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Dreamscape Jewelry Design

January 2, 2022: Setting The Stage for 2022

“Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.”

—Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Our New Year’s Eve this year was a quiet one. We had been exposed to CoVid the week before and were waiting the results of our tests (fortunately negative). Unwilling to take the chance that we might unwittingly pass it on, we chose to stay at home. The evening gave us a gift of time to reflect on 2021 and shared what our hopes and dreams were for 2022. Four guiding questions helped focus our reflections: What went well in 2021? What didn’t? What changes can we make in the coming year? What do we hope will happen? We evaluated both the highs and the lows and considered what changes we wanted to make and adventures to plan. We also shared what parts of our life we were grateful for; in essence, we counted our blessings of family, friends, a home, health, and meaningful work. This time of reflection gave us resources to “set the stage” for 2022.

“Life is about change, sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s beautiful, but most of the time it’s both.”

—Kristin Kreuk

2021 was a rollercoaster year, and like life, had both high points and lows. Although some of our jewelry shows were still cancelled due to the pandemic, we still were able to participate in eleven. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to see our customers and fellow artists again. We didn’t mind any safety precautions as it enabled us to be once again on the road. In February, a serious back injury from a fall on the ice, turned out to be a positive experience. While recuperating for months, I had ample time to focus on learning more about photography, taking online classes and experimenting with a new camera. These endeavors led to an expansion of my nature photography with cards, calendars and prints, now in a gallery, local stores and on our website.

One lesson we learned from 2020, was how much we treasured the time spent at our camp and studio in northern Maine. Usually Summer and Fall are our busiest times for shows. When everything was cancelled in 2020, we actually had time to explore this beautiful area as well as other interests. As a result, one of our goals for 2021 was to find a balance between work and play. The time spent in nature continues to inspire and renew us. We’ve made it a priority to try and get outdoors whenever weather is permitting. No matter how challenging events can be, nature is a remarkable teacher who tells us, by example, that life goes on in ways we can’t always foresee, but always results in both change and growth.

The continued goal of finding balance is accompanied by the one of supporting creative interests. In retrospection, the only way I can become a better painter, photographer, writer, etc. is to set and prioritize both intentions and time. It also means becoming more organized with my energy, materials, space and time. While organization seems to be a repeating goal and one I continue to struggle with, it’s one that I realize is a necessity if I want any dreams to reach fruition.

The last goal is to be healthy. This involves the whole gamut from emotional to physical and encompasses financial, intellectual and spiritual health as well. Focusing on health sets the stage for the decision making we have to do every day. The choices we make, whether it’s the food we eat, to the relationships or work we engage in, all determine our state of health.

In setting the stage, we now have a script that can direct the coming acts. Although we can’t predict how the show will turn out, we have the inspiration and motivation to help guide us on our way.

Thank you as always for taking the time out of your busy life to read our blog. We hope you have time for reflection and to plan your own stories in the coming year.

We’ve found some quotes to help inspire you. Please feel free to share your thoughts or quotes that are meaningful to you in the space below.

Best regards, Wendy

Set The Stage With Inspirational Quotes for the New Year

 “The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.”

―Josiyah Martin

 “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

“New year—a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.”

—Alex Morritt

 “And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.”

Rainer Maria Rilke

“Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”

—Helen Keller

“The New Year is a painting not yet painted; a path not yet stepped on; a wing not yet taken off! Things haven’t happened as yet! Before the clock strikes twelve, remember that you are blessed with the ability to reshape your life!”

―Mehmet Murat ildan

“New year—a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.”

—Alex Morritt

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

—Albert Einstein

 “Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.”

―Germany Kent

“Make New Year’s goals. Dig within, and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you’re interested in fully living life in the year to come.”

—Melody Beattie

“Each year’s regrets are envelopes in which messages of hope are found for the New Year.”

—John R. Dallas Jr.

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.”

—Neil Gaiman

 “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.”

—Joseph Campbell

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