January means time for self rediscovery

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE January and February.  Most others think I am crazy because the weather is cold and there isn't much to do...... which is exactly what I love.  January brings on a season of simplicity. (Please keep in mind, simplicity is a relative comparison.)  Although plenty of inspiration is born out of stressful desperation, I need simplicity for the sake of purposeful self rediscovery.  I have to admit, my soul gets a little lost between October and the end of December.  I guess lost isn't the right word.... maybe just burried.  Time to pull out the shovel and dig out who I am and what direction I want to be taking. 

Setting New Years goals is big in my house as you could probably guess.  On New Years Eve the whole family sits down to check off what they accomplished from last year and decide what they what to go for in the coming year.  I am happy to report all three of my goals for last year were met and exceeded. Yeah!  The boys get into it too. Let me share some of their 2012 goals.  Will, 1. Ride switch on the wakeboard 2. Participate in Avalanche training workshop 3. Bike to Grandma's via The Canyons to Millcreek into SL.  Jonas, 1. Start piano (already checked that off yesterday) 2. Participate in summer dog sled racing program 3. Keep a fish alive for 6 months in his new Salt Water Aquarium.  Unfortnately, Sasha isn't quite old enough to understand the concept of goals but I promise it'll be exciting when she does.  Both Josh and I have a list of 5 goals this year which is a few more that usual but we like a challenge.  I have learned for myself that if I don't spend these three months setting my course for the year ahead I can find myself either dead in the water with exhaustion or forgetting what are my important priorities.  I made a comment to some people I volunteer with that all my inspiration come between January and April and then the rest of the year is implementing those ideas.  Backyard Art came together so well last summer because I determined my weekly projects before March was over and started gathering supplies.  If I would have waited until I was over my head in summer schedules I would have chosen to go with what we the easiest NOT what was the best. 

So I have had two weeks to remember who I am and now I am headed to New Orleans to add another level of inspirtation to the year.  I LOVE PPA convention and hanging with my friends who geek out over all the technical advancement that happen each year in the world of photography.

I thought self dicovery related to this awesome session I had with a young man who is getting ready for his Bar Mitzva.  I am absolutely delight to be a part of this huge milestone in his life.  He is such a joy to be around it gives me great hope for my own boys that it is possible to successfully navigate your kids through these trying times.  I have to say, I love working with skiers!