A word about 2019

A word about 2019

by | Jan 2, 2019 | Amanda, Creativity

Hello Creative QB’s,

On this last day of 2018, it’s in my nature to ponder the year that was. In the history of my many years, it was a good one. Sometime back in December I started thinking about 2019 with intention. Not like a resolution or something to achieve, but more like a way of being, like a sub category of meaning or purpose to my creative life. One word kept surfacing very strongly – ‘acceptance’, so I listened.

2 minute read

It’s high summer and the last day of 2018 as I write this blog post. Sitting under the ornamental grape vine that drapes over a trellis in our garden, it’s seasonal growth is lush and green casting dappled cool shade in the early morning quiet. There is a mix-match of beach towels thrown on the hill’s hoist from dips in the ocean and the morning birds have the main chorus before the cicadas start their daily drum.

I love this time of year, between Christmas and New Year. It’s when hot days melt into one another, forgetting what day of the week it is and the usual time and toil of daily life gives in to lazy heat and afternoon snoozes between the pages of a good holiday read.

On this last day of 2018, it’s in my nature to ponder the year that was. In the history of my many years, it was a good one. There where certainly big and little bumps along the way but I was more present to the endings and beginnings, learning and stretching, letting go and inviting in.

Sometime back in December I started thinking about 2019 with intention. Not like a resolution or something to achieve, but more like a way of being, like a sub category of meaning or purpose to my creative life. I began asking myself, “What could 2019 look like” and “What is one word to describe the possibility of 2019”?. I’ve asked myself this little question for a couple of years because I gave up on New Years Resolutions, favouring a theme or word that evoked possibility for the year ahead. You can read last years here>

I’ve also been mediating daily throughout the year to help me centre my creative ‘doings’ and it was during my mediations one word kept surfacing very strongly – ‘acceptance’, so I listened.

Copyright 2019 Amanda O'Bryan | Creative Queen Bees

Acceptance illustration by Amanda. Copyright 2019

 

With the word ‘acceptance’ splashing around in the backroom of my mind for most of December, ironically it’s taken a few weeks to accept ‘acceptance’. Initially I attempted to reject the word. It felt like there was resignation in the meaning, a kind of giving up or letting go of important things, like the word had no agency for change, it felt like a loss of power. But of course it is only a word and I can give it whatever power or meaning I choose.

The oxford dictionary definition of acceptance is one I really like. Especially for those amongst us who are giver’s. It goes like this…

The action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered.

and;

The process or fact of being received as adequate, valid or suitable.

 

In accepting acceptance as my word for 2019, I started a list of all the things acceptance means to me:

 

Accepting love

Accepting generosity of myself and others

Accepting abundance

Accepting joy

Accepting peace

Accepting gratitude

Accepting the creative work

Accepting creative gifts

Accepting ideas from different places

Accepting chaos

Accepting lessons

Accepting the acceptance

Accepting choice

Accepting myself

Accepting who I am

It’s important for me to also consider that accepting the happy and good times is just the same accepting the challenging times as learning and growth, even if it’s often painful.

Finally, there is no planning in acceptance, only intention.  How it shows up throughout 2019 is anyone’s guess. Being present and accepting to how life unfolds is the key to unlocking the gifts it may bring. My intention is of acceptance, it is a place to stand with meaning and purpose and a wonderful reminder to gratefully accept myself as love.

We are now two days into 2019, it’s a new year with the old me, I’m Ok with that.

A happy, healthy, creative New Year to you!

Amanda ❤️

PS…Update: If you are a fan of the Mamamia Out Loud Podcast, I just noticed a new Podcast dropped on my iPhone today all about choosing a word for 2019. I’m going to give it a listen for sure. Check it out here> or on your Podcast App.

TOP TAKEAWAY’s

1. Intention is not like a resolution or something to achieve, but more like a way of being, like a sub category of meaning or purpose to creative life.
2. Intentional words are whatever power or meaning you choose to give it. Acceptance choose me.
3. The Oxford Dictionary definition of acceptance: The process or fact of being received as adequate, valid or suitable.
Being present and accepting to how life unfolds is the key to unlocking the gifts it may bring. My intention is of acceptance, it is a place to stand with meaning and purpose and a wonderful reminder to gratefully accept myself as love.

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I am thrilled to be part of the Newcastle Artists Collective co-curating a new group exhibition at the Owens Collective 10 – 19 November.
‘Realm’ – represents the inner and outer lives of the 15 participating artists, their imaginations, the landscapes within which they create and the space of uncertainty, ambiguity and unknown that they inhabit.

read more
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I am thrilled to be part of the Newcastle Artists Collective co-curating a new group exhibition at the Owens Collective 10 – 19 November.
‘Realm’ – represents the inner and outer lives of the 15 participating artists, their imaginations, the landscapes within which they create and the space of uncertainty, ambiguity and unknown that they inhabit.

read more
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I am thrilled to be part of the Newcastle Artists Collective co-curating a new group exhibition at the Owens Collective 10 – 19 November.
‘Realm’ – represents the inner and outer lives of the 15 participating artists, their imaginations, the landscapes within which they create and the space of uncertainty, ambiguity and unknown that they inhabit.

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I’m Amanda, eldest of our trio of sisters, founder and Creative Director of Creative Queen Bees. I’m a multidisciplinary creative, which basically means I help people and business leverage the power of creativity for branding, design and innovation. With 20+ years in the creative industries, I’ve done all kinds of creative jobs, from artist to creative entrepreneur, with plenty of life experience in-between. My approach to life and business is simple; design a happy, healthy, creative life you love.
I’m Belle, (affectionately known as Binny) I’m the second sister of our trio. After 22 previous years in aviation and tourism, I’ve decided it’s time to start living an authentic creative life. A life which I had always dreamed, and am now pursuing here with my sisters in Creative Queen Bees. I live on a rural property in the Hunter Valley and most days you can find me illustrating my Australian life, complete with ‘blue cows’, ‘mustard goats’ and ‘green wallabies’.
I’m Cate, the ‘can do’ girl and youngest in our creative trio. I wear the handy lady pants and there is not much I won’t try my hand at. Over the years I have learnt to balance thinking logically and creatively and recognise this as a strength in myself. I chose a career in primary school teaching where I can bring this strength to life. I love play and a lot of the time you will find me tinkering amongst my many projects where I wield a pretty wild hammer.
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