And so, my friends, we come to the end (nearly) of this tumultuous, unruly year, this 2022. One more year around the Sun - the universe spins on and we with it, just along for the ride really. This means, for the seventh year in a row, I’ll be heading away for a few days to take a tiny break from social media – four days to inhale, quiet the cacophony in my head and take stock of my, and our, place in the universe.
That also means Little Bean’s eighth birthday, which we'll celebrate with enormous pride and pomp, piles of sugar, mess making and ruckus causing. I’m certian tacos will also be involved.
As an annual tradition to begin for all my new followers, and as a yearly challenge to those that have been with me since the beginning of this magnificent ride, here's a variation of a little something I post each year as a challenge to each of you in these final couple days of the year.
Go do art. Do art (#doart).
Art is passion, so go do whatever brings you to life, that makes you sing. It's easy to get sidetracked at this time of year by goals not accomplished, by the stress of the holidays. How often we lose track of time, of money, of family, always busy.
My challenge to you then – go away externally or internally, for a couple days. Find your head space. It’s only a couple days. Trust me, you’ll live. Create. Write. Paint. Build stuff. Learn something new. Read one of those dusty books on your shelf you always said you would. Read out loud to your cat. Go consciously love somebody. Cook for fun. Eat something new that you never have before. Learn how to juggle. Learn how to sew. Clean your closet. Clean somebody else's closet. Wear your socks backward, or on your head. Listen to music you never have before and then tell your best friend about it. Tell us about it.
Lay out all your polymer clay and build wild, beautiful creations.
What I’m suggesting is that you take one thing, just one, and deliberately move forward. Do the thing you've been saying for years you're gonna do but never had the time.
Or conversely, do nothing. Literally find a half hour and sit there quietly and think about stuff. Or don't think. Just sit and listen to your heartbeat.
You have four days to make yours and maybe somebody else's world a tiny bit better. Don't wait for something bad to happen. Don’t expect something good to happen. Don't wait for Jan. 1 because there is no reset. Don't wait for somebody else to do it. Just make it better.
You.
Make.
It.
Better.
So, let's all meet back here next week with something intimate and personal and beautiful.
You are all the best. This space has been an honor and privilege to curate, and a joy to have you in my life. Now, seriously, trust me on this, get going. See you in a few days. Go now. Go make art.
Thanks ... trying.