Happy New Year’s, with some resolutions

Posted on Jan 1, 2009 in Drawings, Holidays | 9 comments

teashop_sketch.jpg

sketch from Gong Fu Teahouse

Last year I chose three words to define my new year. Now I can’t even find them on my blog (know I did a post about it) and can’t remember them either. Well, that worked well didn’t it?

This year decided to go back to some simple new years resolutions:

1. Not to interrupt people when they are talking. (bad habit of mine, I think, when I get excited about a conversation)
2. Send more thank you notes and letters (not the email kind, the real kind)
3. Draw daily. (even if it’s just a simple sketch)

I know the third will be hard. Maybe I could combine 2 and 3 sometimes for more efficiency. Also I had the idea to set up a repeating event on my iCal program to email myself these resolutions once a week. Otherwise I will forget them by February.

May add some more later, but I think resolutions are different than goals. Resolutions seem to me to be more about creating and reinforcing habits, whereas goal-setting seems like a whole different process. I may not be able to keep them everyday, but hoping to do it enough that they become a habit.

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9 Comments

  1. Gerrie | January 1, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    I think you are right. Resolutions are more about personal habits that you want to change whereas goals are things you want to accomplish in your life. I hope you show us more drawings. I really enjoy them.

    Reply
  2. PaMdora | January 1, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    Hi Gerrie,
    I hope others like them as well. If I’m going to start drawing daily, I’ll have to post some to keep me motivated, it always helps me to get feedback. Also I’m thinking about making a slight change in the focus of my blog, so we’ll see how that goes. Thanks for the encouragement.

    Reply
  3. Judy | January 1, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    I agree with you both re resolutions and goals. I am always impressed when I receive a hand written thank you note. Why is it that it is so much easier to email a thanks? In several senses, however, the emailing really isn’t so bad: saves on paper, a precious resource; and saves on postage. Hmmmm, now I have created a dilemna for myself!!
    I would have thought that you drew everyday. I love the teahouse sketch.
    I interrupt because I’m always afraid that I will forget what I have to say if I don’t blurt it out right then! You are too young for that nonsense!

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  4. PaMdora | January 1, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    Hi Judy,

    I agree that emailing is good and saves paper, but in the case of thank you notes, I look at the pile of unwanted catalogs that pours through my mail slot everyday, and think that whatever paper I use is so small a footprint compared to that. Anyway, I think it is important to send a few tangible things, esp. when I look back through special notes and things that I and members of my family have saved over the years.

    Thanks for the comments!

    Reply
  5. kim ritter | January 1, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    Those should be mine this year too #1 will be hardest and #3 well I almost draw every day now. Maybe I should do a drawing of me with my mouth shut So maybe I should replace #3??

    First resolution I ever kept
    I do set goals and those are like road maps of where I want to be in the future. Goals don’t seem to take a fundamental change in attitude, just making the best of the resources and gifts you have. Resolutions take a little grit

    Last year my husband and I resolved to know somebody at the art car ny eve party this year…we knew a lot of the creative people there last night and that has enriched our lives. I suppose that seems like goal setting but it really required an attitude change, a willingness to take a few chances.
    kim

    Reply
  6. PaMdora | January 2, 2009 at 6:05 am

    haha Kim, I love the idea of drawing you with your mouth shut. Reminds me of a story that a painter friend of mine who says you should paint or draw what you want to happen (rather than make lists) and it will.

    I also like the term Road Maps. That’s a really good way to put it!

    Reply
  7. natalya | January 3, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    i am trying your #3 also, so far so good… let’s see how long i can keep it up. I am looking forward to your sketches, they are lovely!

    Reply
  8. Melly | January 3, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    I interrupt when excited too. I grew up that way and I can listen well that way too, but it is rude and I try to control the behavior. shucks. When I assess conversation in retrospect, I usually get bummed at myself when I interrupt.

    Reply
  9. PaMdora | January 4, 2009 at 10:14 pm

    Yeah, Melly, I know what you mean. I respect people who look thoughtful and listen to other people’s comments before saying something, then I wonder, why didn’t I do that!!??

    Thanks Natalya for the compliment on my sketch!

    Reply

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