The final countdown of 2009 is here. What an intense year it’s been–full of high-highs and low-lows. And yet somehow, we have not only endured but found moments to celebrate, believe in the impossible, keep loving when we felt empty, and wake with a sense of hope for the new day. The resilience of the human spirit is breath taking. The resilience of your spirit is amazing. And if nothing else, you are worth celebrating tonight!
To celebrate, I have artist exercises…I know, it’s a crazy Type A thing to offer today. 
These exercises are like rituals that help me bring closure to the year as I prepare for the next. They are exercises that feed my artist within. Some are random in nature. Some are thoughtful. Some are easy, and some…I consider super, heavy lifting. I thought I’d share a handful with you.
Take 15 minutes, or if you can 60 minutes, to yourself today or tomorrow. Pick one, two, or more exercises below .and let your artist child run free. There is something powerful about starting a New Year with the innocence and possibilities that children possess.
10 New Year’s Exercises for the Artists Within!
1. If you had to pick a color or colors, what colors would you use to describe 2009? What colors do you want to begin 2010 with?
2. Take a 15 minute photo walk. Look for something that catches your eye. Something that reflects, represents, symbolizes 2009. As you walk home, be on the lookout for an image that represents your hopes for 2010. Share the photos with someone you love and trust.
3. Grab a handful of magazines and cut out any image that makes you smile. Don’t over think this one, if you smile, rip it out. Then walk away from all your cut outs for a few hours. After time has passed, return to your cut outs and write down the consistencies you find. What are the common threads? What are these common threads saying about your heart’s desires? How can the recognition of these common threads help you build dreams for 2010?
4. One of my favorites from the Artist Way; write an encouraging letter to yourself. Write the letter from a place of Great Love for yourself. What do you need to hear as you step in to 2010? How do you need to be encouraged? You know your heart’s needs better than anyone. What words of life can you give to yourself in this letter? When your done writing, mail the letter to yourself. What a wonderful gift to start the New Year with!
5. What was your favorite recipe in 2009, and why? What is the recipe you were scared to try? Any thoughts on why?
6. Dreaming Big: If you could wave a magic wand, what three dreams would come true? Dream BIG for this exercise. Don’t do necessity dreaming—like paying the bills. But really push yourself to dream beyond your most urgent needs.
7. For those of you who are feeling overwhelmed, find a way to go and see a movie by yourself. (This is one of the toughest things for me to do, but when I’ve done it—it has made all the difference.)
8. This one is from my wise business coaches, Karen and Fay: As you look back, what motivated you to change and to move toward your heart’s desires and your goals? Inner desires or intentions? Outward events or people? Necessities?
9. Your Heart’s Garden: With your journal, take inventory of your heart’s garden. What is blooming? What is dying? What needs to be pruned back? Are there any unexpected empty plots? What is thriving in the garden of your heart? Something you didn’t expect to survive the storm? What does it feel like to lock yourself in the bathroom, turn the fan on, close your eyes for 60 seconds and picture yourself in that garden? What sounds do you hear in your garden? What scents? Are you at rest in your own garden? If not, what are things you could do to find rest?
10. My favorite exercise with the family: Take some time to sit together. Each family member gets their own turn. Set the timer for 60 seconds and be still together, waiting on God, opening your heart to any word or picture of encouragement for that family member. When the 60 seconds is over, share your impressions one at a time, and have someone write them down. Maybe even start a Family Prayer Journal for 2010. This is one of our most treasured books.
Happy New Year Friends! With great excitement, we picture you on our left and right as we enter 2010 together—supporting each other.
All our love,
Me Ra, Brian, Pascaline and Blaze
p.s. Over the next few days, feel free to share your exercise results on today’s blog post!
). It was hilarious!
