My Word for 2014: *IMAGINE*

Chunky Art Journal Sample for my upcoming workshop this month

Last year I chose a word to be my inspiration for the year...I chose "Soar" but this year my word for the year is "IMAGINE".  I chose that word because I realized last year of how much I limit myself and my God...he keeps sending me messages of how much more he has planned for me...how little I think...how I contain my goals and dreams in little boxes and then I realized wow...who am I to limit God?

So I know I can only IMAGINE just how big God can create miracles and destinations for me to experience...so this year I want to leave my mind open for that...to look at the world with the mindfulness of a child again (which is part of the reason I believe he sent Cailan to me)...to simply IMAGINE and keep moving forward in this journey called life!!

So I look forward to this year of 2014 as I do for each years' beginning...but this year is so different because it is a year that I believe that I have began it after much change to my life!  The year 2013 was a year of what I believe was the most 'life altering' year for me...it was a year of growth in so many areas of my life:  Spiritually, Mentally, Artistically and Physically...

Spiritually I learned that no matter what...and I mean no matter what!!  He is always there for us and so are our loved ones...I've always believed that but last years experiences proved that to me.  My spiritual view was extended to an amazing level and this is where I began to realize that in my own lack of faith in myself is where I was limiting God and that who was I to limit him?  He has gifted me in so many ways and I hardly have even tapped into those gifts and have been for many years due to fear of failing...I learned that it's ok to fall, it's ok to take a chance because my God never leaves my side...he is always there and so he will always be...so I can let go of my fears and move forward to the destinations HE wants me to go!

For so many years I would pray for the Lord to lead and guide me to the destination or dreams/goals that I wanted to attain...so this year I am praying to lead and guide me to where HE wants to take me...I feel mentally/emotionally and physically ready for that!  Last year I learned that I am able to accomplish much more than I ever thought possible!  For many years I struggled through feeling like a failure at the end of each year because I would feel like I didn't accomplish anything only because I wasn't accomplishing what I thought I needed to accomplish to feel successful...this is the first time that I felt that I ended the year with pride in my accomplishments which are:

*Being called MOMMY by a beautiful little girl who tells me that she loves me and thanks me for rescuing her (even though she is the one who rescued me!)

*Being able to feel that my Marriage/Love actually grew stronger bonds...that God as our third cord tightened and strengthened our bonds in an almost magical way that I never even knew could be!

*That mentally and physically I am stronger than I thought I was...that when I was squeezed (and boy was I squeezed last year) that I can actually accomplish what I set out to do!!

*Artistically...so many dimensions of growth here:
-I was honored to have my artwork accepted at the Charity Wings Art Center
-I learned a lot in Lifebook 2013, what I mainly learned with those lessons is how important it is for me to stay original and true to my own art style.
-I realized that I need to have direction and a mission statement to keep me focused on why the Lord has blessed me with my artistic gifts whether it be drawing/painting or writings and singing.

So this year of 2014 I look forward to IMAGINE to go where the Lord will lead me in every aspect of my life...I'm so excited and can't wait to see what this year will bring to my life!!