self portrait challenge – celebrate + mondo beyondo ritual

Jan 10, 2008 | Life in Progress

(today, after a mini-celebration…details to come!)

i had the pleasure of meeting andrea a few months ago and spending some time to get to know her a bit. she is a soul that speaks to me. i get her. i get what’s she’s saying. and i love that she is so completely well-rounded in her offerings to the world – in spirit, in creative flow, in writing, in celebration. with that said, i really want to jump in on the mondo beyondo ritual – part one + part two. i know i spoke a bit about 2007 in an earlier post, but i love this idea of celebrating and grieving what has come and gone, and then listing our wildest dreams for 08. so, here goes part one (i’ll post part two tomorrow). feel free to participate over at andrea’s blog, or on your own blog!

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

in 2007, i am most proud of learning to take leaps in directions i once thought were impossible for me. i made brave choices to go for wild creative dreams, like participating in a group gallery show, submitting article + art to national publications, applying to juried shows, and finally, the wildest leap and dream of all: submitting a book proposal, and then writing that book and producing a large amount of art for it, too (likely the hardest thing i’ve ever done).

i am proud of me + john. that we made it thru what was our most challenging year yet. with challenge comes opportunity for growth and understanding. i’m proud of us for always digging deeper. for supporting one another in true excitement and seemingly unending mini-celebrations.

i am proud of my creations. the paintings. the writings. the pushings and pullings of inspiration and feeling like each piece is better than the last. i am proud of starting my creative business, in true earnest, in 2007. it’s been my wildest joy.

through it all, the largest challenge for me was this: finding balance. and acknowledging that perhaps i played a significant role in creating the opportunities that came my way instead of explaining it away to 100% luck -that i wasn’t just some random girl in the right place at the right time, but that i actually played a part in my own joy and success. i’m not sure why this was a struggle. it just was. but i am proud that i faced this challenge with heart and with an open ear to listen and seek answers and finally learn the lesson of owning my joy. i am learning, now more than ever, that even if luck enters my life, i must be ready for it. and that’s what counts. i suppose in 2007, i was ready for it. and that makes me proud.

2. What is there to grieve about 2007? (What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

i forgive myself for letting any semblance of routine or balance or self-care go. i forgive myself for all the moments of complete overwhelm and lack of sleep and snippy moments with my husband. i also forgive myself for all the unanswered emails and phone calls and for letting a couple of my dearest friendships (including that of my dear husband) slip from time to time because i was ‘busy.’ i forgive myself the ungraceful adjustments and heartache of moving to a new city. i forgive myself all the hard lessons learned as i stumbled my way thru my first full year of a creative business. i also forgive myself all the amounts of soda-pop i have put into my body – i know my body deserves better!
3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?
Okay, the next step is to say out loud, “I declare 2007 complete!” How do you feel? If you don’t feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say…2007, you were, hands down, the most productive year i’ve ever had. you were also the most joyous year. the most crazy-unbalanced year. the most full year. thank you for all you gave and taught me. i will take it to 2008 and beyond. i declare you, dear 2007, complete! done! finished! over!

2008 is my year of self-care and balance!

Sending much love,

Show/Hide Comments (8 comments)
8 Comments
  1. Terry van der Est

    I know this isn’t what you are going for, but I love your cute little sweater!

    Reply
  2. pERiWinKle

    I love the way your write…and talk…and express yourself.
    I love your passion…
    Your energy…
    Your ‘aliveness’…
    I love your art!
    And I think…if I may say…I’m gonna love YOU!
    Congrats on all your accomplishments!
    I’m proud of you for taking the leap last year…and to just do it! xx

    Reply
  3. Marrianna

    Your work is fabulous. Just read your CPS article and have been reading your blog. I’ve been there before and enjoy your latest entries. I live in Arizona and would love it if you ever came to the Art Unraveled Retreat held annually in August. I’m going to recommend you as a teacher for 2009. The 2008 list of instructors is already set. Marrianna in Flagstaff AZ

    Reply
  4. Molly

    I love your images on your site–I look forward to exploring! Here’s to a peaceful 2008!

    Reply
  5. PixieDust

    So amazing what you’ve accomplished -YOU, not luck , YOUR dreams, YOUR determination, YOUR talent. And when luck peeked it’s head it was YOU that knew how to seize it with both hands.

    😀

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  6. Alexandra S

    I’m so proud of you! Simply amazing and inspirational and look forward to you coming home to PDX soooon!!! xo p.s. I just passed my license boards so book your appt asap!!!

    Reply
  7. kelly

    i did this too. i was really surprised by what came out. i need to do part ii next. i keep reminding myself what i put in the forgiveness area so that doesnt affect my day in a negative way.

    i love the picture of you….so darn cute!

    Reply
  8. Sherry

    I think this is a wonderful way to grow, to progress to reflect. And I so love your word “forgive”…especially towards yourself. We need to do that in order to grow and to reflect the changes that happen in our lives.

    I also love the self-portrait and can’t wait to hear about the “congratulations”!!

    Reply

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I’m Kelly Rae Roberts

Before I picked up my first paintbrush at the age of 30, I was a medical social worker. I followed my creative whispers, and today I’m an artist & Possibilitarian. I’m passionate about creating meaningful art and experiences that awaken and inspire our spirits.

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