New Year’s arrival is a typical time to create to-do lists, set goals, make plans, set forth to organize and dare to dream a little!

We see things that worked, that didn’t work and we can improve on.

***

GOD, he laughs at my plans….

  I don’t plan for the journey…EVER.  I start with an idea and want the end results right away…… I don’t plan on the journey, the middle part, the important part…..and He laughs and laughs and laughs.  He always has my best interest in mind and knows better…His plans for my life are bigger than I can even imagine.

I am speaking mostly about my creative (become business) plans……as I look back 30 years ago, I see how the journey was laid out for me and I even laugh at what I thought I could accomplish without knowing ‘the know’ way back then.  But….It all unfolded even better than what I had dared to dream……I just needed to have patience to learn, to grow and to listen to GOD. (Yes, even 30+ years).   It was the journey that was important.  His plan for me, not my plan for me.

I can remember the first moment  I wanted to design a Decorative Art pattern packet, I was a dreamer, I became passionate immediately for the Decorative Arts ~ I had only been painting a few years, but wanted instantly what the ‘Big Brushes’ were doing.  I wanted to design my own pattern with no experience what-so-ever…can you imagine?

He kept me moving forward on my path to learn and grow towards this dream. And guess what?  It still happened…..  The path that GOD laid out for me. He knew I needed the journey, I just didn’t see it and so happy I didn’t miss it!

 I can remember another dream ~ to be published in a magazine.  Was I ready? Should I submit?  I was part of the Decorative Art World about 20 years at this point and was scared………I nervously submitted.

I received a phone call about 3 months later from Jake, the Editor, my first new design was accepted….oh my goodness! I drove my family nuts, I think I called every member of my family, even second cousins.  I was that excited…..seeing my piece, my pattern, my design, my name in that magazine was simply amazing!

The magazines, the books, the patterns, the convention booth, the blog, the studio, the classes, the seminars, the workshops and so on ~ the journey was taken and I was ready as everything presented itself along the way.

• 

• 

Well here I am setting forth my plan, my dream, my desires, my goals, and my wish list for the 2017 New Year.  It is something to work towards, a check list (I love a checklist), remembering to enjoy the journey, whether it be long or short ~ because it is that much more rewarding.

There may even be some twists and turns in a different direction (even bumps in the road), something unexpected, something even better!  I am open to GOD‘s plan….and the journey that may come with it.

**********

 The Plan

Work Smarter and Harder – to grow.

  Take Care of Myself – I lost that part during all my busy-ness.  It is important.

  Make Time for Family  – that’s a given.  My niece is almost ready for her box of crayons.

Listen and Spend Time with GOD –   It makes for a great day.

Make Things Better, improve on what is good–   you know, little things…

  Create Quality Classes –  …..build an audience.

  Work on Our Next Book – with Jane Allen and Wendy Young – It’s gonna be a good one!

 Plan Our Retreat – in September with Jane and Wendy- More info coming this year.

Work on the ‘ Halloween Orney Club’ – with Sheila Landry!  May release…

 Source my Rubber Stamp Designs –….crossed fingers, am I ready?  A new adventure….

  Finish my Home Studio –   Make it pretty!

  Design my very Own Studio at Tink’s Antiques (2nd floor)  – In the works…..

  Leave Room to Grow – and for the unexpected…

 Visit Fun Places –  stay rejuvenated and creative….

 Let Go….of  the unnecessary, be generous.

I could go on and on….with my personal and business life list of wishes and to-do’s, some change from year to year, some stay the same.

  It is good to have plans, dreams and desires, just be sure to have a little wiggle room for the unexpected and enjoy the journey too!

Believe in yourself when no one else does, because GOD believes in you….then you can look back and say ‘I told you so’ !

What do you have planned for 2017?

*****************

On a side note….but oh’ so wonderful.  Are you a follower of Where Women Create?  It is a wonderful magazine and so much more….I have learned so much within their pages.

www.wherewomencreate.com

Their ‘motto’ below is something to live by….creatively speaking.

TOGETHER, whether we create with our hands or offer a helping hand, each of us can make a difference for all of us … WHAT IS IMPORTANT is that we work together, help each other, support each other, promote each other, reach out to each other … so that we can each/all be a true success story … however you define it.   Reach out every day to promote a friend … we can do this … together.