December 30, 2018: What is Your Dreamscape?
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”Harriet Tubman
As we begin a new year, a long standing tradition is to set goals or make resolutions to make positive changes in our lives. In 1918, the most common resolutions were eating healthier, exercising more, and saving more money. Other top resolutions were increasing self-care, reading more, learning a new skill, or making new friends. All are affirmative endeavors which are supposed to make us happier, healthier, and more successful.
But in my mind, I also believe that it’s important at the beginning of a new year to think of our dreams. These dreams are not a to-do list, but are ones to inspire and motivate us to live our lives more fully, to reach all aspects of our personalities leading to a sense of fulfillment and emotional wellness. These are dreams that sing a song from your soul.
One of my dreams is to explore more of the artist who lives inside me. I want to increase opportunities to work on my photography and watercolor painting. Last year, while I did make time to “play” with my camera, I only painted four times. I love the ebb and flow of watercolors and find it soothing. I take delight in how the different characteristics of the paint creates both light and texture. But our busy show season and a myriad of life’s demands always seemed to put painting on a very back burner. As a result, my paints and art papers seem to wave at me when I walk by, and too many times I’ve promised myself…….later.
One of my favorite quotes is from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” If you substitute the word goal with dream, “a dream without a plan is just a wish.”
So one of my dreams for 2019 is to paint more. Yesterday I put a plan in motion. I signed up for a series of watercolor classes with an artist whose stye I admire. It’s my first step but an important one. I’m bringing the paints out and giving myself both opportunity and permission to play.
In talking with my husband and jewelry business partner Ron, he wants to have time to explore more aspects of silversmithing, as well as hike more of the mountains in Maine. For him, the mountains always sing to his soul and silversmithing is a relatively new adventure into the world of creativity, one that brings him great joy.
If we look at our lives as a landscape that contains many paths to choose from, what will you choose to do in 2019? We’d love to hear about the dreams that whisper or sing in your heart. Whether they are traditional resolutions, or ones that fulfill a quiet longing, what do you see as your dreamscape? If you’re willing, share your thoughts in the comments below.
Marta BurkeJanuary 9, 2019
I love your idea of planning to “play.” My goal this year is to be more intentional about what I do. I think it’s interesting that I, too, wanted to find time to water color. I don’t have near the experience that you have, but what little I’ve done I have enjoyed. My husband encouraged me to find a way to learn more about water color. and I discovered this class was available. I’m looking forward to the class and trying new approaches to art and how I express it. It makes it even more special to have you and your creativity in the class. I think it will also be incentive foe me to stretch and grow. It’s exciting to follow our dreams together.
WendyJanuary 11, 2019
I think the whole idea of “playing” allows our curiosity and creativity to flourish rather than be cowed by the more serious voice of the “critic” who also lives inside of us. I try to look at each picture as a learning experience and ask myself the following questions: What did I like about it, what I didn’t and what i’ll do differently next time. I think the class will be a great opportunity to learn and grow.
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