Have you every thought to yourself: I love to paint (or carve, or knit, or write), so why don’t I do it more often? Sure, you can come up with all sorts of reasons why you can’t get to the studio, but don’t you see, the question instead should be: Why don’t I make it a priority to paint; why don’t I make it happen?

For most of us, we could make more time, we just don’t. Sometimes, it’s a matter of setting priorities and making sure that some time is set aside on a regular basis. It may be necessary to have a schedule to make sure that time will be available. I am reminded of the old proverb: He who fails to plan, plans to fail.

Sometimes it’s something else altogether. Sometimes, deep down, it’s fear. Fear of not being up to the task; fear of having to face that blank canvas, of having to face ourselves and trying to find the necessary skills, inspiration, discipline and persistence to get the job done.

Even more scary, there’s the fear of not finding those things in ourselves, and realizing that we are lacking somehow.

Remember my inspirational thoughts earlier this month? The first one was:     "It’s up to you to make it happen. You can! Just do it!"

Here’s another thought: "Being courageous is being afraid and doing it anyway."

So, if that applies to you, go ahead, be afraid, but don’t let it stop you. Do it anyway. Plan to do it, and do it.

Suzette

"You have to write badly in order to write well. Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good." (William Faulkner)

On this January 1st, the start of another new year, I thought I’d look at some inspirational ideas. Rather than making resolutions, or setting goals, I’d like to get inspired to live the best life I can, and to reach for that which will make my spirit soar. So here is some food for thought, and inspiration.

• It’s up to you to make it happen. You can! Just do it!

• Nothing is accomplished without effort and persistence.

• Start today, don’t wait till tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late.

• Success, happiness, it’s really all up to us. It’s inside of us, we have to look for it. We have to learn to reach for what we want, but we also have to learn to see and appreciate what is already in front of us.

• Attitude is everything.

• "A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances." (James Allen)

• "Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying... ’I will try again tomorrow’. " (Mary Anne Radmacher)

• "I hold to the doctrine that with ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable." (Thomas Buxton)

• "Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while one is working." (Henri Matisse)

• "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." (Annie Dillard)

• "To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act." (Anatole France)

• "To accomplish great things, we must act as well as dream". (Suzette Fram)

• "The only things that stand between a person and what they want in life are the will to try it, and the faith to believe it’s possible." (Rich Devos)

Have a very good 2009.

Suzette