Here are some of the collaged pages that went into my 2017 Intention Journal and the words that inspired each page. The journal was made with a simple pamphlet stitch and old scrapbook paper folded in half.
January – LISTEN: This isn’t the first time ‘Listen’ has found its way into my journals, nor will it be the last. It’s a life-long lesson – to pay attention to the still small voice within; to inner wisdom and allowing my body/intuition to guide me; to listen to the wind as it moves through the trees, or to silence – it too speaks.
February – LOVE: Loving others, loving myself, loving life…and loving that which isn’t always lovable. My morning prayer includes gratitude and asking that all my thoughts, words, and actions be rooted in love. “You see that sun rising? Sing songs to it, make your prayers to it, be present, and give thanks.”
March – LIGHT: I was missing my son a lot and wishing I could fly back east to see him, but it was a busy month and just not possible. Noticing the big Alberta sky and how the light shifts over the land as I’d travel the highway, and knowing that the same sun rises and sets for both of us.
April – ACCEPTANCE: This too comes up often, and is about accepting who and where I am in my life. It goes hand-in-hand with ‘expectations’, and becomes a reminder to be gentle with myself – I am exactly where I need to be.
May – BELIEVE: “When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” ~ John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
June – WONDER: There was a flurry of activity in June, cleaning up the yard, tending flower beds, and getting our little waterfall moving again. Mornings began outside with my coffee and journal, delighting in birdsong and the new day dawning. “When our eyes are graced with wonder, the world reveals its wonders to us” ~ John O’Donahue
July – JOY: Earlier in the year I was introduced to making beaded bracelets using a Peyote stitch technique. It didn’t take long before I was addicted – and spent many an afternoon sitting outside under the pergola in joyful bliss, completely immersed in the process of creating, row by beaded row.
August – HAPPINESS: Fun summer days playing with my grandbabies in the backyard, or watching them splash in the kiddie pool. So much happiness – life is good. “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.” ~ Unknown
September – FORGIVENESS: I stopped counting how many times I put my hand inside my heARTstone bag and pulled out the ‘forgiveness’ stone. It was time to explore areas where forgiveness was needed, towards others and myself.
October – TRUST: The month started out full of promise and possibility, but shifted mid-way – feelings of disappointment and anger arose and old betrayal issues were triggered. Worked hard to let it go and trusted there was a reason, even if unclear to me now. “Still ’round the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate.” J.R. Tolkien
November – ENOUGH: Early in the month, I started to slide down a slippery slope of ‘want’ and ‘scarcity’, but quickly reigned myself in. Exploring spaces to hold creative art workshops resulted in an offering that was there all the time, and just required seeing with new eyes.
December – REST: Once again reminded how much I need to honour this fallow season; allowing myself to rest, review the past year, and “feed in secret what needs to thrive.”
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Love this quote by author Neil Gaimon – couldn’t have said it better. And as the sun goes down, my wish is that you experience much love and wonder in the coming year. May it be so.
