DECEMBER 28 QUESTION #3
From Andrew Mellen / Topic: Organization
Question: When I look back over 2011 and think about how time, choices and objects have been organized, do I see harmony and ease? Did I seek out the natural place for things to land and rest? Where did I struggle to force things into literal or figurative containers? Do I recognize the order in the universe and see my life reflected in that order?
What can I do in 2012 to move through time and space more harmoniously, recognizing that everything I need is within easy reach? How best can I release those things that no longer serve me (on any plane) to find new homes more suited to their purpose? How might I increase joy in equal or greater measure to my worldly accumulation?
This interesting to me as Andrew poses it (read the full post). Andrew is recognizing that a large part of life and work organization, is dictated by our relationship to stuff, and how much of it we have. This means physical, emotional, and social stuff we gather. Usually in this culture we gather too much. This has been an issue on my mind for the past 2 years, and 2011 saw a fair amount of clearing, but not enough. My diagnosis has spurred me into high gear on this one as I recognize the need to make my home patient (and visitor) friendly.
This is Andrew’s idea of organization however, and I have something to add. Last year was my first year at truly working full time to build a business. I found out a few things about working for myself, and being organized.
First off I finally embraced the list! Not as a glaring reminder of how much I don’t get done, but as a kind if sometimes firm reminder of what I want to do. Whew, what a difference! I also embraced the giant wall calendar.
I make these from 19 × 25″ sheets of Canson Mi-Teintes paper, and colored Sharpies. The calendar squares are 3×3 inches to accommodate post it notes. I love this system because I can see my plans from my studio chair, and the post its make it easy to move things around when plans change. This is not the “greenest” way to keep a calendar, yet I do recycle, often reusing the paper myself before putting in the bin.
Still this is all the practical stuff. My biggest awareness around organizing myself was noticing my natural rhythms. I suppose I always knew this on some level, but working for myself allows me to really notice and honor my natural cycles of energy, both daily and seasonally. It felt like a revalation! Last March I wrote:
To everything there is a season, and that includes me. Why does it take so long to see what is so obvious in your own life? For at least 15 years I have known I struggle with SAD in winter and yet it just occurred to me that I could plan my life around my seasonal energy levels.
Yesterday as I plodded around the house organizing all my to do lists and going through the motions of work it occurred to me I’d not taken any pictures for days, so I went outside with my camera. It was cold but the sun was out and the sky blue. I looked up into the branches of my favorite silver maple and there they were, flowering buds! FLOWERING BUDS! Something in me woke up just a little and I knew once again all was well. As I type these words at 5:28 pm there is still light out side my office window. The clocks change next weekend and before I know it the days will be long and warm and I will be full of hope again.
Like the seasons I have less and more productive cycles in my year. My energy and passion are strongest in Spring and Fall. Summer is a time of steady but slower progress, and winter is time for restoration, for preparing for the next round of growth. Why not, as someone creating my life and work, let that be a way to schedule myself? Why not plan my work and my life around the seasons? Not so long ago in our history everyone did so. Why not now?
“What can I do in 2012 to move through time and space more harmoniously, recognizing that everything I need is within easy reach? How best can I release those things that no longer serve me (on any plane) to find new homes more suited to their purpose? How might I increase joy in equal or greater measure to my worldly accumulation?”
I will continue to rid my spaces of excess and truly utilize what I have while asking for what I need.
I will continue to honor may natural cycles and listen to my body as I go through changes.
Beyond that who knows? This cancer journey is likely to reveal many amazing new ways of being!
DECEMBER 29 QUESTION #4
From Jennifer Louden / Topic: Serving
Question: How did I serve in 2011? Whom did I serve? What aspects of my service brought me alive? What aspects drained me? If I could serve in any way possible in 2012, what would I create? Let your imagination run wild.
How will you serve in 2012? I can’t wait to hear!
Dear sweet Jennifer Louden. This one is easy!!!
Well next year is easy anyhow 
How did I serve in 2011? I suppose it was doing just this, writing my experience. My recent news has shown me just how many of you are out there reading. I am grateful beyond words for the support I’ve gotten so far, and I have to assume I have served in some capacity to have earned all this love.
I also served in my role as art vendor coordinator, and planning committee member for The Phoenixville Firebird Festival. I am extremely proud to be a part of this festival as it grows and becomes a unique example of how arts and community can serve one another.
So, in 2012 I will be as the Phoenix and rise. I am going about this somewhat backwards, but it is what it is.
The past few weeks I have been Living in Limbo. I have been waiting to learn if and what kind of cancer I have. Yesterday I had an excisional biopsy that determined I have breast cancer. We know it has metastasized to my spine. I will get the full pathology tomorrow or Monday telling me what kind and stage etc. All new territory for me.
The good news is, strange as it may sound, I consider this a challenge and opportunity to serve. I will be documenting in detail my experience as a cancer (and broken spine) patient AND my experience of being an artist through it. Art is a healing tool and I plan to use it, for myself, and others!
[...] as well. Be prepared for boobs Seriously. I plan to document this trip in detail. I even started a new blog just to tell the story. I see this as a challenge, and have discovered I can make some beautiful [...]
Your attitude is seriously blowing me away. I’m here for you if you need ANYTHING, please don’t hesitate to ask. This all sounds really terrifying to me, and yet you don’t *sound* scared. You’re allowed to be, you know that right?
There are lots of us out here (and not so very far away) pulling for you and supporting you.
Much love. xo
Sarah I am truly grateful for the offers of support and help, and I will call on you when I need to! So far, I am truly not scared. I know this is treatable, and I believe I can get through. I have no doubt it will get a lot scarier before I’m done, but for now…
What was terrifying was the pain in my back before we discovered why. Now that I’m medicated I can tolerate it, and I know we’ll fix that too!
Thanks and Love!
I agree with Sarah – it is OK for you to be scared and unsure. I think you know that! (Grumpy is totally fine, too.
But you also seem to be filled with some kind of spirit of fire. It’s pretty darn amazing.
I think your insight into your own seasonal cycles is very useful and wise.
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Hi Gwyn. Yes, Thank you for documenting this extremely personal experience and for carrying all of us along through what you do best: reveal the beauty, wherever it lives. Thank you for not being shy about sharing what seems to me the most private of spaces, the most intimate of subjects. Your boldness should come in a spray. I would spritz it on liberally each morning. Getting to know you over this past year (just a little) I suppose I wouldn’t expect some other less open approach, still, it is as humbling as it is inspiring. Out here, Listening
Of course you are in the space you are! Calendar Girls should resurrect for this grand journey!!!! Remember when others did not join us because they were afraid they would have to take off their clothes? Well, a calendar for all comers to support Gwyn in her journey.