And Let the Journey Begin....

I usually spend a lot of time in December with my journal,

writing about what I've learned the past year,

the mistakes I've made and what I want to do differently 

in the coming year,

recording things that have worked,

ideas  I've come across that I want to try.

Well, seeing yesterday was the big 50,

all week long I spent hours writing about

what I wanted this year to be.

Although I am a 'happy' person,

I wanted to really take time this year to find out what makes me happy,

what makes me unhappy,

and incorporate the good....and delete the bad as much as possible.

I came across this book on my quest!

The Happiness Project 

 

 

Oh my!!

What an incredible read!!

It has helped me to design my own little 'project'.

Ladies, if you don't read any other book this year,

make sure to read this one.

I think it will change your life.

And a biggie....

I want to 'do' more for others!

Again, 

I read another amazing book this year while at BandN

that struck a chord.

 

365 Thank Yous

The author was at a very low point in his life,

where truly it sounds like he had nothing at all to be thankful for.

He decided to write one thank you a day to someone for something....for 1 year~

somehow.

It changed his life.

So I've decided this year,

I am going to write a minimum of 52 Thank You's.

My 'Thank You' list comprises of people who have somehow

helped to shape the person I am today in a positive way.

And another thing,

is once a day,

do something nice for someone.

At least one thing.

And record it in a journal.

Sometimes us as women do DO a lot for others,

but don't give ourselves credit.

So this year for my own benefit

I'm going to write it all down,

and when I'm feeling despondent

go to my list!

I'll keep you posted on how this goes!

There is a book that came out around 17 years ago,

that was life changing for me.

Simple Abundance 

 

I'm sure a lot of you women read it.

If you are of the newer generation and haven't 

you must girls!

I reread it every couple of years.

A few years after this book came out I started writing my own book of essays

called

 "Mornings on the Porch"

I sat out on my porch in the early morning with my hot steaming cup of mocha,

bible, books, pens, papers and notebooks

and wrote a way.

I can't tell you the times I've heard,

"You should write a book!"

So I started!

One of my goals this year is TO FINISH!!

I've thought long and hard about posting about this here on my blog.

A lot of people don't know  I am a writer and that I've studied

the craft for over 15 years.

Now I'm taking myself to task!

I will post some of my essays throughout this coming year for all of your feedback.

You all have become like a family to me,

so this is where I'm going to lay my heart open wide.Screeeeeech....

Ooooouuuucccchhhhh!!!

I also am going to get my Book Proposal

off to American Quilter's Society.

I approached them 3 years ago about an idea I had.

They had never heard of it and were very interested.

The project always seems to get put on the back burner.

So this is the year for that too!

Another goal...

Make My Home A Haven!

I will post my thoughts and ideas on this in a separate blog post,

because there's too much to write about.

And I have a few other ideas,

to work on my 'Attitude'.

That will take awhile for me to work out and research.

A separate post alone coming about that one my friends!

Reading.......is a huge part of my life!

Huge!

Reading about others,

their lives,

their heartaches and troubles,

how they've risen above,

etc

has played a huge part of who I am today.

I have kept 'Reading Lists'

for years and years.

But this year I am going to get more dedicated to this list

and expand on it.

I'm keeping a 'Movie' list,

a "Book on Tape' list,

and an 'Author list'.

This last one....you know how you read a book and love it!

Yet how often do we go and search out other books by that same author?

I do sometimes,

but this year I am making a more concentrated effort.

More later on this....

And last but not least,

Every day....

I mean EVERY DAY....

I am going to spend some time in my sewing room!

Stitching on something of my own!

Not for work!

This might be the toughest one of all!

But if I tell you...

my blog readers....

that I will post pics.....

I will have to!

I might just show you a square being cut out...Ha!!

 

So this is going to be the journey.

If I come across some more

good ideas

I will post as I  incorporate them.

I'm also working on a format to share with you all

that will organize this project better.

Now this is where 'ya'll' come in!

I'm going to ask you guys to comment

about 'your journey'

as we go!

What has helped you,

the books that have inspired you,

the people.

Things you do to get yourself out of a bad mood etc!

I'm still working on a name for this project.

I've always loved that word "Project".

Ever since I started watching Project Runway.

It's probably why I picked up the book,

The Happiness Project 

this last year.

Any ideas on a title for me?????

Stay tuned.....

Let's grow together girls....

With a Heart Laid Wide Open....

Oh....and P.S. I'm going to really try to post several times a week!!

P.S.S.  This is the hardest post to "push" that Publish Button on yet!!