Here's to a Peaceful NEW YEAR For All

As I said my  2017 new year's resolution was to 'go with the flow'. I have been pondering what it means to 'go with the flow' after reading a slogan on the first page of my new favourite book 'A little book of Craftivism'. The slogan read  'only dead fish go with the flow'! 

​Sarah Corbett, the author of the book 'A Little book of Craftivism', put her craft and activism together and became a craftivist. Betsy Greer coined the term 'craftivism' (activism through craft) in 2003 and defined it as "a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger and compassion deeper". Sarah says 'Craft connects your heart, head and hands, and when you relate that to justice issues (and according to me, issues that promote POM), it can be world-changing personally and politically.' More about the book and POM craftivism next week.
So, now to the new year's resolutions and the 'only dead fish going with the flow!' For me going with the flow does not include the passivity of a dead fish! Going with the flow is both, an acceptance of 'it's like this now' and activity (what is my best response?). Going with the flow is like the fun of a relaxing swim with the tide of life's  ups and downs. And neither the flowing of a dead fish nor the resistance of going against the flow. So, on that note I am going to continue do my best to put 'going with the flow' into practice in 2018!
And my other new year's resolutions for 2018 are: 

• To be grateful 
• To be kind to all, including myself! To carry on my festive season resolution  to do my best to be that kind, encouraging friend to myself (and others too). I am going to watch that critical voice that is ready to have a go when I forget to live up to my ideals and make mistakes and instead be encouraging and kind and hop back on the 'practice horse' ready to do a 'better best' next time. 
• To simplify - declutter my home and life (more about this next blog)
• I am going to allow myself a more balanced activity/rest mix.
• I am also going to try to remember to celebrate all the small ways I am being a positive force in the world. Including rejoicing in remembering that I forgot!

Some slogans that may help include..

• Peace Begins with Me.
• 'Patience has nothing to do with suppression. In fact it has everything to do with a gentle, honest relationship with yourself' Pema Chodron 
• 'Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in mind' David Allen 
• Choose doing your best to benefit others over stress about yourself!
• It is not joy that makes us grateful, it is gratitude that makes us joyful.
• 365 new days, 365 new chances

And many more to come in 2018!! 
I am also reminded not to be too hard on myself if I muck up on doing my best to put these into practice. Every day can be 'New Years' and a fresh start! It is never useful to feel guilt! Rather than let guilt run the show we can do the 4 powers on times we make mistakes or do misdeeds. A little review from our 'The Difference between Guilt and Regret' blog is...
1.  Admit I have done it 

• Rather than indulge in guilt and negative self talk and diminish my self confidence 
• Rather than pretend I have not done it or to blame someone else
• Understand we have all made mistakes, we are all in the same boat. This helps us have compassion for others' mistakes too
• Understand that what goes around comes around
• Understand that this habit is not helping us be the person we want to be and disturbing our peace of mind and happiness 

2. Regret I have done it

• Once we have admitted doing the misdeed we can have healthy regret for having caused harm to ourselves or others. Regret leads onto steps 3, 4 and 5

3.  Make a plan to stop the harmful habit 
4.  Do something to make up for what you regret 

• It can be fun and good for our own peace of mind to think of something kind you can do for the other person and do it, apologise to them or do something kind for someone else to make up for your misdeed
• This simple act helps clear our conscience and brings us peace of mind 

5.  Forgive and be happy

• We all make mistakes and it is important that we are able to forgive ourselves and others and move on happily :)

So on that note I wish you all a peaceful, restful, fun, festive season and New Year. And thank you all for blessing my life in so many ways. 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Kind Regards and Best Wishes, 
Maree xx