c h o o k o o l o o n k s

I mentioned last week that fall always seems like an unofficial "New Year," and that in anticipation, I completely redid my office studio.   And so, my second year as a creative person has officially begun.

When I was beginning my first year, I think the thing I was most struggling with was having lived the life that I thought I was supposed to live for so long, rather than living my true, authentic life.  This is the reason that I chose the word "true" as my word for the year, to remind myself that come what may, I needed to make decisions based on what was most honest and authentic, in order to act with integrity not only for the people with whom I worked, but also for myself.  My first step was to figure out what it is I love, but I've taken many steps since then, including most recently my new way of journaling:  as part of my daily morning pages, I make sure to have a to-do list worked in there every day, which includes a few daily goals as well.  The result has been my becoming very clear on what it is I want for myself, as well as becoming insanely productive (in fact, having entirely filled my first moleskine, I started my second this past weekend!).  I feel like I've been able to get a handle on "true" pretty well.

This year, I chose the word "beauty" for my year going forward, mostly because I'm working on a book called The Beauty of Different, and so it makes sense for me to focus on being able to find beauty as much as I possibly can over the next year, as I complete the project, this goal.  But it occurs to me that my goals for myself are bigger than just this book, and that perhaps it makes sense to identify and focus on these goals as well.  I'm a true believer in the power of manifestation -- of writing down my truest goals, making them tangible, in order to help them manifest -- and since today is 09-09-09, today seems as meaningful a day to do this as any.  Ideally, I'll come up with separate personal goals and professional goals, but for the purposes of this post, I thought I'd share just three of my goals with you  -- and stated in prophecy form, because frankly, I'm making these goals with full intention.

On this day, 09-09-09, I believe:

one year from today, I will have successfully published and launched my first book, The Beauty of Different, and have made great strides in completing my second book.

five years from today, I will have recently returned from a summer holiday at a small holiday home Marcus and I will own -- one that is very near the ocean.

ten years from today, I will be living a life that allows Marcus, Alex and I to spend (at least) every summer in our holiday home.

It feels risky to share this with you.  But these are definitely my goals as I see them right now.  They may change, but I really don't think they will.  Today, this day, it feels right to declare that these items are what I'm working hard toward accomplishing.

Feel like playing along?  If so, feel free to leave a goal in the comments -- it doesn't have to be a huge one, it can be a tiny one.  You can even leave more than one goal/comment, if you think of another and want to come back and add it.  But phrase it as a prophecy.  Phrase it with intention.  And in exchange for being brave and putting your stake in the ground right here about what one of your goals are, I'll pick one commenter at random to receive an 8x10 of your image of choice from the current selection of images in my online store.  I'll pick from only those comments that I receive prior to midnight tonight my time, but if you're so moved, feel free to continue leaving goals after that time -- the point is to make them tangible, to help make them manifest.

And for inspiration, check out:

• Maggie Mason's life list
• Kelly Rae's mondo beyondo list
• Mati Rose's mondo beyondo list
• Laura's digital vision board
• Gwen Bell's suggestions on how to write a personal manifesto

And if you're interested in taking a course to help manifest your wildest dreams, check out the Mondo Beyondo online course, hosted by the lovely Andrea Scher and Jen Lemen.  While the fall sessions are sold out, there will be a January class, so be sure to bookmark the site, and keep checking back for registration information.

Looking forward to reading what your goals for your one beautiful, amazing life will be.

Song: Dreamin' by Amos Lee

Photographed after a sudden rainstorm yesterday afternoon.  Nikon D300, 60mm macro lens.