So enter 2013, can we take a moment to think about that for a second?  You see, to me, a new year always brings with it a sense of anxiety that is not necessarily bad.  A little bit of anxiety seems to motivate me into getting things done and making a better me.  Of course some Yogi tea was in order because I was trying to veg-out and my incessant nature of needing to accomplish something was hankering at me.  I told myself that I was going to relax for a whole day and I did, for the most part, but without thinking about productivity and what I want 2013 to do for me.  As I sipped my Kava root tea I thought about the direction I want to go, the things I have yet to accomplish and the people I still need to show gratitude for.

I want to take my career in a solid direction – I love technology, helping people and using my knowledge to create meaningful things.  In reality I am a crafts-woman, I build things; whether they are computers, websites, productions, gardens, schools, storyboards, or films.  I take pleasure in making things work and putting my final touches on it, after all an artist is only as unique as her art.  I remember walking with a friend of mine during Art Basel and I was asked, ‘so what is it that you really like to do?”  I said “making things work and finding the stories in life that are so wonderful and beautiful, yet overlooked because at first glance it seems dull and (in the words of big TV and movie executives) not very profitable.”  I got told “wow, that’s deep” as if I were an oddball (well maybe I am a little bit of an oddball, but I like it).  Everyday I thank the stars for the struggles and false starts that you would seem to think were failure.  In reality, it was triumph over what everyone else thought I should be, I won the person I want to be not the one people expected me to be.

No Bullshit

My personal life fills me with joy and I want to continue to harbor and nourish my fulfillment by surrounding myself with the people I love and love me back.   The night the clock stroke midnight and I bid farewell to 2012, I observed things within in my surroundings which – in turn – made me observe things in myself.  Here’s what I learned for 2013 – the happier you are the more you must guard your spirit from those who may not be as happy.  Show kindness to these people and be strong when they test you and your patience, these are the folks that want to invoke the insecurities in you so that it reflects the ones in themselves.  Recognize those with true light in their hearts, encourage them to be as awesome as you know they can, tell them you are pulling for them all the way and that they rock.  Generosity is a commendable virtue and we can be generous but we also have to remember that taking care of our own is a priority.  Only after we are certain to be standing on the strongest foundation built by our own two hands is when we can help others and even then people will recognize your generosity and extend hands falsely.  A true craftsmen knows that the things she (he) builds can never be broken or damaged by anyone else except themselves. Your spirit is your own and only you can determine whether others will hack at it to destroy it – the power is yours, not theirs.   Those who are around you and make you feel calmer, encourage positive vibes and well being are the ones that belong there – you know who they are, honor and respect them.

We all have our rituals, its a cultural thing, some of us eat twelve grapes at midnight, others walk around the house with a suit case to promote travel and a good amount of us kiss our love at midnight.  Last night I had a great meal with family, it was the first dinner of the New Year and everyone was calm.  We were dressed in comfy clothes, we ate and drank from disposable (and recyclable china) and the chefs prepared a very healthy meal – so we started our year right; no drama, no frills and genuineness.  The glitzier things appear the less real they are.  Rhinestones always shine in the light but take no time to become dull, diamonds take a long time to shine but the more time passes, the brighter and shinier they become.  How about we buck up, recognize what is real and kick 2013 in the butt so it has no choice but to do everything you need it to do for you.