fear means go

Have you read Susan Jeffers' book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway? If not, I highly recommend it. It's a powerful way to live. The concept is quite simple, really, as you'll learn from the book. Although not connected, this recent post on the Harvard Business Review blog echoes Susan's message. Fear means go.

Believe, 

Di

what will I do?

Dr. Christi Hegstad, a wonderful coach & friend of mine, has been establishing annual themes for her life for many years. I decided to try it last year and for 2012 chose PHYSICAL. It represented both my physical being and my physical environment. Whenever faced with a decision, I tried (when I remembered) to ask myself which option would best align with my theme? It was a nice way to keep my choices true to what I wanted to focus on. The result? A lighter, healthier & more energetic me, a redecorated bathroom and a remodeled kitchen (nearly complete anyway). This theme stuff works!

When it came time to set a theme for 2013, I gave a lot of thought to what’s important to me – what I’m passionate about. Every time I thought about it, animals topped the list. I’d donated funds to animal causes all my adult life. It was time to actively participate in some way as well. Another passion bubbled towards the top too. As much as I enjoyed the remodeling project (hubby and I work well together on household projects), I sorely missed playing in my craft room and being creative. I can count on one hand the number of times I tinkered in my craft room last year – and I told myself it would receive higher priority this year. So, animals, volunteering and craft time all floated about in my head for days as I tossed around themes. Suddenly the other day a word popped up that, at first so simple, I nearly dismissed it. Further consideration, however, revealed it to be perfect. The universe seems to agree because ever since I selected it, I see this word and its message everywhere.

DO

I know, simple, right? I like the message of JUST DO IT, but don’t want to always be thinking about Nike, so that’s out. DOING IT is great because it’s active, but might be misinterpreted and I don’t want to get a bunch of blog hits/comments from folks thinking it’s suggestive in nature. Nope – DO was/is it. Plus, I’m a planner and can get so wrapped up in researching, planning and thinking through all possible options, that I’m tired of a project before I even start it, or have allowed fear to tell me how I won’t succeed so why start, etc.  DO is what I need to DO. When it hit me how it plays perfectly into my blog and business name, it sealed the deal. Sweet.

So, what am I going to do? You’ll see that over the course of the year. For now, if you’d like to learn more about annual themes, check out Christi’s blog. You can also visit the blog of the talented Debi Minter for inspiration.

I’ll leave you with this fitting TED Talk I discovered today from Young-ha Kim:

Believe,
Di 

286 day cessation is over!

Greetings & Happy 2013! Yes, I’m late, but considering it’s been 286 days since my last post, I’m doing well to only be 39 days late saying Happy New Year – ha! Seriously, I’ve missed the online community and am touched and grateful to see only one follower left during my long absence. Thank you for sticking around, folks – this is going to be an awesome year!

After I post this, I intend to spend quite a bit of time blog hopping and catching up on your blogs. As for me, well since my last post in April, I’ve helped my hubby remodel our kitchen (totally gutted it then hubby built custom cabinets – will share before & after photos in the next couple months), lost 10 pounds, read several books (see list at right), made some new friends & reconnected with some old friends. Along the way a couple elderly family members departed and three new step-grandbabies arrived. Things are never dull. Well, I take that back, my craft skills have dulled from not being used. THAT will be rectified this year.

For now, I wanted to get my first 2013 post under my belt and since I haven’t crafted, I’m sharing a photo of one of the best and brightest parts of my life. This is Winston. He rescued me six years ago today and this is a photo of his first car ride home from the shelter. Enjoy that cute little face while I go off to visit your blogs ^smile^

Believe, 
Di