[CHANGES] Get Specific

Mon Dec 2 10:03:04 CST 2002

Hello All,

When we are SPECIFIC about our goals, they are much more likely to happen. 
Not just "I want to be more healthy," but "I want to exercise at least 3 
times this week." You don't have to follow the course that you choose 
forever. You can make adjustments. I tell my drawing students that drawing 
is a matter of making marks, evaluating the marks and deciding which ones 
need adjustment. You can't wish a picture would be drawn. You have to start 
by making a mark. In changing toward healthier habits you need to decide on 
a course of action and make a solid commitment to it. If you end up not 
doing what you set out to do, then you can evaluate why and decide how to 
adjust. In my classes we are making these decisions and SPECIFIC adjustments 
each week.

Likewise we need to be SPECIFIC about our gratitude. If you notice the good 
things in your life on a regular basis, your attitude will improve. You'll 
start recognizing ways to have more and more good things in life. Your focus 
will be on the positive.

We can't shame ourselves into being healthier. We can't focus on the 
negative and expect positive. This week that marks the beginning of the 
abundance of the holiday season is a perfect time to welcome all good things 
into your life. I invite you to start this season by making a Gratitude 
List. Challenge yourself and make it a list of at least 50 or 75. The number 
may sound high, but it forces you to be grateful for SPECIFIC things. Don't 
just be thankful for your friends -- name them. Name the traits that you 
love about them.

With gratitude for each of you, I share my latest personal list below.

Sandra's Gratitude List 12/1/02
1. Eyesight.
2. My garage. It may not be much. It needs paint. Window broken. Detached -- 
but I don't have to scrape my windows on cold winter mornings.
3. Angie Patton. My sister. How graced do you have to be to get a sister who 
is a best friend?
4. Kyle (my almost 21-year-old son) has not asked me for ANYTHING in more 
than a month. Does this mean he's finally taking responsibility for himself? 
I don't know. I'm just looking for something to be grateful for.
5. His potential. His intelligence. His quest. (I found a few more!)
6. Meadowbrook Park.
7. Carol Inskeep, my friend whom I walk with at Meadowbrook Park, while we 
solve the problems of the world -- or at least help dissolve our fears about 
them.
8. Edith Camp. She holds me up and helps me see my true self.
9. Email. It's a love/hate relationship, but I do get to stay connected with 
so many people.
10. Steadfast love of my mom and dad -- for each other and for us "kids."
11. The fact that my parents have stayed married for all these 42 years.
12. The fact that I love Kevin, my husband, more than ever.
13. Like-minded friends in AWARE (Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort)
14. WEFT 90.1FM. All-volunteer community radio. I am expecially fond of the 
folk music and public affairs programming.
15. Having my art studio in my home.
16. That I'm going to be having a two-person art show at U of I in 
Springfield next March.
17. An increase in income from my art this year.
18. The art students that I've taught this year, especially Linda Scott and 
Margie Nelson.
19. My ability to teach people to draw. (What a miracle it is to witness!)
20. HP printer. It never lets me down.
21. My homemade vegetable soup, and the fact that my mom taught me to cook.
22. TVP and vegan barbecue. It has become my new favorite hearty, healthy 
food this year. You can buy it at Natural Gourmet in the Shoppes of 
Knollwood strip mall on South Neil in Champaign.
23. Seldom Home Farm Stand. Closed now. But these gardeners grew the most 
amazing vegetables and sold them at very reasonable prices all summer (on 
Windsor Rd. in Urbana just west of Rt 130). Helped me alleviate my 
frustration at being not being a gardener and supplied me with fixings for 
salsa that will last all winter.
24. Pages for All Ages. I don't allow myself to buy fiction, so I recently 
cozied up to their warm fire every chance I got and read Alice Seabold's 
"Lovely Bones"  -- what a way to spend a spare half hour. Nurtured my soul.
25. Kevin's practice. My husband quit his 9-to-5 this year and went into 
private practice as a therapist. What a great change in his life and mine!
26. Holidays. I know they can be crazy. But what an opportunity to 
reevaluate our priorities.  I want to spend more time with family and 
friends.
27. Southern Indiana Writers Conference. I happened on this conference that 
led to a series of serendipitous things, including meeting a potential 
publisher with whom I got feedback on my "Teach Adults to Draw" book.
28. The receptionists that I work with at Weight Watchers. My job is so easy 
because of them.
29. The fact that I care so genuinely for the receptionists, and they for 
me, even though our politics and the way we view life are so different. This 
gives me hope for humanity to bridge our differences.
30. Joyce. Her chins-up attitude in the face of hardship is an inspiration 
to me.
31. The Illinois landscape. I love the subtle colors, the beautiful yellows, 
golds and browns against the blue sky.
32. The surprise of a stunning pink sunset.
32. My kitchen. It is so humble, yet so functional for me.
33. James, who sweeps my floors and cleans my tub every other Tuesday.
34. Erinn, whom I hired to help me with my framing and be my studio 
assistant.
35. Create Your Life. A workshop that I took with Jo Pauly that helped me 
evaluate some priorities in my life so I could justify hiring a cleaning 
person, a studio assistant and a computer guru. Contact Jo at 337-7823 or 
jopauly at prairienet.org to find out about upcoming workshops. She's a "Whole 
Life Coach."
36. That I don't have a cell phone.
37. Massages.
38. Coconut shampoo.
39. Coconut cream pie. (What can I say?)
40. Krannert Art Museum.
41. Sipping mocha decaf coffee with real cream from my favorite mug.
42. Jenny Southlynn. She helped me see my potential as a teacher. Gave me 
free studio teaching space when I was just getting started.
43. Urbana. I absolutely love this town. I love the fact that it is so 
"small town" that I can know so many people. That there is culture and 
education and caring all in abundance.
44. My washer.
45. My dryer. They make the list every time, lest I ever forget the misery 
of public laundromats.
46. The women in my Women's Body Group. I am so blessed by the wonderful 
insight that these women have. For being able to witness the healing that 
takes place when women are truly heard and understood on topics that are 
deep and complicated.
47. Non-stick skillets.
48. The Public i. (Free monthly newspaper of the UC Indy Media Center. You 
can pick it up at libraries, coffee shops and stores around town).
49. Living across from a park and having a bay window.
50. My bike.

I really could go on and on. I would love for you to try this exercise. 
Write with abandon, like no one will be reading. If you would, however, care 
to send me your lists, I'd love to save them and possibly include them in 
some upcoming newsletter (or book!). I'll publish them anonymously with your 
initials only.

Sandra

More email on upcoming art classes, changes in WW schedules and an Art Open 
House to follow later today!

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