NEW LIGHT

On Tuesday, my last night in Texas, we went to Threadgills, an Austin hot-spot made famous by Janis Joplin. We listened to a local band play old country favorites by the likes of George Jones and Marty Robins. We ate chicken fried steak and fried pickles. We had a couple of drinks and talked about my next visit. On our way to the car, I saw Orion shining brightly in the wide Texas sky.

On Wednesday, as I carted my luggage up the driveway, Orion showed himself through clouded breath over the treeline in the back yard. Home.

Perhaps one of my favorite things about traveling is the chance to see things in a new light, the chance to let my brain process things with renewed interest, or from a different perspective. When I take the time to step away from the busy-ness of my life here at home, I find I am easily inspired by the smallest of things, the simplest of places.

As the new year approached rapidly last week, I began to think of the resolutions I would make for the months ahead. And I began to think of ways I could find that same inspiration here...amidst the deadlines and schedules and piles of paper.

One afternoon in Austin, I sat back as my sister Stef and my friend DeLinda talked passionately about knitting. Knitting! It's all the rage they assured me as they compared favorite yarns and preferred needle sizes.

My hands with anything crafty are about as deft as my two (left) feet on a dance floor (before a couple of drinks), so knitting was not an option. But, I was inspired just the same.

Something new. Some new something to wrap my brain around. To stretch it, give it some creative range of motion. And this is what I came up with...

1 - READ MORE. I got a good start on this in 2004, and plan to continue with a goal of reading one book a week. Am also considering signing up for the Oprah Book Club...she's reading the classics now, which could prove interesting.

2 - BRING CAMERA EVERYWHERE. For as long as I can remember, I have owned a camera. I upgraded to a digital one more than a year ago and love the creative flexibility it offers. When I travel, it goes with me every moment...why should it be any different here at home?

3 - GO BACK TO SCHOOL. OK, maybe not school school. But our local Adult Education programs offers a wealth of interesting classes, two semesters a year. For the Spring semester, I am now considering: Spring Gardening, The Secrets of Interior Decorating, Beaded Jewelry, Spirit Communication, Women's Handyman Workshop, Creative Writing or Novel Writing for Beginners.

4 - SPEAKING OF WRITING...I wrote my first short story last year and the process was exhilarating! My goal this year is to set aside time each week to work on more. I'm even considering a laptop computer, so I can find a creative place away from the office.

5 - SEE MORE. It's hard to break away from work for a week's journey here and there. (Harder for my clients than me, truth be told.) But, there's so much to see right here--New England, Boston, even New York City (which I've only been to three times in my life!). So a day trip here or there just has to be in the plans for 2005!

Inspiring? I certainly hope so--that's my goal.

Now, how about you? What are you inspired to do in the coming year?

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