January is flying by. It seems that we have just finished celebrating Christmas, New Year’s and my birthday (January 8th) and suddenly we are almost one-twelfth of the way through 2012!

Before we get any further along in the year I would like to present a few thoughts about planning. In recent years I have basically stopped making the usual type of “New Year’s Resolutions.” Instead, I am seeking to have a “planning mind-set” throughout the year. In late December or early January, I write down the areas I would like to make progress in, and make plans based on the results I would like to see in these areas.

By using the principle of “plan your work, then work your plan,” a person can accomplish a lot through the course of a day, month or year. This is much more exciting than what results from drifting through a day, randomly doing a few things here and there without a plan.

For 2012 I decided to design my own planner to help me keep track of what I want to do, as well as to summarize what I accomplish each day. I think others would like using this planner as well, so I am offering it as a free download.

On the left side of each page are times, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., in half-hour increments, so whether a person is an early-bird or a night owl, there is plenty of room to note appointments as well as other plans for the day.

Beside the “Plans” column I have included an “Accomplishments” section. I have found that even though my plans for the day can be like a map showing where I want to go, sometimes there are “detours” – things that come up which take the day in a different direction. What is accomplished on the “detour” can be just as valid and important as my original plans. I created the “Accomplishments” section so I can summarize what I did each day, regardless of whether or not I followed my original plan. I believe it will be very helpful and encouraging to be able to look through the pages at the end of the week or month, or any time during the year, and see how much I have achieved.

Below the “Accomplishments” section I have included some lines for “Notes.” This is a good place to write down various reminders or ideas for activities to include in plans for upcoming days.

The planner pages are 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches so they can be printed out and put into a three-ring binder. I like this size of page because it provides lots of room to write.

I really hope you will enjoy using this planner. Here is the link to download your free 2012 planner.

Tonight I noticed that my previous post is dated September 15, 2011, and I thought, “Wow! Was it really that long ago that I did a blog post?” I guess I have some catching up to do!

I was planning to write something today about getting organized for the new year, but then I decided to say something about Christmas before it gets too far behind us. I hope that those who are reading this have had an enjoyable time over the Christmas holidays. I sure did!

I went to Victoria and visited my sister and brother-in-law and their two married daughters and their families. I have six great-nephews and three great-nieces, ranging in age from eleven down to two. Four of them are aged four and under, including a set of three-year-old twins! Needless to say, this delightful group can be rather noisy when we are all in one room having dinner together and opening our Christmas gifts!

I really enjoyed my time with my family. One memory that stands out for me was something I observed while watching Honey and Jonah’s children open their gifts from their parents on Christmas Day. There was such a pure delight on Jonah’s face as he handed a child a gift and watched him open it. The child’s expression was equally precious. Then he handed out another gift while saying, “I have another gift for you,” and watched the child open that one. This scene is etched in my mind as a wonderful picture of Father-God’s loving heart. He loves to give His children gifts that we will use and enjoy, and He is thrilled to see us open them.

Some of His gifts to us are material, such as the air we breathe, sunshine, and good food, as well as the many “things” that can make our lives easier. Some of His gifts are not material. Some of the non-material gifts have actually been placed within us and we don’t even realize they are there.

In my favorite movie, “The Nativity Story,” the shepherd says to Mary, “Your gift is what you carry inside you.” Obviously he meant the Baby Jesus, but I see something else in that statement as well. We all carry something inside us and when that gift is expressed it can transform our individual lives as well as the lives of many others.

Your gift may be to smile. I think that is one of my gifts. My parents used to tell me that when I was a baby I used to smile nearly all the time! Don’t under-estimate the value and power of your smile. The next person you smile at may be someone who is feeling despair and your smile may be exactly what they need at that moment, to let them know someone cares about them. This may change, perhaps even save, that person’s life!

Your gift may be to listen. We all need a listening ear sometimes. We just need that one friend to whom we can pour out our hearts, who will assure us that everything will be all right.

There are so many other gifts – teaching, encouraging, singing, creating art, baking, writing, the abilities to invent, build or repair things – the list could go on. We have all been given something that we can use by offering it to others.

Sometimes our internal gifts stay undiscovered or get buried. We are impressed when talented singers such as Susan Boyle get “discovered.” The interesting thing is they first discovered for themselves what they had, and began to express it. Until we explore and begin to share what is within us, our gifts will not benefit others, but when we step out and let people have even a glimpse of what we have been given, amazing opportunities can open before us.

I mentioned above that our gifts can get buried. What can cause this to happen? Sometimes we may bury our gifts in reaction to the unkind words or actions of others. For example, if a parent or teacher laughs at a child’s drawing the child may, from that time forward, believe that they have no talent in that area, when, in fact, the opposite may be true.

How do we overcome these things? How do we move past the pain of dream-killing words? So much of what we live out comes from what we believe. The good news is that if we have believed something false, we can recognize the false idea for what it is, and choose to believe the truth instead and then act upon it. We do not have to be bound by the negative input of others. We can overcome it and move into expressing the gifts that we have been given. If you have something you like to do but have believed that you can’t succeed at it because someone has told you you aren’t talented in that area, I encourage you to think this through and challenge any false beliefs you may have developed. You may be pleasantly surprised to find yourself doing things you didn’t think you would ever be able to do!

Another thing that can cause us to bury our gifts is busyness. Maybe you are working full-time or are raising children, or both. Maybe you feel you just don’t have time to pick up your guitar or write anymore. Of course, I don’t know your individual circumstances, but perhaps you can work things out that you could start rediscovering your gift for ten minutes a day. A little effort can develop into something more and you may soon be really glad you just made that decision to start.

What gift are you carrying inside you? Are you using it? Is it undiscovered or buried? I hope you will unwrap it today!

The artist himself is often surprised at the finished work of art. He cannot tell “how it happened,” nor could he repeat the feat at someone’s bidding. – John F. Carlson

An opening and a receptiveness to design and pattern for its own sake seems to free the painting hand. – Robert Genn

Making art is the most relaxing, joyous, therapeutic stimulating way to spend your time, as you unleash the part of your brain that’s been itching to get at it. – Harley Brown

For any of my readers who are also artists, have you found these quotations to be true as you create art? In what ways?

The quotations for today and tomorrow are about the process of creating art.

Each painting has its own way of evolving… When the painting is finished the subject reveals itself. – William Baziotes

While I am working I am not conscious of what I am putting on the canvas. – Pablo Picasso

The painting has a life of its own. I try to let that come through. – Jackson Pollock

Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do. – Edgar Degas

Today’s quotations are about art critics.

I don’t listen to what art critics say. I don’t know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is. – Jean Michel Basquiat

Critics, mathematicians scientists and busybodies want to classify everything, marking the boundaries and limits … In art there is room for all possibilities. – Pablo Picasso

Critics are the products of their own times and biases and what they have to say about works of art is as transient and insubstantial as fashion. – Robert Genn

Critics don’t matter. Who cares about Michelangelo’s critics? – Irwin Greenberg

I really agree with the quote by Robert Genn. I find it fascinating that art which was seriously frowned upon in its day, became very famous and sought-after, for example, works by Claude Monet. Artists who have been willing to try different things and break away from established “art rules” have blessed the world with whole new kinds of art. In view of this, what is your opinion about art critics? Is there benefit to paying attention to what they say? Could doing so hinder creativity? I’d love to hear your views on this in the comments.

The theme for today’s quotations is creativity and art.

Creativity takes courage. – Henri Matisse

You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it should be a vague idea. – Pablo Picasso

I cannot do without something greater than I, something that is my life–the power to create. – Vincent van Gogh

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted. – Henri Matisse

What are your thoughts on creativity and art?

Today’s quotations are about art being a language.

Art is the one thing that speaks to everyone. Art transcends time and ties us all together as the human race. – David Dory

Art is a language. It’s not a skill. It’s not a stunt. It’s not something that you just learn to do and put it down. It comes from the heart. – Wynona Mulcaster

In order correctly to define art, it is necessary, first of all, to cease to consider it as a means to pleasure and to consider it as one of the conditions of human life. Reflecting on it in this way we cannot fail to observe that art is one of the means of effective communication between people. - Leo Tolstoy

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting with the gift of speech. – Simonides

Painting is an extension of man’s means of communication As such, it’s pure, difficult, and wonderful. – Sidney Nolan

Art is our one true global language. It knows no nation, it favors no race, and it acknowledges no class. It speaks to our need to reveal, heal, and transform. It transcends our ordinary lives and lets us imagine what is possible. – Richard Kamler

How have you found art to be like a language? Your comments are welcome.

The quotations for today are about emotion and art.

Art is one of the few things in today’s world that is completely personal and original and expresses what a person is. It can inspire feeling, expression and passion in others. That’s the intrinsic value of art. – Brent Heighton

Art is not a transcript nor a copy. Art is the expression of those beauties and emotions that stir the human soul. – Howard Pyle

A picture is a work of art, not because it is “modern,” nor because it is “ancient,” but because it is a sincere expression of human feeling. – John F. Carlson

I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say, “He feels deeply; he feels tenderly.” – Vincent Van Gogh

Have you experienced art affecting you emotionally? What painting or other work of art has affected you most? How? I’d love to hear about your experience, in the comments.

Today’s quotations are about art as an expression of culture.

The art of a people is the true mirror to their minds. – Jawaharlal Nehru

Art is the signature of civilizations. – Jean Sibelius

Art is the response of the living to life. It is therefore the record left behind by civilization. – John Sloan

Artists create identities for cultures and societies. – Anonymous

The arts are an even better barometer of what is happening in our world than the stock market or the debates in congress. – Hendrik Willem Van Loon

Do you think that art is an accurate expression of culture? In what ways?

The essence of all art is to have pleasure in giving pleasure. – Mikhail Baryshnikov

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together. – John Ruskinov

Engagement with art – with the product of someone else’s imagination – can change your life, often for the better, and sometimes profoundly. – Max Wyman

What are your thoughts on the above quotations? I welcome your responses in the comments.