I have signed up for a very well-received online class on the idea of making one’s dreams come true that starts in just a week. The class is delivered in the form of reading, audio interviews, activities, or journal prompts that are posted each day on a password-protected website, and you can also participate in discussions in a community forum.
I have wanted to try something like this for a long time – the idea of being very reflective about not just WHAT I want to do with Sleeping Dogs Studio, but why – what other dreams I have and how to get there – has always been appealing to me. This particular class is taught by Andrea Scher and Jen Lemen, and is known as ”Mondo Beyondo” — the word they have coined for the ”powerful point of view that transforms our deepest dreams into practical realities.” The whole session is about “dreaming big” – sounds fun, doesn’t it?!?
I’d like to paraphrase the comments of one of the instructors, in her description about the class, as well as some terrific questions that she’s asked us to think about prior to the beginning of the session. (I hesitate to answer some of these publicly – it always seems a little like advertising your new year’s resolution to lose weight, then having a reader see you at the McD’s drive-through “stocking up”! ) But I’m going to be “brave” and write my answers in HOT PINK to celebrate starting off right – so please be kind!
Andrea says:
“The surest way to start fresh and move forward is to be at peace with what came before. You might have had an incredible year, a dull year, or a truly difficult year. Whatever happened, your aim is to celebrate what there is to celebrate about it; and grieve what there is to grieve…
My challenge for you is to answer the following questions, then declare 2009 complete. Rituals can be even more powerful when others can witness you. You are welcome to do this exercise prviately, but I suggest sharing with a friend and/or posting your lists.
1) What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2009? (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?)
2009 was a good year. I conquered many of my ongoing fears and doubts; I realized a long-term goal of having a larger outlet for art, in partnership with my dear husband; I saw my beloved son continue to grow into a well-spoken, polite young man, and become increasingly independent.
I faced economic difficulties with the business without giving up – in fact, with determination to face them head on, and try harder than ever to succeed. I’m proud that we didn’t throw in the towel, which would have been easy to do. I fought my challenges with authenticity and a genuine spirit.
I gave of myself and my money to things that matter to me – children’s causes, animal rescue, etc. And continued to dream that someday, the artist studio and the no-kill shelter can co-exist peacefully!
And I am proud that we earned an Indiana Artisan designation against very stiff competition…
2) What is there to grieve about 2009? (What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)
It was a scary year financially. We moved to a larger house with a studio; our son goes off to college in a year; in short, our expenses seemed to increase as our income sources went down.
I wasn’t as patient as I could have been…and I’m working on that, but am not quite ready to fully forgive myself for it yet. I had a short fuse on occasion…and know a calm spirit accomplishes so much more.
3) What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?
2010 is a new decade, a new start, and I feel invigorated by that. There is change in the air, and I see that as a positive, not a negative thing. 2009 is complete, and 2010 beckons.
The next step is to say out loud, “I declare 2009 complete!” How do you feel? If you don’t feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say…
The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2010? Is it the year of joy? the year of self-care? the year of partnership? Stand up and say it proud, “2010 is my year of…”
For me, 2010 is a tough year to capture in one word…so I’ll keep it as short as I can! For Sleeping Dogs Studio and all that represents (my partnership with my husband; my thank you to two lovely dogs that share our lives; the interaction with creative and exciting people, etc.), I hope that my 2010 will be: fun; nurturing; creative; and peaceful.
Whatever your dreams for 2010, I hope you also find your muse!
(More about the class can be found at: http://www.MondoBeyondo.org.)
