Healing Art Challenge: Commit

The achievement of your goal is assumed the moment you commit yourself to it.

~ Mack R. Douglas



I am a firm believer that our thoughts are the primary factor in what we are able to accomplish.  There are people who begin a task knowing that it will come to fruition because they will do whatever is in their power , no matter what happens, to make it so.  And there are those who begin a task telling themselves they are not capable, that they might not succeed, that the best they can do is try (which usually means they will work towards their goal until the first roadblock manages its way into their path.)

For this challenge, please create pieces based on the idea of committing to a goal.  Paintings, photographs, videos, poems... any form of art is allowed! Please email your pieces to friendsinhealing@gmail.com by Thursday, January 13 at 12 pm CST time. Please note that entries that do not reflect the healing nature of the challenge or arrive late, might not be included.

If you are interested in purchasing the above piece for $65+shipping, please email friendsinhealing@gmail.com.  All proceeds go towards the work of the Friends in Healing community.

Healing Art Gallery: And the Award Goes to...

is

The challenge this week was to create your own personal "awards show" out of the memories from 2010.  Participants were asked to artistically interpret a list of the year's winners for the following categories:

Best Inspirational Person

Best Moment in Nature

Best Lesson Learned

Best Bellylaugh

Best Song /Movie/Book

Best Playful Moment

Best Self-Achievement

Best Outcome from a Difficult Experience

Best Meal

Best Moment of Kindness Witnessed

It's so easy to focus on the difficult, and negative moments from the year.  This was such a fun way to look at some of the great things!  I'm really excited to show you these pieces, excited to have a few new mediums thrown in the mix.  I hope you'll take the time to jot a kind comment to our participants this week!

The best parts of my 2010

View more presentations from magiccat28.

~Amanda

~zootalors



~HiddenChild

Just a reminder that we will have our online movie club discussion of  "The Music Within" on January 11 at 6pm CST in the Education Room of the Friends in Healing chatroom on this blog.  You can read more about January movie club here.  And we will havr our online book club discussion of  She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb on January 25 at 1 pm CST time in the Education Room.  You can read more about January book club here.

Kaizen Wednesday: Wait the Worth

Each month of the year we are taking a single life growth area, and encouraging readers to break it down into a simple, attainable goal for the week.  Using the Japanese concept of kaizen 改善, continued improvement, the hope is that trying out small steps will encourage bigger life change.  This month, our kaizen concept is financial stability.  For ideas on steps you can take each week this month please read last week's post here.

This is a ring I have wanted for years.  I abosolutely adore it.  I love nature, I love the artistry, and I love the symbolism of the four seasons.  And although I could think of a number of reasons why I really deserved this ring - I work hard, why I could have this ring - it's moderately priced, and why I should have this ring- the inspiration it could provide,  I did not buy it.  For some reason, I just felt like if I bought it, if I gave it to myself right away, it would get lost in all the other meaningless little things I spend money on.  I really wanted to wait the worth of it out.

Until now.  I was blessed to choose a Christmas gift from my husband, and something told me this is the time!  So now on my right index finger, I have this little ring, as a reminder in all I do...

There is a time for everything

and a season for every purpose under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

And right next to that ring, on my middle finger I have a butterfly.. to remind me that true growth and change comes in the right time, and is definitely worth the wait...



Sunday Sketch: You May Stack it Neatly

... it's still just baggage.

You can leave it unpacked.

Take it with you on new adventures.

But you won't have room for souvenirs.



January Kaizen: Financial Stability

Kaizen 改善:  Japanese term for continuous improvement and change for the better.


Okay, so here's the idea.  Break our goals for the year up into 12 different areas for life growth.  For each of those months, come up with one action per week.  Some actions will stick, other's won't.  But in the end, we will be continuously improving, and in a much better place that we started.

This month we are looking at finances.  What is one action you can do each week that is a step towards better financial stability.  Here are a few thoughts:

1.  Cut out the daily wallet drains.  Look at the following expenses.  Which one makes a big impact on your pocketbook.  Commit to not spending on it for just one week.

coffee

cigarettes

alcohol

bottled water

manicures

car washes

weekday lunches out

vending machine snacks

2.  Check out your local library.  Rather than spending money on books, music, and movies.. check them out!  You'd be suprised at the current releases you will find.  Also, most library systems now have ebooks!

3.  Cancel unused memberships.  Personally, I avoid any kind of recurring membership fee like the plague!  They just dont work for me!  If there is a way for me to get the same service without a membership, I'll do that any day.

4.  Pay your bills as they come.  If money isnt your issue, financial organization may be.  Avoid late fees by paying bills in a timely manner.

5.  Avoid temptation.  This is actually easier than it seems.  You're out shopping, you see something you'd like to purchase.  Rather than buying it in the moment,  test yourself.  If it is something you really really want or need, you'll be willing to come back another day for it.  If not, then you probably didnt need it to begin with.

6.  Substitute.  Rent a video rather than going to a movie.  Bring a bag of snacks rather than purchasing.  Have a game night with friends rather than going out.  Find a way to do what you want without shelling out the cash.

7.  Coupon, coupon, coupon!   Plan your cooking for the week based on what is on sale.  Buy generic.. most are just as good as the name brand.  Avoid buying the extra snacks (not good for you anyway)  And stick to that grocery list! Also, when cooking, look several versions of a recipe up on the internet.  Look for the primary ingredients, those that are common to all the versions.  The less extra ingredients you have to buy, the more you will save. 

8.  Downsize.  Your cable service.  Your cell phone service.  Your cleaning service.  I know you've gotten used to it.. so you feel like it's a necessity.  But take a hard look.  Is it really?  Give your own ability some credit.  You can live in a smaller way!

9.  Use up what you already have.  Food in the pantry or the fridge, art supplies, cosmetics, toiletries, cleaning supplies.  Before you go to buy something new... force yourself to use what you already have.  Train yourself to feel satisfaction in using something up.

10. Track your spending.   Every little penny, write it down.  See exactly what you are doing with your money. All those small amounts add up!

So those are 10 possible options.  None of them are that creative.. nor really that difficult.  Choose one for each week.  You can comment here, or meet up in the forums for support meeting your goal!  We also will have a general  "Goal Gear Up" session every Sunday night in the Education room of the Friends in Healing chatroom.  Help us witness your progress and uplift you!