Word for the Year .:. A Peek Halfway Through

airy • buoyant • effervescent • elastic • expansive • hardy • irrepressible • pliable • quick to recover • rebounding • rolling with punches • rubbery • snapping back • springy • stretchy • strong • supple • tough

Back in January I chose the word Resilient as my word of the year. I talked about taking more chances, stretching and growing in my life and in my art, creating new connections and deepening existing ones, and I talked about letting go of my need for validation from others. So, I wondered this morning, how am I doing with this year's word?  And so the list:

1. I have submitted art to 5 group shows and am working on sending out packages to galleries who are looking for solo artists to show. I have felt strong about all the submissions, not over-confident, not cocky and "I've got it in the bag" but really good.  
2. Turned down design work that I just don't want to do anymore in order to make more time for painting. It is time, it needs to happen, and I did it, but I had to shush the voice that kept chattering in my head about "what if you never get paying work again". I will, and I can't listen to that voice anymore. It's a tired old voice that really has nothing important to say to me.
3. Talking to people about my art. This is a funny one, and I thought I was doing better with it, but it's probably 40-60. There is a shyness, a tenderness, a fearfulness that all coalesce around the worry that people won't like my work. And you know, I think to myself this morning, some won't. And I need to make peace with that one. (NOTE to SELF: Let Go of the Need for Validation from Others)
4. Advertising, showing in on-line galleries and sending out promo e-mails to blogs that review and show artists work. Started out slow with the promo stuff, but have gotten into a fun rhythm with it, and have gotten responses from just about everyone that I sent mail to, no firm dates to review, but it's a step forward. 

And moving away from the list, and on to what is happening "inside", the main feeling I keep coming back to when I think about my Word for 2009 is: Just Be Myself. 

The ability to be Resilient

to bounce back

to be and feel buoyant and effervescent

to rebound and recover from the tough moments

to balance supple and stretchy with tough and strong

to strive to embody the word expansive

all come from the desire and the ability and the "work" to be my self 

as truly and honestly and fully as I possibly can. 

So, when put that way, any fearfulness, any shyness about showing my art, talking about my art, writing about my art is just plain and simple bull shit. There. I said it. 

Resilience = Be Myself. Full stop. Now move along and Be True.

OK, so that's me half way through a Year of Resilience. 

Does anyone else do a Word of the Year and want to share their journey? 

Comments

[kathryn hansen]

hi liz (fellow fish!),

i've never done a word for the year..but it's a great idea! i really like how you've broken it down and said what it means to you.

kathryn

ps..i really like your work

[Swirly]

I usually do pick a word...I'm not sure I did this year! But looking at how things have gone so far this year, I would pick the word FLOW, as in, trying to stay in the flow of my life, observing all the strange thoughts that sometimes arise from certain circumstances in my life, trusting that all is unfolding as it should. I am trying to trust the flow, instead of expending energy trying to force things one way or another.

[kelly]

oh this is a good one.
hit on so many important issues.
i don't know if i have a word.
i would have to change every two
months. at the moment i would have
a couple...
hurdles
and
happy

girlie....you make me smile ear to ear.
it is just that simple.

[jodi]

last year my word of the year was YES. the motto behind it was "just do it" I think I forgot this year that I like it so much. Now you've got me thinking. Thanks for that! New post to come...

[aimee]

you amaze me! you have such a wonderful capacity to think and write honestly about what you want to achieve and how far along you are in the process. being reflective and looking forward at the same time are not easy tasks. you are inspiring!

i think if i had to pick a word of the year it would either be DO or GO...

[Jane]

What a great idea. you are truly inspiring. i know i have the same voice in my head... kudos to you!

[laura]

wow, you really are inspiring and i love the word of the year. never done it but i might start right now with a half year. small steps are good. keep up the great work and know that you are helping other fellow artists/creative minds out here find some direction. thanks!