A Rewind of 2012: My Life Dimensions

I find it such a joy to look back at this past year to see and remember all I have experienced both personally and professionally. I wanted to share my musings and rememberings with you, my dear readers!

My Life Dimensions of 2012:

As Grandma: I have had the joy of watching my grandboy grow and develop into the precious person he is and to know what a difference he makes to me and to my family. His laughter, his conversation, his point of view, his stepping stones, and his personality just light up my world adding wonderful, creative and insightful energy to my life experience which I enjoy sharing with friends and loved ones.

As Artist: I continue to immerse myself in the fun and fabulous world of art journaling, collage, and watercolor exploration. I have immensely enjoyed watching videos, reading and seeing art journaling/collage in living color on blogs, in newsletters and in books, and experimenting with my own layouts with new products and new approaches. Watercolor continues to be my medium of choice both solo and in my art journaling work (or should I say, PLAY!) I love its transparency, its versatility, and its vibrancy in my work as an artist. I look forward to every moment spent in my art studio in 2013 as I make time to refresh my spirit and soul in the process. It is my True Authentic Refreshment!

As Writer: I am delighted to share the publication of my first book, an e-book, titled, "The Birthday Wall: Create a Collage to Celebrate Your Child," a how-to book that shares our story of making a creative visual collage I put together for each of my daughters, and now for my grandboy, for their birthdays each year. It has been a fun journey to put the word out about how parents (and grandparents) can create a collage to celebrate their child's (grandchild's) birthday.

I was delighted to have my good writer friend, Sarah Bryant, share how The Birthday Wall helped her connect with her son for his birthday and beyond.

I have enjoyed sharing a fresh perspective in all of life's dimensions through my weekly Refresh Journal which coincides with my weekly #JournalChat Live for all things journaling.

When I have been impacted by a life experience that I find insightful and meaningful, I have enjoyed sharing these gained insights with you, my dear readers, right here on this blog, Refresh with Dawn Herring~For a Fresh Perspective. I appreciate all comments and feedback from those who have shared and with whom my message has resonated.

I also have had the wonderful opportunity to share and contribute to book tours. One was featured on my newest blog, The Birthday Wall, called, "Happy Birthday To You: My Childhood Memory," to spread the word about the book, Finding Emma by Steena Holmes. The other was featured on my #JournalChat blog, titled, "A Mom's Point of View on Mental Illness with Madeline Sharples," in connection with #JournalChat contributor, Madeline Sharples with her book, Leaving the Hall Light On.

I have written book reviews on Raw Art Journaling by Quinn McDonald and Creative Journal Writing by Stephanie Dowrick.

I have also published articles, "Finding Your Authentic Refreshment," (starts on page 25) in Outlet Zine, a online magazine focused on creative outlets and on All Things Healing.com titled, "Journal Your Way to Refreshment."

As Host of #JournalChat Live for all things Journaling on Twitter: I must say it has been a delightful, insightful and inspiring year of chatting with folks about the life-enhancing and life-changing benefits of keeping a journaling practice. Each week has been enlightening, fun and enlivening as we have shared personally about keeping a journal, asked questions, perused journaling resources from our #JournalChat Pick of the Week, and as we've encouraged one another to keep our practice as only We Can Do. Journaling is a Custom Creation of the Heart. MY THANK YOU.

As Journal Writer: I continue to benefit from a journaling practice that continues to thrive and grow and change as I do. This year I added a morning entry with no set page number where I can ready myself for the day, make plans, set goals, and remember what needs doing. I also write a nightly entry to help me summarize my day, write down my insights gained, and congratulate myself on a daily job well done. Journaling continues to help me appreciate, validate and nurture myself the way I need to each day, custom created by whatever approach, question, prompt I decide to use.

I have read many journal writing book titles to learn from other's approaches and read other's journal entries, and understand even more the benefits of journaling. There is always something new to learn from others who have kept a journaling practice and can share how they  have benefited; something I never tire of.

This has a been a delightful trip down memory lane as I've considered all of my wonderful life experiences; it has helped to give me a fresh perspective on all of my life dimensions and it fills my heart with gratitude for all I have been blessed with.

To my family, my friends, my network of artist, writing and journal writing friends, my readers and my subscribers, I wish a Fabulously Refreshing New Year of 2013.

May your year be filled with authentic refreshment that feeds and nurtures your heart and soul to enliven and enable you to make your very best mark in the world.

Don't ever forget to refresh yourself; from my heart to yours.

© 2012 by Dawn Herring