Saturday, January 7, 2012

Word for 2012?

Here's my final finish for 2011! I spent my time off completing this Buttermilk Basin design that I started at the Primitives of the Midwest workshop in June. That's the last of my Christmas crafting even though the decorations are still up here!
Have you made New Year's resolutions or do you have a "word of the year"? I've thought about this a lot this week and the word I landed on for me for 2012 is "margin", as in managing my time to cut down on the busyness and leave time to pursue the things that are meaningful and rejuvenating. I have a natural tendency to busyness. I can easily fill my days with tasks and leave little room for down time to dream or pursue other interests. The things that fill my days might be good things or even very good things, but my goal is to reach a balance between the pull of work and things that refuel my tank and give me energy.
Last year we spent time in Amish country in Indiana. I admire many things about the Amish but the thing that really impressed me was that they may embrace modern technology, but they do it in a way that fits with their culture and values. Did you know that some Amish use cell phones? Some of the men own cell phones for business purposes, but they only turn them on in the morning and evening to get their messages and return calls; the rest of the day the phones are off. This allows them to focus on their work or whoever they're with instead of dealing with the usual interruptions that come with cell phone ownership. So they have the convenience of technology on their own terms--it doesn't control them.
Sometimes my life is so full of obligations that I'm controlled by my to-do list. You've heard the old saying "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"? Too much focus on being productive probably makes me boring and crabby!  So my goal for 2012 is to really look at how I spend my time and avoid the tendency to over schedule and give myself permission to relax. Thanks for bearing with me on this looong post. I'd love to hear what word you'd choose for yourself for 2012.

8 comments:

Prims By The Water said...

Simply love the penny rug tree. You did a great job on it...at least you finished your Christmas project...I put mine away for next year. LoL. Take care, Janice

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

I love Buttermilk Basins patterns.
Your finishes turned out wonderful!!!
I really don't do resolutions ~ instead I like to set goals. I always have a long list ~ but strive to accomplish a few of the important ones. So I guess my word would be accomplishment.
have a great weekend!
Prim Blessings
Robin

Trace4J said...

Just love the pennys!!
I need to find that pattern.
I think you already know my word.
((((((((((((JOY))))))))))))))
Hugs to you
Trace

www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com

Karen said...

I like the way the wool circles are placed into a tree shape. A wonderfully prim Christmas project.

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Pretty pennies & your EWM items love the hearts!!
Please do spend more time to relax~ I keep telling myself that also~ Seems I am doing a bit better the older I get~ but oh, it is hard seems so much to do all the time~ High Goals we put on ourselves, why do we do it???
hugs to you~
Teresa

moosecraft said...

You could be my long lost twin for all I know! lol! My dh tells me all the time that he dislikes when I do too much and get crabby. He even said I should take some "selfish time" out of each day to do something I enjoy. Happiness is so much prettier than a spotless house! lol! And, I also believe we should take a clue from the Amish. If people would put down their phones for a second... they might realize the real life they are missing out on... Awesome penny tree!

Buttercup said...

The penny tree is beautiful. I'd like it for a wall decoration all year. I did a word{s) for the year (Embrace) change. I want to be able not only to change, but to enjoy new things in my life.

TheCrankyCrow said...

Gorgeous finish Miss Roberta....Loved this one when you first gave us peeks at it. I don't do resolutions - too difficult to live up to; but I did settle on a word for the year - and it is much in tune with yours - mine is "balance." I truly hope to be able to "balance" and manage things better so I can find the time to do the things that keep me sane and balanced. Kind of a never-ending circle, but, at this age, I at least realize that I need those things for my own mental health and well-being. But I tend to do everything "full board" and I just need to find a way to make the work and play and all the other commitments work in harmony. Good luck to the both of us! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin