Friday, January 1, 2010

casting shadows, lasting footprints



this time of year is so inspirational to me. it is a time to reflect on my life, where i've been and where i'm going. dreams found and new hopes born. did i cast long shadows of joy and leave lasting footprints of inspiration in 2010? did i challenge myself to be a better person and to grow in new ways? where did i succeed . . . or fail? here's a quick peek at my scorecard for 2009:

blogging continued to be a big source of joy and a soulful creative outlet for me in 2009, allowing me to spread my wings and soar to new creative heights with my poetry, writing and photos.

photography -- i realized my dream of owning a nikon camera and have relished the challenge of photographing interesting subjects and altering them in photoshop.

i had a goal of dropping 15 pounds in 2009 but alas i weigh at least 15 pounds over what i weighed on this day a year ago. i guess that just means that my shadow is wider than it used to be.  hee hee

i joined facebook and twitter. facebook i enjoy. twitter not so much!

my dream of selling prints of my art was realized early in 2009 when i bought my epson r1900 printer. love it!!!

for 2 years in a row i've set a goal of being published in a craft or art magazine like somerset news or cloth, paper, scissors. and for the 2nd year in a row, i failed. i didn't even submit anything for consideration. maybe 2010 will be my year!!!

in the fall of 2008 i promised myself that i would do anything in my power to keep presley as happy and comfortable as possible for as long as possible. i learned a lot about myself and what i'm capable of during the process of caring for him in 2009. the toughest lesson of all was that sometimes the best way to love is to let go. i still miss him every day and in that i continue to learn and grow.

we were blessed with a third grandchild in march -- benjamin matthew. i'm still amazed by my heart's ability to love so deeply. and, i can't imagine a better way to cast shadows and leave lasting footprints than with my grandchildren.

each of you has played your own unique role in spurring my creativity and growth in 2009. your sweet words of encouragement and support have been the wind beneath my wings. your blog posts are a constant source of inspiration. and your friendship has cast loving shadows and lasting footprints on my heart, dear friends. my cup runneth over!

goodbye 2009. hello 2010, a new year of hope, peace, love and joy. here i come!





12 comments:

RNSANE said...

Dear Julie, you've written wonderful words to start the year off! I think you've been a great success...as for the pounds, ah, that is always so difficult. I did lose 15 ( need to lose 100 ) and have kept them off thus far but I don't exercise. I hate it. I'd be doing cartwheels if I could lose another 15 by year's end.

I look forward to another year of your wonderful creativity!

lori vliegen said...

here's to a new year filled with creativity, love, art, friendship and abundant blessing.....(we'll share our challenge of having wider shadows! hee hee)!!
hugs, :)))

Tracy said...

you words are so beautiful. wishing you another year of health and well being.

Almost Precious said...

Julie -
A very Happy New Year to you !
May 2010 be one blessed with the brotherhood and sisterhood of mankind being just that...a family of all humanity. May we all share in goodwill, in happiness, in health and in peace and prosperity.

Ah, yes it all ends with a long, low sigh...if only ! What does it take to open the eyes of those so ignorant they refuse to see that we are all equal, we are all the children of a greater power, a creator who goes by many names?

Oh well, I will continue to dream this elusive dream.
With my fondest wishes,
Anna

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Best of luck with all of your goals this year Julie. Happy New Year.

PrairiePeasant said...

I feel blessed to have met you through the blogosphere in 2009. Wishing you all the best in the new year! :)

WW said...

Lovely words Julie.
May you have a terrific New Year!

Mary said...

I hear you on the 15 lbs! I realized today I have a "muffin top" and I don't mean the kind you eat!!!
sigh!!! The 20 lbs I lost this past year seem to have made their way back!!!!

Julie, wishing you a fabulous New Year!!!

Mary Wadsworth said...

Happy New Year Julie!

Best wishes,
Mary

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

I believe it's just a matter of time before you are the Stampington books. But of course, you must submit or it won't happen. I loved your part about Presley. You are a person that brings me inspiration through the year and I so look forward to your upcoming works of art. I got my Nikon for Christmas so now I am thrilled. I lost 22 lbs since Sept and gained back 7 over the holidays. It's such a battle. Your work is amazing!! Trish

Auburn Kat said...

Happy New Year! I hope that you have a wonderful 2010!

Shana said...

Such a wonderful post with such a wondrous photo. Wishing you and yours a blessed 2010!