This afternoon I watched Chase Jarvis interviewed Brené Brown on CreativeLive. The amount of wisdom packed into the hour of conversation between these two dynamos is immeasurable. There was a profound juxtaposition and balance between the creative expression of an introvert and extrovert in tandem. … Continue reading
I tend to gravitate towards the Chinese New Year as the marker of new beginnings more than the western holiday on Dec. 31st. It’s the Piscean water rat in me demanding satisfaction. And like any fresh start I question the state of my life, health, wealth and most importantly matters of the heart.
Today the year of the Wooden Horse begins and the Water Snake slithers out. Last year I pondered what the snake would mean to me. I had surmised that being a rat made me snake food. And 2013 certainly left me feeling consumed, digested and spit up. Even as a little girl it was the water moccasin that kept me from enjoying our pond. Oh, and the snapping turtles. I can only hope the Horse will be more generous.
The thing is, as difficult as 2013 was it also offered me an opportunity to change, to shed my skin and be reborn. In my case it was even literal-one kidney, cancer and all that-Which caused an existential crisis of sorts. After surgery the thought “What would my legacy be?” permeated my mind. What have I accomplished? What is really important to me? What do I still want to do before I die? –Which can be sooner than one expects- my big Aha in 2013.
It is said that 2014 will be a year of travel. As Feng Shui Master, Chen Shuaifu says, “Horses are legendary for their ability to run long distances on great journeys.” I predict I’ll travel this year. Perhaps I’ll even move to that window on the water and write. Chen warns that as a rat I need to be careful of being stepped on in 2014 and that it might be a bad year for investing. Like the year of the snake this year will be challenging for the rat. I will need to hone my patience and be careful not to exhaust myself. This is already my goal, healing my priority. That said I plan to push back a little, reject the scenario I can’t move forward. I am going to finish some of my projects and market them to the world.
Speaking of projects I still can’t share the final Toile design until the lawyers due diligence. But I got a sneak peek at the final box design and can’t wait to show you the culmination of all my hard work and brag about Bevee Bags. Trust me you’re going to want to buy one…….or two……….or three…….. okay one in every color. For now check them out on Twitter and follow along as they launch the line.
Commercial break over: Now let’s talk about the nature of a horse as it can point to what the year will bring and if you look at your own personality hint to the challenges and triumphs ahead. Horses love crowds, are exceedingly witty and have great communication skills. So networking will be a big part.
Earlier this week I was reading an interview in Forbes of Chase Jarvis. As always he is a wealth of inspiration. The nugget that stuck out the most (this time) was the importance of relationships when creating. Allowing for collaboration and giving your friends the opportunity to share what you do. Chase’s advice was Make Friends. “The world of achieving career success is a world where community is front and center. Your network – however you define it – is a huge, requisite key that will help unlock your future.” I am woefully bad at this. My friends don’t even know I blog. I suspect this will be one of my challenges and growth opportunities in the year ahead.
Horses are also active, energetic, straightforward, with a positive attitude towards life. This I can channel to propel myself forward. But after 2013 that shouldn’t be too hard. Suddenly I wonder what a Leo Fire Horse would be like…….Hally Berry, hmm, softer then I’d imagined. Finally horses are independent. This I have in spades so I’ll mark that up as one of strengths in the coming year.
Sadly the wooden horse is associated with warfare so fierce battle cannot be ruled out. But I just went to battle at the tail end of the year of the snake. Either way I’m strong and ready to be victorious in my endeavors going forward. But I know when to be careful and how to take time off, to replenish my personal energy and rejuvenate my soul. These will certainly come in handy under the Horse’s force.
I have always loved Kate Bush’s song. Color me surprised to find a fabulous cover.
This woman’s Work ~ Greg Laswell
We have come the the end of 2011 and are heading head first into 2012. For most, this is a time of reflection looking back over the year past and goal setting for the future year to come.
Years ago I stopped making New Year’s resolutions. Deciding instead to live my life everyday striving towards my goals. To assess where I am at in my life daily and determine whether or not I am heading where I want to go. If not then to adjust my sails. This became my daily routine not just once every year.
So to all you resolution setters whether daily or yearly I hope your goals come to fruition in 2012. And for all of us I hope for a New Year full of change. See you in 2012!
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