Of all the pictures I took on the Amalfi Coast recently, this is one of my favorites. With all the brilliant colors, the azure blue skies that touch and float on the cobalt blue sea, the yellow and orange of citrus blooming everywhere, the multicolored tile work, even the pinks and corals and greens of houses that hugged the cliffs, here stood an artist, facing his canvas, just beginning his creation. I loved the promise of it. I loved the moment of it. I appreciated the monochromatic juxtaposition of his being there.
An almost blank canvas. Barely the signs of his rough first sketch.
Like our new year. A tabula rasa.
So we’re a couple days into it. Have you taken some time to gather your paints, stretch your canvas, compost your vision, get your bearings, feel your joy and start to paint? Perhaps tenaciously at first? Knowing where it is, roughly, that you want to be when you’ve completed this particular work?
We have 364 some sunrises and sparkling nights before us, 52 weeks of possibility and promise, 12 months, each unique in flavor, and four seasons that will cycle through us. What a gift. How many hours do we have?
I’m ready to stretch out into the light of the new year.
I’m so happy to have you along. I’ve hoped to create a joyful place of beauty and encouragement here; of peace and fun, and a reminder of how full our lives are, even if our nests are, for the most part, empty. Empty can be a very good thing because it opens up space for new.
Paying attention is my spiritual practice. Sharing it here with you is my canvas. I had no idea how fulfilling this creative adventure would be when I embarked and I thank you so much for reading and sharing and appreciating life along with me. You make the journey worthwhile.
Happy New Year! Can’t wait to see what you create, how you grow and what you enjoy this year!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey through life with us.
My goal is to have something to show for every day this year. Big or small, I will DO something. Whether it is a lesson learned, a previously unfinished project I finally complete, the creation of a list that helps me get organized and focused, doing an un-Tammy-like activity.
This year is all about growth and making life better, for myself and others.
Tammy recently posted..Lessons Learned
Can’t wait to see what you accomplish, Tammy. Big or small is probably key – so that some days you’re satisfied with even a little something and don’t pressure yourself with a daily “big.”
I have truly enjoyed your thoughts and photos. I never make a formal resolution, but just continue to try to enjoy every day. After the cancer deaths of my Mother and Sister, I realized how precious every simple day is.
BTW, Tabula Rasa, the paper store, in Utah is my favorite – talk about beautiful things.
I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in Utah. I just found a stationery store in Portland that’s so great. Couldn’t you just get lost for hours in nice papers, cards, ribbons, stamps, journals, etc.? Ephemera – love it!
Thank you Barb for a totally enjoyable 2012 at your blog. I am looking forward to 2013! I often want to place quotes from your writing around my desk because of the beauty and encouragement that you can wrap up in a sentence.
This year, I hope to create a new home. And I am going to be a grandmother again
Happy New Year!
Oh Robin – that means so much to me and is so nice of you to say. And your new year sounds so promising – a new home and a new grandbaby! Congratulations on both! When is the new baby expected?
Thanks Barb. We are very excited about both – our new home and our new grandbaby – who is expected in July.
Barb,
So grateful to have “met” you. I look forward to sharing and conversing with you here and in my space.
Happy New Year. May 2013 to be filled with light, love, and happiness.
Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri recently posted..Make Mistakes
You too Rudri. I enjoyed reading your favorites from 2012. Am going to check out a couple of the books that I haven’t read, and am so enthralled with Wisdom. Hadn’t heard of it and learned, as usual, something new at your site; your cyber home. And making mistakes? So important for us to learn to not be afraid of or we never dare try new things.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today and for the birthday wishes!
Kristal recently posted..365-2
My pleasure, Kristal. I liked your comment at someone’s site about blogging for self – not for the money or social #’s. I could relate. I could give a big high 5 to that – and it led me to your site. Fun! Thanks for stopping over here too.
What a lovely metaphor – the stretching of the canvas, the sketching out of the composition. It takes time. It can be a pleasurable process because you know you’re properly preparing for whatever comes – not only the planned but the unplanned which might be turned into something even better.
It’s terribly frustrating when there’s no time for proper assessment, preparation of materials and selection of tools – whatever the tasks ahead and the objectives.
So happy to have “discovered” you. Wishing you and yours a glorious 2013.
BigLittleWolf recently posted..Singing the (Budgetary) Blues
I agree, BLW. It’s why I haven’t really started my “painting” yet – still in the sketching stage. My composting. I’m afraid I’m the slow and steady type. I’ll get there, but thoughtfully.
I love your words, Barbara. You are indeed all this: “a joyful place of beauty and encouragement here; of peace and fun, and a reminder of how full our lives are, even if our nests are, for the most part, empty.” All that AND a bag of potato chips.
Thank you for sharing yourself and all that matters to you. It makes a difference to me.
Cheers to 2013 and the potential it holds.
Lisa @ Grandma’s Briefs recently posted..One-word Wednesday: Training
That’s the nicest thing, Lisa! A bag of chips even? Fantastic!
Your blog is lovely and so are you. I love your posts…I come away thinking and/or smiling. Keep it up!
Old Married Lady recently posted..Resolutions?
Lina – how nice to hear from you again! I thought we’d lost you. Happy new year! Heading your way now.
Barb, this is just splendid! Every New Year’s Day is like a brand new slate upon which we write. Or paint. Or whatever. I think that’s one thing that’s so appealing about the turning over of a new year — we have a chance to start anew, to make amends where necessary, to try new things. I look forward to following you and seeing where the year takes you!
Debbie recently posted..Thank You, My Friends!
Thank you so much Debbie – I’m so glad to have you along.
Hi Barb – a very exciting year ahead for me – I graduate from my botanical art course and have to fly to London from Western Australia to do so …
It is such a long way we decided to take a holiday in Italy and will be visiting the Amalfi Coast, staying in Positano!!
So this post is quite poignant for me
Lots of painting ahead – and lots of travel.
I enjoy your blog and look forward to hearing all about 2013 as it happens …
Happy New Year!
Vicki Lee Johnston recently posted..Everything old is new again …
Vicki – that all sounds very exciting! Having to fly to London to graduate? There could be worse things
We stayed in Sorrento while Amalfi coast, but enjoyed Positano and Amalfi while there. Have a fabulous, sunny, balmy, beautiful time! (can you tell I’m currently in the depths of winter and missing that sunshine so very much??)