2018: Some Intentions

Now that 2017 is a memory, I’m looking at setting some intentions for this year. I gave up resolutions quite awhile ago!

After all of the political turmoil, mass shootings, and the other ugly in the world, I’ve been thinking a lot about kindness and a kindness army.

This kindness army doesn’t involve any tests to pass, or uniforms to wear (except maybe a smile), or rules to follow. All you have to do to join this army is be kind.

CBS Sunday Morning on Christmas Eve had a wonderful segment on the power of kindness. Here’s the link. Just think if everyone would do one random act of kindness, even just one per week, how much better the world would be.

Little acts of kindness really count.  I remember when I was having an awful time at work and a friend surprised me with a piece of cake from a local bakery. That was such a small action, but it was so special. It really made my day. So whether it’s greeting someone with a smile, or baking up some cookies and taking them down to the local garage, I want to make a difference and introduce more kindness into my little piece of the world.

But as important kindness is to others, we also have to be kind to ourselves.

Another intention is to read more focusing on more non-white writers.  A month ago I finished Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue, a native of Limbe, Cameroon. Her novel is about a fictional family from her country who are looking to make a better life in the US. It was a wonderful read and I look forward to more books from her.

I’ve been reading  Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between The World And Me. It’s a difficult read for me so I’ve had to read it in small pieces.

Here are a few on my book stack waiting their turn. The Way of the Peaceful Warrior I read 15 years or so, and I thought now would be a good time to revisit it. We rented the movie and watched it last week on my birthday. I love Harlan Coben’s mysteries. They are just fun, and fast vacation and summer reads. When we go on vacation, I’ll take them with me, read them, and then leave them in the lodging for the next visitors to read or not. The bottom three I’m really looking forward to reading. I think I’ll start with the Book of Joy which is a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

As for my art, my word this year is Show Up. I’m not sure what that means right now, but it just seems to be the right word(s) for me.

Right after Christmas I dyed some bibs and a onesie for my hairdresser. I thought she might like little ice dyed pieces. I did have to tell her that they are not tie dyed!

And I continue to play with wool felt. I’m not really sure where this will end up, but I’m having fun stretching a bit.

I’ll be teaching a new online class, Easy Silk Dyeing, which is essentially my local class, but now anyone can take it online. It’s been so much fun teaching it locally, that I thought it would be nice to share it outside my neck of the woods. There will also be a teacher’s module for those who might want help and my tips setting up their own silk dyeing classes.  It should go live in early March. If you’d like me to email you a reminder when registration opens, email me at lheines@wowway.com.

I think these intentions can all be accomplished this year. If you’d like to share your intentions or what you are thinking about doing this year, please feel free to comment below. As always, thanks for dropping by.