what i learned about true inspiration and the advice to be kind

Today I learned that sometimes an inspiration does not care to be called an inspiration.  And though some choices may be made for you, real grace arises when you flow and float with what is delivered; even more amazing when the choice was not your own.

So, though it may not be your choice to be called an inspiration, that makes you one even more as you have embraced your circumstances with grace and eloquence, continuing to embrace living, fighting your own battle and giving others resources to fight their own.

Choosing how to show up.

Jackie O passed away from brain cancer, triumphant in spirit to the end.  You can still support her cause by bidding at this auction and learning more about what Jackie's friends are doing.

.... and you can still be inspired by her life's work and her lasting message.

here's to blogging one more time in 2011!

It's been a great year. A challenging year, but a good year of perseverance and patience that I've made it through. In February I picked up on the Power Year idea and choose a representational animal (the walrus - my own addition, not part of the official Power Year agenda) and set about choosing SMART goals for myself.

I did go from having a short-term part-time job, to having no job, to having a full-time job with benies. That was great in addressing my survival mode outlook. I finally could look at what would be best use of my creative time and talents, my health, and my social needs and no longer do what ever it took to make cash. It was at the end of the year, settling into a regular income, that I made tons of progress and, again, though challenging, got to see a very clear picture of my life and priorities.

I now understand I super-value my time. This is something many people with competing interests, commitments, jobs, families... can understand. Yet, add to it a body that has limitations and isn't always available to meet even my basic needs. I had to get really good at letting things go and living in limbo, in the in-between time. Which is actually an awesome lesson as we are all in limbo and in-between time. Nothing is guaranteed to us, nothing is certain. But what I'm practicing to make certain is that I'll always do the next right thing to take care of my health and well-being.

I can get through *tough* when I have faith and hope. And I'm grateful those didn't falter throughout the year. The thoughts of "this too shall pass" and "when you're going through something tough, keep going!" come to mind. I kept chipping away and making any progress I could. I also had patience when it felt like I was just standing still. With stillness comes insight. (Add more meditation to my list!)


Here are a couple of sites that I've read over in preparing for 2012.  I'll be sharing more of my outcome in the next few days.

Nicole Is Better
She shares how to celebrate this year and prepare for the next year.  There's even a download to plotting out 27 action items per month!

A Beautiful Mess
Elsie shares how to make and keep resolutions.

When I Grow Up Coach
Some links Michelle shares to closing up the year.

I'm excited for 2012 and look forward to sharing the year with creative and courageous people!

Until then... xoxo!

{power year} an introduction.

//source//

Hello peeps.  I just reviewed my twenty-11 intentions and all is so far, so good.  And that's good news. 

Why?  Cuz I've just embarked on a supportive process with Ms. Megan Quicke of The Power Year, and also Coffee Adventures.  I'm doing my own Power Year.  You can too if you'd like to follow along on her blog.  Very inspiring.  She lays out the steps to getting goals accomplished one by one.

At the end of January I was on the facebooks and asked Megan if she'd be doing any online workshops like the ones she's led in-person in Denver.  Don't you know, lo and behold, she acknowledged my comment in 2 minutes and in just the next 29 minutes got a call to action and sign up deadline for her Online Power Year Pledge Class posted on her facebook wall!  Inspiring.  I signed up.

Here are the first few tasks she charged us with, her Online Power Year Pledge Class, and my responses.  I'm tellin' ya, so i'll be accountable to ya.  Thanks in advance.


1. Write a SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time bound) goal for your creative project.

My Power Year SMART Goal:  "Produce well received and highly sought-after, profit-generating art." 

Now here that is broken down into what the Specifics look like... (most of these will be Measured in time - at least 3 hours of activity in these areas per week, that's a stretch for me to make that time commitment Attainable, but I'm up for the challenge.  These examples are Relevant to succeeding at my goal and the Time-boundness equals 3 hours per week throughout the Power Year!)

Produce:  schedule creative time; have ready supplies, inspiration, skill, and s p a c e; create prototypes to maximize efficient generation

well received:  develop packaging/branding; provide awesome customer service; seek feedback

and highly sought after:  online marketing of my brand; IRL networking; utilize Facebook and Twitter; offer my own affiliate program; guerrilla/community awareness; ask other bloggers/artists for reviews; comment on other blogs, utilize Etsy...

profit-generating:  participate in affiliate programs; host blog ads; wholesale goods; set appropriate price points to cover time, labor, overhead, etc.

art:  develop my own style; practice sketching; review and practice what I've been taught; study; collect inspiration

2. Then, write down five or less rules (or if you like the word “guidelines” better, cool) you will live by, in order to help you achieve your goal.

My 5 Power Year Rules:

1.  80/20 rule - if 80% completion is reached - celebrate!!!
2.  Be productive for at least 15 minutes each day
3.  Create and follow a budget
4.  Put self-care first (11 minutes meditation, 3 meals a day, 30 minutes exercise 3 times/week, get 8-10 hours of sleep/day)
5.  Jump in where I am - no accumulation!

3. Finally, identify five or less items that will be your FEBRUARY FOCUS

My February Focus:

1.  15 minutes per day clean and organize!
2.  Dating clean up - use the time to get my sh*t together first!
3.  Take a current life status inventory - what's what and where I'm at
4.  Practice my routines for the year, add them in, get up to speed, test what works (i.e.  my Power Year rules)
5.  Design and launch my Power Year give-a-way or promo (it'll be on the 11th [my Power Day] of each month, starting in March)

and P.S. my Power Year Animal is the Walrus (slow, but moving) and my Power Year Word is *pleasure*!!!

That's it folks.  A lovely foray to success and accomplishing my goals!!!  Couldn't come at a more grateful time!  I'll be sharing updates to my progress with the Power Year, my monthly focus, and for you - a monthly give-a-way or treat of some kind... stay tuned!

xo, Z

{gold!} a modern twist!

i'm loving the change in outlook a little paint can create!  just applying a different approach to painting a figurine adds freedom, possibility, and relevance.

check these out!

this collaborative, limited edition project can be found here.

i've seen 70's style vintage wall hangings and figurines spray painted a modern pink or aqua.  i just picked up a couple items to paint on my trip back east.  perhaps some dots are in order as well...

what's your crafty project for the day?

xoxo,
rootmix