even better place.

This week I'll be mailing out the first Quote of the Month.  You can win a year's subscription to Quote of the Month (a $54 value) by leaving a comment with your answer to one of these questions: 

*what is your new year's resolution?  OR

*what is one thing I can do to achieve my own resolution?

Be sure to comment by Thursday night, and I'll draw one winner on Friday morning (1/6/2012).  And if you've already purchased a Quote of the Month series for yourself, you can still enter & have the new set sent to a friend.

Happy new year!

Comments

[jen]

Instead of a resolution, I'm focusing on "one little word" (a'la http://aliedwards.com/blog/one-little-word). My 2012 word is MORE: I want to forgive more, love more, move more, live more.

[chel]

My resolution is the same as yours- to use my gifts. To define what being an artist means to me, and why I can't seem to authentically claim that as my "thing" - I feel like I'm some huge imposter, still. I want to figure that all out. My "one little word" is THRIVE- I think I spent most of year figuring out some basics about myself and now I want to sort of stretch my wings and see what happens if I try to fly a little bit...

[Kim]

Just as Jen wrote above, as I get older, I've been leaning more toward a "word of the year" instead of a resolution. This year I believe my word will be "enough". I tend to have a hard time forgiving myself when I don't accomplish everything on my to-do list, don't use every second of my day in my definition of "productively", continuously fail at loving unconditionally, etc. Instead of going to bed at the end of the night looking back at all that I DIDN'T do, I'm going to rest in the fact that I did ENOUGH, and that God's grace is enough for all the rest that fell through the cracks... :)

[Michael Nelson]

I love the words/resolutions so far!

I'm also doing one little word...My word last year was courage. For 2012 it is "LEAP!"

Thanks for the inspiration and opportunity, Gina!

[Sara]

This year I am hoping to give more hugs. Plain and simple!

[MoniQ in WI]

I am in sync with you--but many steps behind! I have creative talents I do not nurture...I don't allow myself to "play" (create)until all the work is done (housework, parenting, paid employment, family attention). You know what that means: rarely do I make anything, other than the knitting I can take along with me to commitments (and that knitting so often has a gift-related deadline). My resolution is to create weekly...which is a big step from where I have been.

[Kate S]

I am working on a resolution coupled with the "one little word" challenge, but I'm not there yet. Something around making time for the people and things I love while cutting back on the time-wasters like too much tv and too much work, plus creating the habit of exercise...

As far as how to achieve a resolution, the biggest thing for me is to think in steps rather than in absolutes. For example, I will never quit watching tv altogether as long as we have a tv, so "cutting back" is more realistic for me.

[Renata]

My mantra for the year is "Let it Be"; that is, let go of worry, and know that things will work out as they should.

As well, I need to remind myself (and others) that creativity is a gift that needs to be nurtured and appreciated.

[kristen]

yay, yay! qotm giveaway!! :)

my new year's *intention* is to get more light into my life - more enlightenment, more lightness, more lightening up, more spreading sunshine to others, & more moments to let my little light shine!

thank you for the opportunity, gina - happy new year! :)

[MelissaPete]

What a fun giveaway! I love my new desk calendar, by the way. :D

I did a Top 5 on my blog which I guess are resolutions. http://www.petersonfvca.blogspot.com/2011/12/top-5s.html

I want to regain/reconnect with myself by getting my weight under control (physical), getting family night lessons in (spiritual), playing with my girls and husband (emotional) and finishing projects that hang over my head (spiritual/emotional). I guess that means I'm turning inward and working on things that are important for peace in my world. :)

[madelia]

My word for the year is "diligent" in all that God has given me to do and that which desires to bulid in me.

[katie]

like you and others, i struggle with the web of worry and guilt. one thing that i've done that has helped me is to change my nighttime thoughts. a time when i tend to do a lot of worrying is when i lie down at night. i have started--just in my head, not on paper--listing three things i am grateful for from that day. it has helped me keep my mind from going to those crazy and exhausting places.

i have just found your shop and blog and love them both. i hope to do the "love your letters" workshop soon and would love to win th quote of the month club.

happy 2012. katie

[Cheryl Jaeger]

Your resolution is right on! As for a helpful step toward nurturing and honoring your creativity, I say figure out a way to minimize your household responsibilities (a.k.a. chores). Delegate, hire out, attack those projects, lower expectations...whatever needs to be, let it be so that you can focus on giving of yourself and exploring your talents. I'm going to heed the same advice. Have fun!

[Taylor Jones]

This year for my new year's resolution I will focus on these two quotes:

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who come alive."
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."

I want to find myself this year. I no longer want to go with the flow of everyday life, but strive to do something great with my talents. God gave us all special gifts, in order to glorify Him and I intend to do my best in doing so this year.

[Jess]

I'm going to be more focused this year, and deliberate about my family time and activities. I haven't been happy, at the end of the day, with how little time I've been able to actually spend with the kids, getting to know them, playing, and learning with them.

[Paula Peek]

My resolution is to stop worrying so much! God is in control and worrying will never change the outcome! I am trying to have faith that I am exactly where I am supposed to be and not sweating the small stuff. Life is meant to be enjoyed! :)
Paula

[Sarah Grans]

My resolution is to run more! I want to accomplish my longest run in October - which is a 10 mile, then possibly a half marathon! :)

[LindsayKate]

I'm doing Weight Watchers for my New Years Resolution! I want to be healthier in 2012!

[Jane]

My resolution is to write more letters. A few years ago, I was inspired by your five handwriting tips to write more by hand but this year I also want to handwrite more letters. And with a newborn, I can start with a lot of thank you notes!

In terms of your resolution, I found an Andy Warhol quote that keeps me inspired: "Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it is good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art." I worry about what others will think or if it will be well received rather than just making art. I hope that is encouraging to you too.

[Jeanne Nolden]

Oh, Gina, I have ALWAYS known you were blessed with an extraordinary talent! Appreciating our own talents is not always easy. My resolution is to reconnect with the IMPORTANT people in my life and resolve to make time to be PRESENT to them. (this includes old college roommates)

[karen S]

I love the idea of "one little word," a kind of mantra. Mine will be KINDNESS; to myself, my family, those people I engage in.