Courage gives way to Gratitude

Goals of 2016

Recently I pulled out my goal sheet for 2016

and re-read my plans, dreams and goals for the year.

There were a number of goals I stuck with

and things I accomplished I am proud of.

There were a number of things I didn't accomplish

 and I will refine them and make new plans,

better plans to accomplish the ones I still want to complete.

I also read my word for the year.

I've considered my 2016 word of the year many times.

Courage.

I am afraid of a lot of things,

so courage was a stretch for me.

I'm still afraid of many things,

dogs, being numero uno on the list.

I must confess,

I'm not afraid,

I'm terrified.

But I have had to summon up a lot of courage this year

as I have learned new things on the computer,

faced having no voice for five months,

had several skin cancers surgically removed,

having my husband be ill for all of the year.

It took courage for me to begin to paint figures.

It took courage to begin releasing single subject classes.
(More to come soon)
Click HERE to Learn More about my online classes.

It took courage to return to teaching
after not being able to talk for over five months.
Click HERE to learn more about hosting your own party.

2017 is right around the corner and I've been working on

 my word of the year. 

GRATITUDE!

I am grateful for so many things.
One of which is you!

I am grateful to everyone who reads my blog,
views my art,
paints with me in person or online,
and has offered me friendship in cyber space.

GR - ATTITUDE
requires having an attitude of gratitude.
How do you grow that gr-eat attitude?

It's a daily habit that requires some effort to achieve.

Becoming aware of all the great little things that happen in your life every single day,
and saying thank you.
Gratitude follows that.

Becoming aware of:
the light that changes just in time,
The fast food that got your order right,
Your child that puts their stuff away,
The check book balancing,
Evading that deer on the road,
Noticing the beauty in nature.
and the list goes on and on.

Once you've noticed the little miracles in your life,
then being thankful for them,
That is the attitude of gratitude. 

I look forward to becoming more and more grateful in 2017, just like I loved gaining more courage in 2016.

One last thing,
I'll need to keep that word in front of me
every single day to feel gratitude
and have it become a part of me.

Do you have a word for the year,
tell me about it in the comments if you do.

Here's to a wonderful 2017.