September is typically a time for a new term, new shoes, new pens and pencils, new starts and opportunities. Given my newfound freedom from various responsibilities my immediate reaction was to jump headlong into a new commitment and a couple of weeks ago I even filled in the enrolment form and discussed interview dates for a 3 year photography degree! But something in me held me back, the voice of reason, my essential voice, told me I didn't have to do that. I don't have to tie myself down because I worry that I might feel guilty or worthless because I'm not working or at least committing myself to a serious bout of academic obligation. I have nothing to prove. Repeat three times daily.
However.
I can't do nothing. I love learning. I accept and embrace the fact that life presents opportunities every day to learn something new, and even more, the opportunity to pass that learning on. To anyone who'll listen. So for the month of September I have, with a little nudge from Shimelle, Elise and Michelle, made myself a little journal in which I will record these daily epiphanies.
Sept 1. I have learnt to value the importance of being able to say 'Remember When?' and celebrate the joy of history between friends.
Sept 2. Regret is pointless. (I won't bore you with the story behind this. What I mean is, I won't humiliate myself by explaining the story behind this.)
Sept 3. It doesn't matter that I can't sing. I'm going to sing anyway.
Sept 4. A human lifespan is under a thousand months long. It makes sense to take some time to think how to use it.
Sept 5. Unfortunately, I am not sweet enough already. (After eating half a dozen homemade cookies, 3 of them before they were even cooked.)
Sept 6. I can live with the fact that I live with untidy people. Really.
Sept 7. It's pointless worrying about something before it even happens. (See below.)
Sept 8. You can't change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction. (See below.)
Moreover. I have booked myself on a few days training with the amazing photographer Nichole V at the end of September, and, even more astonishingly (as I have never, ever, got on a plane on my own before...) a trip to Inspired in North Carolina in May.... I am considering trying to do more teaching myself, online or in person (anyone want a workshop?!) as well as coming to terms with the possibility of taking photographs in exchange for money- that's a hard one for me! I want to do more, much more, with paint and photos and fabric, and I may even open an Etsy store. So I am pushing my boundaries, which is a slightly scary but exhilarating lesson in itself.
Let me know what you think!
Happy new term everyone.
i think this is a wonderful direction for you to move in...and it sounds like you have some good support behind you! good luck and i'll keep 'watching this space' to see each step forward and success!
anita
x
Posted by: anita | September 08, 2009 at 06:16 PM
oh my!! Nichole is a amazing - I'm so jealous (in the very best way)
love your lessons and 1,000 month is very inspiring in a way....
Posted by: charlane | September 08, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Love your journal, impressed with your goals, loving your blog. Go for it all! and thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes, PS is intimidating but I am gonna try!
Posted by: Marlynn | September 08, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Wow - I LOVE your pages. I'd definitely be interested in learning more about your style!
Posted by: Polly | September 08, 2009 at 07:38 PM
Dear Maz, thank you for sharing your work with us; it has been inspirational for me and I'm sure for many others as well. You mentioned doing more teaching and I wondered if you would consider venturing down to Somerset to do an art journal workshop?
Kind regards
Kate
Posted by: Kate | September 09, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Hi Kate! I sent you a message on Facebook:) x
Posted by: maz | September 09, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Fantastic! I love your journal and the ideas behind it. We never stop learning, do we?
Posted by: Carrie | September 10, 2009 at 02:33 PM
love your journal!! :) good luck on your etsy shop too!
Posted by: vee | September 10, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Lessons and a flight on your own - good on you! Can't wait to see how the trips goes for you. Have a ball :-)
Posted by: Cath | September 13, 2009 at 02:03 AM
i would relish a class with you online...i am thinking of an etsy shop as well but something holds me back..
Posted by: RedorGrayArt | September 13, 2009 at 03:49 AM
What a beautiful and thoughtful journal... I sympathise with a lot of what you wrote in your post. I have also made decisions this month and rejected things I really won't have time for, though tempted to sign up for!
Thank you for sharing such personal stuff... =)
Posted by: Rosie | September 15, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Beautiful journal! Yay for assigning yourself this project. Yay for stepping back and assessing your schedule. Yay for pushing boundaries. Thanks for sharing with our team.
Posted by: michelle ward | September 16, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Here's to pushing boundaries! The journal looks so fantastic!
Posted by: Julie Prichard | September 19, 2009 at 05:12 AM
that's a fun journal and good for you for making diligent entries. i'm really bad with journaling, maybe one other day. thanks for sharing.
Posted by: belinda | September 20, 2009 at 06:57 PM
I loved looking at all the beautiful pages of your journal. Your post was very interesting to read too.
Posted by: Darlene | September 25, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Wonderful post! I really enjoyed your lessons learned journal. I may have to borrow your idea.
Posted by: Regina | September 28, 2009 at 06:35 AM
lovely journal...
inspiring to-do & to-be thots...
bravo to moving on out of yr zone...
Posted by: Ailin Loh | October 27, 2009 at 11:34 AM