Practicing

 The last few days I've been gearing up for the Sketchbook Challenge.  I've been drawing a quilt pattern idea and have been amazed how relaxing this is!  Wanting to be "ready" and "equipped" for this challenge I've been reading the different comments made by others who are taking on this challenge. Many of them talk about mentally "freezing up" while staring at the blank white page.  I too thought I would be challenged by the blank page, or challenged by what to draw; surprisingly its not been difficult.

In fact as I was drawing, I started thinking about goals for 2011 and was playing with that idea. Goals for the new year are always something I think about as the current year ends.  Doesn't everyone?  Anyway, as I was pondering this idea of goals, one of the phrases used in the sea of activity/goals for 2011 is "right brain release" and "left brain restraint".  Katie Masopest has a drawing in one of her books that illustrates the many thoughts of the left brain uses to intimidate the right brain as the left brain fights for control.  Its really a fun picture.  So I've been enjoying this new freedom of releasing the right brain to play.  Losing oneself in play/creative work is very healthy.  Sounds crazy doesn't it?  I remember being at a quilt guild meeting where our evening speaker (a nurse) was sharing the many healthy results from allowing oneself the gift of "playing".  So "playing" will be one of my goals for 2011.

Another goal is to work on downsizing.  That means getting rid of things be it sharing, throwing, or regifting.  I've been praying that I will be enabled to let go.  I know that if I don't have the Lord's strength I will continue to hang on, and live with lots of clutter.  I don't want to do that.  So last night I was sorting through a few books to share with others.  I know its not 2011 yet, but I'm warming up! Though these aren't finished, I just want to document their progress for now: