by Lisa Hughey
Everyone has their own method for ringing in the new year.
Some people make goals (that used to be me, but I evolved). Some make
resolutions (and then break them almost instantly). Some people eschew the very
idea of goaling or resolving. My latest trend is to find a word or motto that
will define the year.
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| One of my First Attempts at Collaging |
My writer friends and I usually spend a day collaging and
cut out pictures and words that represent what we want to accomplish for the
year. It's a pretty fascinating process. Sometimes the motto or idea is front
and center when looking for pictures that represent what I want to achieve, or
what I want to strive for during the year.
Other times, I just cut out any picture or object that
appeals to me, whether it be colors, symbols, or particular activities. And
then once I start pasting on my paper, a large 14" x 14" square of
colored paper, sometimes two squares, the theme for the year emerges.
Unbeknownst to my conscious mind, the message of what I want out of the year
becomes clear by the time I am finished.
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| Collage 2010 |
It isn't always made up of just pictures. Usually there are
other objects that end up on the collage as well, ribbon, keys, buttons,
plants, yarn. Along with the pictures, the objects, spell out exactly what
I want for the year.
The specifics of my wishes for the year can range from large
to small. They can be milestones like finish a book, finish a series, travel to
an exotic place that I've always wanted to visit, make conscious decisions
about money. Have more patience, more sex, more joy. It can be about less: eat
less, stress less, worry less. Or more: exercise more, meditate more, hike,
smile, laugh, love, create more. Appreciate: my husband, my kids, my health, nature.
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| Last Year's Collage |
At the end of the session, I have a physical, artistic
visual of what I want for the year. Then I hang it up in my office, usually
over the printer, so that it is in my field of vision on a regular basis to
remind me what I want.
We haven't had our collage morning yet, and I've been
struggling with my word or motto for 2014. But I'm sure that even if I don't have it
nailed down before I start, that I will by the end.
If you aren't a resolution/intention/goal person, try
collaging. It works. :)
2014 is the year of.... whatever you want.
