"Commitment"

I splurged on a set of Angel Cards the other day.  I’ve wanted some for years.  I love how simple they are.  Tiny laminated cards, each with one word and a tiny angel drawing.  When I got home I took them out of the box, mixed them up (upside down) on the couch, closed my eyes, emptied my mind and picked one.  I got “Commitment”. 

Instantly this word brought many thoughts to mind.  First, I thought about my marriage commitment.  Could the card be sending me a message about that?  No, that vow is as solid as can be.  Certainly not commitment to my job, I’m a dedicated teacher through and through.  But what about the promises I’ve made to myself?  To be true to myself, live my dreams, and be kind and compassionate towards others.  Those are the personal commitments I think about every day. 

Then there is the commitment to my current project; setting up an Etsy store by the end of January.  That takes perseverance I didn’t have until now.  I have a plan of action, clear goals, and steps needed to get there.  I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately.  How I will refuse to give up when I get to the difficult, boring, or not fun parts (if there are any).  This project is about much more than starting a hobby-type business; it’s proving I can finish what I start and that I’m devoted to my art.

So, if I feel my art and I are one in the same, then am I not committing to myself as well? 

Baby Steps

I’ve been sick with a nasty lingering cold for the past two weeks and haven’t had any energy left at the end of the day for art making.  So, I’ve been taking this time to do a little research on a project that has been on my mind the past five years.  

I love making jewelry!  I can only make so much for birthday gifts and myself before going broke.  It feels like time to put some of it out there in the world, sell it (or try to) and at the very least, use the money to help me make more.  I could use a little extra income anyway; it would be an adventure, and hopefully just plain fun!

Pictured here is my meager stack of books on how to start a crafting business.  I just read the one on top.  One of the suggestions was about writing a Blog.  Well, I can check that off!  Except that I need to blog more.  As I read the author’s suggestions I realized that I have plenty of things to write about and just need to sit down and get to it.  So here I am.

Years ago I read about SARK’s micormovements, tiny little baby steps one takes towards a goal.  I think of myself as starting to take those steps now.  It makes a big goal or task easier to do.  Instead of procrastinating (and doing nothing for long periods of time) I’m making a little progress every day.

“All of my 11 published books, posters, cards, and company exist due to many thousands and thousands of micromovements all strung together. I think of the micromovements as tiny colored beads that have helped me be someone who lives in her dreams instead of only talking about them.” – SARK 

Here is a link to SARK’s web page: http://www.planetsark.com/