2016 Review Part 7 of 8

I definitely had some Daring Adventures in 2016.

Daring to Retreat
I did an overnight silent retreat at Villa de Matel in Houston. The silence wasn't nearly so hard as the solitude, and while I don't necessarily ever want to do it again, it really shifted some things for me and jumpstarted some new rhythms I had been wanting in my life but just had never fully committed to doing.

I attended a creative art workshop retreat out of state by myself. Squam By the Sea in May. Julia Cameron recommends artist dates and I felt like I really gave myself permission. I still remember being scared getting the rental car from the airport (hello minivan that I didn't reserve :) and driving to the retreat, but I'm so thankful I followed the signs and it was a great weekend to be with other creatives and nurture my artist self.

Daring to Training
I said yes to embarking on a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Barefoot Girl Yoga. I almost said no because I felt like I might be taking on too much new as still just finding my new rhythm, but yoga has become such an integral part of my daily life and this was on my list of things I wanted to do at some point.

I'm still not sure all I will do with it, but I also took a 35-hour Thyroid Yoga™ training, so I definitely can't wait to see how this new offering can be used to help others. I'm definitely thinking some retreats in 2017 would be fun so be on the look out!

​Daring to Let Go
I also think it was pretty daring to let go of what wasn’t working. As I was learning what I wanted to build in my life, I had to let go of some pieces to make room for the new. I worked really hard on my negative thought patterns through prayer, meditation, journaling, and using the emotional freedom technique. It's still a work in progress but I'm creating new grooves.

I'm also still trying to let go of multi-tasking. I think I jump around because I get tired or overwhelmed but then I end up with even more of a mess. And when I'm trying to listen and do something else, my brain just gets tired and I really don't absorb it all.

This one is still a bit sad for me, but long-distance running. I started running in 2010, and since then it has become a piece of me. Whether I pushed too hard in January or my body is just healing, it's not up for much running anymore without serious consequences of fatigue and I just don't have the energy I did. I'm trying to adjust and love short distances that get me out in nature and taking magic photos. I also allowed lots of rest and know I can't do it that much in a week. 

Daring to be Imperfect and Embrace the Unknown
If I didn't dare to be imperfect, things just wouldn't have happened. I gave myself permission to be imperfect and thus I tried out video blogging (VLOGs) and facebook live. Being imperfect also allowed me to go for things I might not have, like an art competition that I wasn't chosen for but so glad I submitted to.

To build a creation out of LEGO® bricks everyday I had to allow so much imperfection as didn't always have the time or energy or motivation I wanted to give to it. And when the idea came to me in meditation to do an art exhibition with the FINAL 30 creations of the year, I said yes even though I had no idea what would happen or how it would develop. I'm so glad I've said yes though as it has turned into an amazing inspiring experience that I can't wait to share with everyone soon.

​Stay tuned for Part 8 next week!
In case you missed it:
Part 1 of 2016 Review
Part 2 of 2016 Review 
​Part 3 of 2016 Review
Part 4 of 2016 Review
Part 5 of 2016 Review
Part 6 of 2016 Review

And if you want to know more about why I'm doing an annual review, and especially why I'm sharing it, read my recent blog post about it thanks to Cynthia Morris. ​