Saturday, July 7, 2012

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!
 
 
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.
 

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.
 
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!!


15 comments:

  1. Dear sweet Johna'Lee... first of all Happy birthday and welcome to the 50's girls club! I applaud your outlook and your plans for this year and I can't wait to watch you grow... I'm half way through my 50th year and loving it...I'm off to check out the books you recommended and I too fell in love with Simple Abundance 17 years ago...it helped me along on my path to gratitude and I still keep it on my nightstand to read before going to sleep some nights.. You are my sister indeed!!! I'm glad you pushed the publish button on this post... I feel inspired!!! Lots of love and many BLESSINGS TO YOU MY DEAR!
    Deb

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  2. Sounds like Life to me. It is good to take time to live the life God gave us....we only get one.

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  3. I'm in! And I'm so excited for you! I am an avid reader as well and just as in quilting, there are never enough hours in the day. Have you read a book titled, "One Thousand Gifts"? If not, don't buy it. I want to send it to you.

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  4. Beautiful, beautiful!! I'll not only be cheering you on, I'm inspired to follow your example!! :)

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  5. I am so glad you pushed the published button. Good for you!! Those are wonderful things to aspire for. My rule "kindness" I find kindness begets kindness.

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  6. Agree with Cindy - it definitely sounds like Life. Taking time to enjoy Life every day and making it your own. I'm looking forward to your posts.

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  7. Aahhhhhh! Simple Abundance. I need to get out my copy and read it again. Looking forward to your thoughts and essays and pictures. Happy Birthday!

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  8. Oh my, you have some ambitious goals. I have to set goals in smaller bites--but I do want to join you in the 52 thank-yous. Sounds like a great idea. I'll be interested to follow how things go for you. God bless!

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  9. John'a Lee, you may have entitled it yourself: "With a Heart Laid Wide Open"....I like that alot.

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  10. hahaha....you sure ht 50 head on! you have planned a lot there woman! i think you need 50 more years to get it all done. so that is my birthday wish to you! 50 more years. at least!

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  11. You go girl! You are an inspiration to me. I'm going to look for The Happiness Project. I like the Thank You idea too. Heading to Denver in the morning. Miss our chats at that show. Could use that now. Love you.

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  12. As always, you ARE an inspiration!!!! Can't wait see what you have in store. <3 miss ya

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  13. They are some terrific goals and wonderful things to work towards. I'll be cheering for you. Reach for the stars and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Best wishes for much success.

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  14. Happy belated birthday! I really enjoyed this post. I love the idea of not only writing at the end of the year/beginning of the new year but also assessing things around your birthday. I haven't read any of those books so thanks for the reccomendations!

    Jennifer :)

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  15. Oh Wow, wow, wow. If I am this excited about the prospect of all this, you must be over the moon!!!! It should have been obvious from your book reviews that you're a writer. I can't wait to hear about it all in your blog posts and get inspriation before my 50th next year. You must have chuckled to yourself reading my last comment. Little did I know what you were planning! I'm going to try and get my hands on a copy of The Happiness Project.
    Teresa x

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