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1/11/2019

Refresh Daily: Making Space for Quiet, Comfort and Curiosity

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Hello dear friends, subscribers, journal keepers, creatives, artists, small business owners! It's great to be with you again here in this New Year of 2019!! Happy New Year to you all! 

With this new year having begun and moving at a quick pace (always, right?), I have managed to determine a focal word, which I have done for 6 or 7 years now, most of the time it having a positive impact on my focus for the year. 

For this year of 2019, My Word is SPACE. I shared briefly about this word choice with my subscribers to The ART of JOY. Click the image to sign up if you're not already! (Then you'll also get The ART of Journaling Tool box, filled with 7 Power Tools for your journaling practice to help keep it relevant, revealing and renewing!) 

I wanted to go more in depth into what the word Space means for me and why I chose it. 
Space can connote making space for something--such as creative time in my studio, or time to write and sing with my tambourine, or watching a movie if I want to. 

Space can also suggest room for Quiet: the space where I sit in stillness, meditate and relax. To me, this is imperative. I began this practice more regularly last year in connection with my spiritual practice of prayer/meditation/singing/study and songwriting. This time is stillness has been profound, so SPACE is a huge initiator for that time of Quiet. In this fast paced world, Quiet seems so foreign, doesn't it? That's why we have to choose to make space for it. And when in meditation, that space can infiltrate into our thought process, leaving room for peace and JOY. 

Space can also suggest to me the area around me literally; whether in my office, my studio, or in my private space in my bedroom. It can mean honoring my preferences with what I see, hear and feel around me. Color, texture, books I love, and even my small clock that sits on my desk so I can see what time it is at a glance. 

When I think of my bedroom, the word Comfort comes to mind. Soft blankets, fluffy pillows, comfortable bed linens, and a place for all my essentials, such as my journal, my markers and pens, my lap desk, and my PJs. What feels good to me is important; I have found myself asking myself, what brings you comfort? And I really pay attention to that. My throw that I use in my bed looks like a leopard print and it feels as soft as a cat's fur! (I don't currently have a cat so it's a nice side effect.) So I really enJOY using it. 

Did you know that writing in my journal actually comforts me? Especially when I want to express angst, disappointment, or struggle that I'm dealing with currently. I feel better afterwards, because I feel heard, even though it's just me speaking in my personal journal; or it may just seem that way since, for me, it's also my sharing with my Higher Self as well, which is important to me. 

Perhaps you would derive more comfort through a journaling practice, if you don't already have one. 
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Just click on the image for The ART of Journaling Tool box to help you get started or to get a boost when you need it most! Those 7 Power Tools are my go-to to keep things fresh, fabulous and fun!

Choosing the word SPACE can also suggest making room for Curiosity--giving myself "permission" to follow something that interests me, whether watching a video, searching for a book title I'd like to check out, or looking at art that inspires me. There are so many ways I can honor Who I Am as an Artist, and making Space for my Curiosity is important to me. Especially when it comes to stuff others around me have no interest in. What really matters is that I have interest.

I love viewing other's journal page spreads and how they create their own planners, or sketch with pen and fill with watercolor. What inspires me as an Artist, Designer and Creative is important enough to me in which to Make Space.

So whether, I'm looking for Quiet, Comfort or want to follow my Curiosity, Making Space, being Mindful of my Choices with how and where I spend my time and its impact on my well being, is a way to give me clarity about Who I am and my Purpose which is a peaceful and JOYFul place to be.

And when I experience the positive effects of these essences of Space, I can then share them with YOU, dear friend!

Journaling Prompt:
Have you chosen your word for the year? If so, why did you choose it and what do you hope this word focus will help you accomplish? Always remember that the word choice purpose is to create awareness so you can be mindful of what's important to you. Let this be a nourishing time to help get your New Year Started right.

Art Journaling Prompt:
Using the word, Space, or your own Word Choice, as a prompt, use colors and textures that speak to that word choice, stamping out its meaning with alpha stamps or cut out letters from magazines. You're welcome to use an image of yourself to focus on what this word means to you.

Doodle Prompt:
I love doodling a word or phrase at the end of my day to encapsulate its meaning for me. You can use your Word for 2019 and really give it some pizzazz with your favorite markers, pens, pencils, paints...whatever suits your fancy. Really have fun with this one.

Copyright 2019 by Dawn Herring 
Copyright 2019 Images by Dawn Herring 

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2 Comments
Susan link
1/18/2019 08:05:40 am

Dawn, I enjoyed reading about your word for the year. I like your choice! One thing "space" means to me is having physical space by removing clutter. Our living room used to have an upright piano in it that no one ever played. I finally realized it was just a big piece of clutter. Getting rid of the piano made a big difference on the feeling you get walking in my house. It now feels spacious and serene to me. I chose the phrase joie de vivre to focus on this year and gave my reasons in a recent blog post. Basically, I'm tired of often being worried or stressed and want to enjoy life, even when I'm working.

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Dawn Herring link
1/24/2019 09:18:20 am

Susan,
I looked up the meaning of that phrase and I simply love it! The JOY of Living! Yay.
It's amazing what one act can do when it's initiated by mindfulness and awareness. Letting go is sometimes the first step toward a more empowered space and life! Being in the present moment can often help alleviate life's stresses. Yes, EnJOYing life, relishing moments and seeing anew what brings JOY. Thanks so much for sharing!

Be refreshed,
Dawn

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    Dawn Herring

    Dawn engages in many roles:  As Writer/Blogger and Artist/Creative and Founder of Refresh with Dawn Herring: Where Art and JOY Align, She enjoys sharing from her vast experience as award-winning, life-long artist and leader in the field of written journaling, offering encouragement and proven tips to other journal keepers. Dawn's focus is on written journal keeping, artistic expression and finding your Creative Voice, and positive change that leads personal empowerment, encouraging you to  leave your authentic and positive mark in the world. Dawn is a Commercial artist, hand letterer/illustrator and writer/blogger and enjoys sharing insights, humor, and encouragement as she shares from her life experiences as a woman, wife, mother of two grown daughters and as a Grandparent to a special needs grandson. She enjoys keeping a journal and reading spiritual texts to help keep the light on.  May JOY Align with Your Creative Heart.

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  • ART
    • Dawn's Art Demo Videos
    • Commercial Cartoon Illustration Art Gallery
    • Personal Cartoon Illustration Art Gallery
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    • Dawn's Spiritual Music Videos
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    • Beginnings
    • THE WAY I SEE IT
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    • Refresh Daily Blog >
      • Your Authentic Refreshment Blog
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    • The Way I See It Podcast
    • Keepin' It Sweet Show
    • The Art of Journaling Toolbox
    • The Art of Journaling Prompt Play Book
    • My Favorite Sweet Spots