the year of learning…
January 3, 2012
I have never been so clear as to what a year should hold. I start every one with a, “I think 2011 will be even better than 2010…” and some years this was true and others, well, not so much. I never exactly have any idea how they will be better, I guess I just hope they will, that I will not repeat mistakes, or that I may be another year older, or that I have some new hope, idea, or plan brewing…
but this year, I know I am walking straight into a learning year. Not the the intuitive, slow, safe kind that I really love and live by but the down and dirty, LOTS of work, putting it out there, taking risks, pushing past kind of work. In some ways I get this sort of invigorating and dread feeling all at once…it’s probably exactly where I should be. In the middle.
…and the beautiful part is, I don’t think I’ve ever been this brave to take it on before, and yet I am still scared shitless- I am fully aware the suck part is coming too and well, there is no other way to go- except through, suck and all…but here I go.
Chances are, I will discover kindness, in a new place I haven’t been, hiding in a crevice somewhere, or keeping me afloat.
Care to join me?
What learning would you do if you could find the courage? or I wonder if the courage is already there, waiting for you.
I watch this, almost every other day to keep me going…oh, how I adore Ira.
Kindnessgirl 
January 3, 2012 at 8:49 am
Oh this post resonated with me! I feel exactly as you do. This IS a learning year and I feel so confident about it this time around. Good things really are waiting!
January 3, 2012 at 9:20 am
Thank you for this post. I, too, am in a learning phase, both in my business and in my personal life. I enjoyed this video by Ira very much, and I wanted to recommend a book to you by Steven Pressfield called “Do the Work”. I guess he is my Ira-I read that book over and over and it has really helped me.
Thank you for your beautiful pictures and lovely words.
January 3, 2012 at 10:14 am
I’m with you on The journey of the courageous warrior.
January 3, 2012 at 10:55 am
Thanks. I read this and it gave me the push I needed. 2012 is the year of learning and adventures!
January 3, 2012 at 11:48 am
Already there girl. Got another full year of suck and wonder learning ahead. Scared again but very hopeful. Hoping for loads of kindness along the way. Lots of letting go, going with my gut and wearing it on my sleeve– feeling there is no cover. Sometimes it feels free and other times awful and very lonely. Hoping for better than last year. Best of luck to you in the new year and always! D
January 3, 2012 at 12:18 pm
I’m certain the courage is already there, waiting patiently to be noticed. And I’m with you on the learning year. I suppose in hindsight they always are, but there’s something about leaning into intentionally from the very beginning that makes dreamy ambition real and reachable.
January 3, 2012 at 4:03 pm
How serendipitous that I came to Kindness Girl today seeking courage. Knowing that your vulnerability alone always gives me some. And that your message was waiting for me (it felt very personal, as it always does). Our world needs courage this year. New levels, to act in new, vulnerable, and beautiful ways. And I want to be a part of it. So thank you for the invitation!
Amy
delightforthesoul.com
January 3, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Patience,
I neeeeeded this post in such a big way. Particularly that Ira Glass clip. Before watching that, I was going to comment on how I wanted to learn what life would be like if I had the courage to quit. To quit pushing my creativity, to stop believing I had talent, to just resign myself to living an average life. Now, I want to learn what I can really do if I have the courage to NOT quit.
Thank you for this.
Amber
January 3, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Everyone has a voice. The world needs to hear it!
January 4, 2012 at 2:22 am
Thank you for sharing this post and the video..Ira Glass rocks!
Love how you’re honest and wear your heart on your sleeve. I do believe sharing is part of learning and discovery…to release our thoughts and emotions out into the universe – have it return to us in whatever expression or form – to me, that takes courage…
For me, I share a similar realization. This year I follow my true purpose as an artist and it scares the crap out of me. To break out of the comfort zone and reach for more…However, I know it’s a necessary path to follow, no matter what risks and hard work it takes and requires. It took me years to accept that I’m an artist and that I need to follow my heart to “something more”. I recently thought and have read in different sources, it’s the things in life that scare us that allow us to grow and progress as artists, humans, spiritual beings..whatever one wants to call it. And somehow, we chose these “tests” unknowingly or knowingly.
I think it’s great to have a forum to share, especially as artists. Most of us share the same process and uncertainties…to me, it helps to see as a reminder, that we’re not alone (as in the Ira piece). That success is possible and it’s necessary to push our boundaries and reach for the limitless possibilities. Or we run the risk of never knowing, maybe wondering-what if, maybe regretting…I’d rather not go down that route anymore…lessons learned! Now I share as much I can…as I’ve seen how it helps others and myself.
So I join you in the reach for something more, especially as an artist. thanks again for the post and keep creating!
Best,
Michelle
January 4, 2012 at 3:30 pm
it’s amazing how your thoughts, into words, can mean so much to those who read them. Here goes to jumping into the deep end and swimming toward the other side 🙂 love you friend.
January 4, 2012 at 5:57 pm
I believe my learning in 2012 will continue to be discovering who I am outside of work, since I continue to unemployed. I am looking at how I define myself aside from being “Sid’s Daughter” and “Pete’s Ayat” ayat means woman and aside from being Auntie Bess, college graduate, creative “Martha Stewart-wanna be” and get down to the nitty gritty of Who is Bessie Wilson?
January 6, 2012 at 5:56 pm
I know Bessie and I know she is a loving and caring stong woman, she is kind, compassionate, and VERY family oriented, her husband is very fortunate she picked him as the one to love
January 6, 2012 at 12:53 pm
oh, thank you…these comments are like little treasures of wisdom and insight!
January 8, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I am with you. This year is already calling me to learn in beautiful and painful and terrifying ways. My word for the year is connection, learning to trust and open myself up to be fully in relationship.
Thank you for the brightness and wisdom you offer the world.
Can I meet you in real time this year? Please?
March 2, 2012 at 9:03 am
[…] getting there sucks so bad…remember? For the love of God, who let me invite The Year of Learning into my life? I thought it was going to be taking photography classes and jumping into hard […]
March 2, 2012 at 11:21 pm
I’m in a year of learning, too…which involves jumping off a cliff and praying that it’s not too far down. Hang in there…and thanks for the video link…I’ve shared it on my blog. 🙂