My focus for 2013 is: getting more creative!
The past year I’ve been looking inward, searching for ways to be more balanced and self-loving, dealing with fear and procrastination and from there reaching outward in love to others, rekindling old relationships.
I regularly wrote about the benedictine monks and their daily practices, which inspired me and led me to interesting insights about time, setting priorities and being mindful and grateful.
I also found out that from silence comes balance and serenity which in turn gives birth to inspiration and creativity.
Here’s a sneak peak at ways in which I want to
BE more creative and DO more creative things regularly in the new year:
1) Chihuahua A Day
On the first of January I started my Chihuahua A Day project on Instagram. I love taking little snapshots of pretty things and animals, making a cute little virtually framed ‘painting’ out of them. It makes me feel joyful and gets my creative juices flowing!
And who would be better and prettier to portray than my precious blonde 10 pound chihuahua Kiara.
2) Writing regularly with low thresholds
In 2012 I have learned an invaluable tool in my battle against perfectionism and fear based procrastination: setting encouragingly low thresholds to start an activity: committing to write at least 1 line a day. Possibly more, but one is enough and is just as big an accomplishment as writing whole page.
I’m learning that there are shades of grey between black and white.
I apply this to my blog writing as well as other activities and tasks. A true breakthrough for me!
3) Creative prayer and meditation
I also want to get more creative in my prayer and meditation.
Recently I got a lot of helpful hints from different sources suggesting I can pay or meditate as I am. Everybody is made unique, so why do I think I have to pray or meditate in the same way as other, completely different people and that there’s even a right or wrong way to do it?
What freedom lies in that notion!
4) Following the Artist’s Way 
I’m also planning to follow Julia Cameron’s widely acclaimed program: the Artist’s Way, in the new year. Just like a whole lot of (aspiring) artists, I deal with a lot of negative self talk and assumptions about myself, my work and my potential. The Artist’s way deals with that, in a very gentle and encouraging manner, by means of weekly assignments and encouragement.
Simple & Inspired Living 
Hi Ester,
How are you doing? Hope you’r allright.
Finally here’s my comment. No balance in my life last week. Stress, you know. Tired.
But! Tired or not; I did some ice skating (35 km) together with one of my lovely daughters 😉
Health (body and mind) is important to me, but creativity is definitly my nr.1 goal for 2013.
In this case realistic planning is very important to me. Don’t like to be frustrated because of these goals. So I’ve planned weekly 1,5 hours creativity. Could be drawing, painting making pictures, or just new things. One of this new things is a workshop ‘contemplative art’, next month. It also could be writing a short story or a poem… In springtime my first week in a Monastry. Looking forward to it. There will be time for creativity as well. A lot of time to be with God. The day after tomorrow I will talk with some people from my congregation about ‘silence’. About my experience with God in the silence, till now.
I like to share my experience. And some people are interrested. And I hope I will be encouraged again by the experience from other people, living the Benedictine way. Well, you know.
Peace and Blessings,
‘Despair Is A Choice’
This year, I have promised myself to enjoy my Faith. I am a follower of Christ, and this has freed me to truly enjoy each day as a gift and be grateful for it! It has also allowed me to become more creative and more honest with myself within my talents. I am relearning how to sew…how to knit…how to draw. I used to do these things, but then I began to listen to the negative thoughts, aka, self-doubt, and I left my talents untouched.
Thank you for sharing your journey. mb
Dear Maria,
What a beautiful promise you made to yourself!! Faith and joy are such a vital combination I think! That’s exactly what I want to focus on faith-wise this year. I am also a follower of Jesus Christ, since 2005.
How very beautiful that you are relearning to sew, knit, draw. What joy that must give to your Creator, the ultimate creative!
Please keep me posted on how your journey will go. And remember: every negative thought ignored is one victory!! If you “fall” always stand up again, with His help!
I feel honoured to share my journey with you and happy to connect with readers like you. Awesome!!
Love and blessings on your day,
Ester
Thank you Ester. Your words are beautiful 🙂 mb
Wat een mooie voornemens Ester! Ik vind je nu al zo creatief en bubbling. Jij bent mijn voorbeeld van hoe je kan genieten van kleine dingen als nieuwe nagellak, lekkere koffie of een momentje voor jezelf. Ik hou je blog in de gaten. Liefs!
<3!!!! lief!!!
Dank je wel Margriet!
Thanks for following me and for your sweet compliments.
Love and blessings to you!
Ester