It is New Years Eve and time for resolutions. Some people don't like these New Year resolutions, because they never keep them. I do have trouble keeping them, but that does not keep me from making them. I think goals are important. Stating those goals is important. I can work to keep the resolutions/goals, but if I fail, I will just keep going - try again.
Diet and exercise are not so much a goal these days as they are more a way of life. I have dieted all my life, although you really can't tell :) Obviously, I fail most of the time. But I have had my successes in diets. It's what keeps me going. That and I do want to be healthier. I do have a specific goal this year, but I don't want to harp on this. I will just plod on.
Art goals: It seems as I get older, I don't want to teach so much. Maybe I feel like time is short for my own creativeness. I don't mind teaching some classes now and then, but I don't want that to be so time consuming as it has been in the past. Painting with others is often helpful and inspiring, but teaching often takes me away from my own art. So this year, I want to be more creative. I want to try some new things that demand I focus on my art. That sounds rather selfish, but time is shorter as we grow older. There are things I want to try and accomplish in art. Maybe I can put that into better words later. Commissions are similar. They are a nice way of making some money (for more art supplies :) They are flattering, in a way. And maybe they help promote your work, but they are time consuming. I usually find that when someone asks me to paint something specific for them, it is not great art, because it is not in my heart - if that makes sense. This year I want to focus on what I want, which is scattered enough without adding other people's wants.
We are getting ready to retire. When I say "we", I refer to Toby retiring and me switching gears to meet his needs. There are some necessary shifting of my thoughts and ways. Whereas I am selfish in art, I need to be less selfish to accommodate Toby in my life. This could cause some friction. Sparks could fly! Could be fun!
To create better memories for my grandkids is rather a new resolution. I think I do fairly well on creating memories for myself, but I need to think about the legacy I leave for my grands. By that I mean, how do I want them to remember me. When they think of me or talk of me, will they think of fun times, peace, love, joy? When I think of times with my dad, I have great memories along with a few not-so-great. But for his grandkids, they don't have as many great memories. Maybe they have a bit of fear and grumpy old man thoughts. It is odd that my dad could be such an amazing man, and yet, he failed somewhat with his grandkids. I want to do better.
So it seems that I want to be more selfish in some areas and less in others. Interesting - when you put it into writing.
5 comments:
I’ve never been good at setting goals or even writing lists. Hope you accomplish your goals. I’ll be rooting’ for you. :-)
I am surprised to hear you say that about your father. I never met him, but from everything I have read about him in your blog and old newspapers, he sounds like a wonderful man. Yes, do create those memories, and I hope you tell them about him.
I have not seen my newest grandbaby (only granddaughter) very much since March. I feel like she is growing up without me, and the boys are forgetting me.
Let's hope for a better 2021.
FF
Jo,
I thought I had answered your comment already. I'm already a day late and a dollar short. As for accomplishing goals, well, that would be nice. I just hope to do better on things.
FF,
My dad was a wonderful man. People thought the world of him and he did great things for others. But his grandkids were a little scared of him. He was a school teacher who could "get after" you when he thought necessary. He was probably better with my kids, since they were the first grandkids. And he helped with Tish's kids while she was traveling and singing and such. Adam named his baby boy after my dad. But he didn't take much interest in the other kids. He was fine with them and loved them, but they were just younger and he was older and then he got sick. I don't think they will have many memories of him. And it is the making memories that I want to work on.
I assumed being a great person automatically translated into being a great grandparent. Well, things can get in the way, such as distance, illness, pandemics, etc. All the more reason to make an extra effort such as you have committed to for the New Year. You have given me inspiration and some hope!
FF
FF,
I know that my dad loved his grandkids, but he was a disciplinarian type person. He was not the kind of man to "spoil the grandkids." I think he was also better with the girls. He had very high expectations for the boys - especially in sports. It's hard to explain. The kids loved him, but had a healthy fear of him too. I wish he had made more memories with them - memories of doing things together. Sometimes, though, I think parents get in the way of that, too.
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