Saturday, January 1, 2011

Whittling



OK. Another year bites the dust. What a year it was for me, wow. It was a year of change, movement, openings, closings, connections and disconnections. 2010 was all about the unexpected, so really I should not be surprised that my head is still spinning in its aftermath. You know how, in the cartoons, when a character gets hit upside the head, you see birds, planets and punctuation marks circling their heads? There's usually a chirping sound, too. When I look at 2010, that's how I feel. Holy cow.

My goal for 2011 is fairly simple. I want to take the stick of 2010, the one that hit me over the head repeatedly, and make something of it. I intend to strip off the bark, sand the wood, then carve all kinds of interesting shapes and symbols into it. It's possible it might take an entire year to integrate all the ups and downs of 2010. I'm prepared to invest the time because there is so much wisdom available from the comings and goings of 2010. Yeah.

Should say, it's not always a bad thing to get hit upside the head, even repeatedly. 2010 was a GREAT year for me. However, I wouldn't mind a more peaceful year in 2011. What do you think, God? Are you going to give me some space to catch up this year? I need time to carve and sculpt. What do you say, God? Yes? C'mon.

Happy new year! Chirp chirp. Onwards and upwards. Shalom.


Is is any surprise that I spent the early part of new year's eve at the Matchbox bar? It's the first time I've gone out on new year's eve in more than a decade. It was lots of fun!

21 comments:

California Girl said...

Happy New Year Reya. You may have some insight into this. Please read my post on Empty Nest Evolution re: the numerology lining up for me this year:
http://emptynestevolution.blogspot.com/2010/12/alotta-ones-in-2011.html

ellen abbott said...

It was a year of relative ease for me. Lots of down time with the down economy and lots of time with the grandkids. Now that I think of it, perhaps the stars lined up for us not to have much work so I could be there for my daughter and my sister. Also, I got re-inspired and started working in the studio again.

Reya Mellicker said...

Yeah, Ellen, and you made such BEAUTIFUL things in 2010. Best of all things for 2011.

Elizabeth said...

What a swanky looking bar........!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I look forward to you thoughtful musing
and, maybe, even seeing you?

Reya Mellicker said...

Elizabeth YES.

The Bug said...

I love the idea of carving that stick! I had a fairly peaceful 2010 (which is good because Dr. M did NOT), but still, taking the hard images & making them art - excellent idea!

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks, Dana. We'll see if and how I can accomplish my goal.

Barbara Martin said...

Reya, you will be given time in increments throughout the year while new insights are given to you. That was my message from God via his angels. You have many rewards to look forward to, and I will say this, that He is there for you to talk to.

I had a particularly tough latter half of 2010, and now on reflection it was purely inspirational while a learning experience into metaphysical realities.

Happy New Year, and may it bring you the road signs for 2012.

Shaista said...

Reya, I think you'll have your peaceful, reflective year - it's the Year of the Rabbit now :) and the Tiger is just walking away - yes he certainly shook things up! For me too :) But that was brilliant, and I felt mournful bidding the year goodbye last night. But, as you say, onwards!
Happy New Year!!

janis said...

ditto! I could not have said things better! Let me know what you are whittling...maybe I will follow your lead :)
Love to you, have a wonderful 2011. It's a clean canvas Reya~ kind of exciting isnt it?

Reya Mellicker said...

It is exciting, but I'm voting for calm and peaceful from now on.

Emily said...

Oh yeah...this is exactly how I feel about 2010. Here's to a calm and peaceful year for us both!

Mary Ellen said...

Wishing you the best for these intentions - good settling and whittling time.

Reya Mellicker said...

Emily, may it be so!

steven said...

six days ago i was in my parent's basement - a lovely finished space observed by a buddha, and in a corner, leaning against some pieces of wood was a walking stick. a long twisted deliberately carved walking stick. i held it knowing it was my father's. knowing that through his intention, the branch had taken form as a walking stick.
my father, through all that had been meted him as fair and good and the many other guises his life took, had reached a point where he could walk through a woodland and love it for the love it represented and the stick was his guide. i think we can be like that as people reya. no matter the hardship, the unfairness, the beautiful moments, the long sunrises and the sweet sunsets. this year will be filled with unimaginable strengths and hollowness, indescribable music and tears. but, like the branch that is now a beautifu walking stick, we can guide ourselves through the woods and know their beauty regardless. steven

Winston Riley said...

love that you went to the bar. that would be fun. haven't been in a very long time either. would love to have been having a dry Absolute martini with you in the big stemmed glass with three fat olives! Maybe two!

Reya Mellicker said...

Well how fitting, isn't it, that you were in contact with the walking stick, Steven. As I read your comment I realized that the traditional way to cast the I Ching is with sticks!

This past year I was bludgeoned with beauty, wonder and awe at least as much as with sorrow. Marvels and perils.

As for the year ahead, anything could happen. I'm counting on the sunrises and sunsets, but beyond that? All bets are off!

Reya Mellicker said...

Dubby that's so weird. I asked for lots of olives last night when usually I like my 'tini with a twist. It was a Ketel One martini (just one) but otherwise, you "saw" it. Wow.

steven said...

reay the traditional way to cast the i ching is with cracks in turle shells. i couldn't get one to sit still long enough!!! check it out! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Ching_divination steven

Val said...

aa beautiful idea Reya to turn 2010 into a sculpted stick and walk with it through 2011; i hope this is a wonderful year for you x

LadrĂ³n de Basura (a.k.a. Junk Thief) said...

Happy New Year. At the risk of making resolutions, I hope to blog more, Facebook less in 2011 or at least visit here more often. I always feel more peaceful after a visit.