"Less becomes MORE"

Simplicity....minimalism....in things as well as thoughts take on a greater significance as the years roll along (at least for me). Find myself thinking about the simplicity (albeit very powerful) wisdom found in a little book "The Four Agreements" (link in former blog).....guess because I'm in the process of weeding out a mountain of material "stuff" I've hauled around for years, I find myself being drawn back to the merits of scaling down. Favorite quotes from the past form a solid foundation in setting a path towards my future:

• "If you want to travel far, travel light."
• "If THINGS begin owning YOU instead of YOU owning THEM, it's a call for change."
• "The home exists to serve YOU: you do not exist to serve the HOME."
• "Know thyself."

Just a few for the sake of brevity....could well consume a blog of great length....but all of that to lead up to the beauty of THE FOUR AGREEMENTS:

• #1 Be impeccable with your word
• #2 Don't take anything personally
• #3 Don't make assumptions
• #4 Always do your best

There you have it......simplicity of thought & action that holds some of the most powerful wisdom in life. Of course, the book gives terrific examples of each of the "agreements" & it needs to be read to understand the cultural framework for its statements.

Only four things.....each of which, if applied consistently, can revolutionize one's life!

New Year's Day 2009

How well I remember watching "2001-A Space Odyssey" and feeling like 2001 was soooo far away! And now it's 2009......goodness.

I find the New Year a good time for re-assessment.....not that I buy into all of the "resolution" mania. It's just a natural thing for me to look back over past accomplishments and assess directions for new goals.....most likely that's how the whole New Year's resolution thing got started anyhow.

Things I feel good about? Taking the plunge when I was in my fifties to carve out a new business life for myself. I was in a secure job as a public school teacher, but had always had the desire to really push myself as an artist. While raising my family (now all grown), I was happy for the opportunity to work as an Art Teacher in pub. schools....schedule was same as kids, good benefits, etc., but allowed little time for me to really expand my horizons as an artist.

It was RISKY to withdraw myself from "the system" and strike off on my own as a professional artist AND it was a thing I'll never regret!

New Goals? Presently moving toward SEMI-retirement. I'll NEVER retire from being an artist....it's my life's blood. Semi-retirement will, however provide me with opportunities that will be purely enriching. Husband and I will downsize our home, build a new studio facility & travel more, camp more, fish more (for him!!) and me?.......I'll spend alot more time soaking up all the beautiful moments in life that feed and inspire my artist's heart & soul. Completely expecting that, this time next year, we will be nestled into our new community of Paonia & enjoying every minute of a new lifestyle!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE......may 2009 be the best ever!