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More Questions
This is Part 2 of last week’s post where I shared my strategy for planning my year. Last week we discussed the two big questions I ask myself at the beginning of a year. This week I want to share a couple of other questions that I found helpful and fun to answer in the big book. If you enjoy this blog post, be sure to check out the companion Vlog where I expand on the topic.
Scripture of the Year
This doesn’t always happen, but when it does, I try to pay attention. If a scripture stands out to me during the time I’m considering my trajectory, it goes in the big book. This is different from every other item in that I DO try to keep it before me and remind myself of the message during the year. This year Psalm 105:1-5 caught my eye because I like lists.
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
3 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
4 Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
The New King James Version (Ps 105:1–5). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
There are ten actions mentioned here, and I don’t think I could do better in my life than to make a habit of those actions in 2023. I talk about these and what they mean to me in the Vlog, so check it out!
A Couple of Biggies
Two other questions that have a big impact for me are these:
- What is one change I could make to my lifestyle in [insert year] that would bring me more peace?
- What area of development would make the biggest impact in [insert year].
I actually listed several things as answers to what might bring me more peace, but in essence, they all boil down to building better habits in my business and household organization. My desk (at which I do not work, but it’s pretty and I love it) stays completely piled up with paperwork and random things that I need to file, deal with, throw out, or find a storage spot for. Seriously. Why can’t I just deal with it and keep the desk clean?
My finance records need more frequent maintenance. I tell myself that I hate doing them because I hate numbers (I kind of do!) but the reality is that if I don’t know as much of what is going on with them, I make decisions based on instant gratification which tend to cause problems in the end.
The fact is, when I make a habit of keeping them up, I feel SO MUCH FREEDOM AND PEACE. And confidence!
Guess what my answer to the biggest impact question is? More financial record maintenance! I also think that I want to increase my service to my music students by creating some anchor charts to give them, and some listening sessions for lessons. I also have already completed one item on the list: updating my studio policy and getting media releases from the parents. This will encourage them as I am able now to share their successes on my social media.
Other Fun and Helpful Thoughts
If you need to think things out in more depth, or the questions I’ve used just really aren’t jiving with you, try these: I found them in random places on the internet and enjoyed answering them, too. Maybe they will start your engines!
What is something I’d like to learn in [insert year]?
What things should I stop doing in my life that are no longer serving me? (scrolling. Seriously, folks. I’m so bad about that!)
What is something I want to do the same in [insert year] that I did last year?
What behavior do I need now in my life which will be more useful for me? And here’s a companion question worded a bit differently: What gets in the way? What do I need to get rid of?
This Week in the Studio
I have been anticipating this weekend all week…or for several weeks. It’s a super busy one! I’m working at the gallery on Friday. On Friday night I participate in a wedding rehearsal for a former piano and voice student by playing the piano. Saturday morning I drive 1.5 hours to the Central Texas pastel society meeting venue because I am a member and I serve as the tech person: I set up and run all the cameras and mics for hybrid meetings. I will leave early and zoom back to be able to play for the actual wedding.
In the meantime my daughter Rosie, who is a flight attendant and never gets to come see me will be traveling to see me! She and her husband Kent will be there when I return home from the wedding.
I have created a mug for a family member and some heart shaped dishes and having a lot of fun doing that. In addition I’ve been exploring more abstract soft pastel paintings and continuing my studies in the two workshops I’m working on.
And teaching! I’m back in the swing with all my students and having so much fun! My students light up my life and I enjoy them so much. I created a fun reel on Instagram and my Facebook page by interviewing one of my students about his expectations when he first started lessons–it sounds boring but it isn’t.
Here’s the link to the Facebook page (hey, while you’re there, why not like that page so you can keep up with me there?), but you can see it on my YouTube channel, too as a short.
Whatever you do, you should always look for the music, listen for the colors, reach out for the magic, and awaken the wonder and worship in your heart.
Godspeed.
