For the first time, I am leading an online prompt group for our local calligraphy guild, and our first prompt was to create an initial or monogram. I did not want to create a traditional monogram, so I used fun colors and modern letters utilizing my own name. The center of the B was actually a mistake. After saying a few choice words, I figured out how to turn it into flower petals and I think it works. Not bad for a first prompt.
I am excited to be in a new group, with new people, most of which I have never met in person. I look forward to seeing their work and creating/sharing my own. There have already been some very creative pieces shared, with more to come. It feels like a. new adventure for a new year.
As I have done many prompts before, in other groups, I was a bit nervous sharing my work with new people. Sounds silly, yet it felt like starting an elementary school year in a new class not knowing how you will be accepted or treated. Hoping that people will be fun, kind, generous AND be willing to be as vulnerable as you are being. You take that deep gulp and show your work, waiting for the responses. In the case of this group, everyone has been very positive and it is obvious we all are taking it seriously enough to do our best.
Are we ever too old to stop feeling insecure? It can make doing new things tough, Yet, I’m thinking the unknown is a great way to approach a new year. So many options and choices, so many endless possibilities, if we choose to engage in them. Yes, there will be work, sweat, tears, aches and pains, most likely frustrations, and indeed a few disappointments. Isn’t that true for anything you do for the first time? What makes a new year any different?
So three cheers to trying something new! Hip, Hip, Hooray! Give yourself a pat on the back if you have already done something different this year than last year…and if nothing comes to mind, then maybe THIS is your kind pat on the back to get something new going. Take a long breath in, hold it, then let it out slowly. Don’t let fear, anxiety, those nagging thoughts in your head, or your past mistakes prevent you from moving forward in joy!
Go on and get out there, do something new and different even if it scares you. Who wants to live the rest of the year regretting that you never started that project because you were afraid? Nothing good ever happened by things always staying the same.
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