Thursday, July 1, 2010

Commitments......................

This is part of a project I've committed to do.
Hopefully I will be showing you in it's completeness soon.


Commitment: means to show loyalty, duty or pledge to something or someone.


I am an INFJ. An INFJ is a perfectionist who doubts that they are living up to their full potential. INFJs are rarely at complete peace with themselves - there's always something else they should be doing to improve themselves and the world around them. They believe in constant growth, and don't often take time to revel in their accomplishments.

And that is just a hint at my complicated life.
We also place a very high regard on truth and keeping ones word, but we are also very generous at the same time and that can lead to problems, mainly regarding commitment. Or rather over committing oneself.

Have you ever been to the circus or an event that has one of those special jugglers? The kind that twirl multiple plates on long sticks high up in the air? And some even have 3 or more going in each hand. Most days I feel like that and sometimes even like this photo below that I found on Flickr. You've heard the adage 'you've bitten off more than you can chew' or 'I have a full plate, or too much on my plate right now'? Well that is what life is like for me.

I want to do so much, for so many, yet there seems to always be so little time and I can't always depend on having the time as my medical condition doesn't allow for this on a day to day basis. The spirit is so willing but the body doesn't always cooperate. So I get to feeling like this photo, not only juggling too many plates but doing it while standing on my head whilst the blood rushes down and I can't think any longer. My creativity is cut off and I can't function.
Plate twirling acrobats
Originally uploaded by yewenyi


Some people have trouble making commitments (more-so men than women), but there are also those of the creative vein that have trouble with OVER commitment. That is were I fall and that is where I need to retrain myself to reach a happy medium. Being an INFJ, as you have seen, makes me of the type that always feels I could do better, could do more, and that is a very powerful drive. But in doing that I never get the chance to enjoy the accomplishments of the commitments I've made.


I have taken to rectifying that. I have a list of things that I've promised to do for individuals or groups and I am evaluating them one by one, and purposing to complete these obligations and promises while striving each day to cross at least one thing off that list. And I have promised myself to not add any more to that list until that has been accomplished.


Then I have promised myself, made a commitment to myself, because I need to find myself worthy of making a commitment to, to sit down after this has been done and to evaluate what direction I want to go in. To write a plan and stick to it, to learn to say 'no', to narrow my vision to excel in a few areas instead of trying to have so many plates spinning. I will only put on my plate (one plate) that which I find the most reward in. And at this point in the artistic side of my life I believe it to be in my bead work. I have always loved little treasures and I also love helping others to grow their creativity since being a Art counselor at my fathers summer camp so long ago. So I see this year ahead as being more dedicated to my making all the little treasures that lay in my designing book in my head and in my sketch book on paper into a reality with my Art Beads.



I have to tell you as I write this it is early morning of a crisp unusually beautiful Summers day. I am outside on my porch enjoying the peace and quite and the sounds of the birds singing, they too are enjoying this respite from the awful hot and humid weather we've had. I see Squirrels feeding in my backyard, baby Blue Jays being fed by their mamas, a wood thrush bopping around hoping to find a tasty bug. Our 'BIG bunny' who has just hopped out from the edge of the woods nibbles on grass and wild strawberries. A baby dove pecks in a flower planter as I listen to the bubbler on the small pond on my patio. Purple Finches singing to me from only 8 feet away on the feeder.


I am easily distracted these days to little joys like this, slowing down I guess from all the rush, learning to take time, no, make time to STOP and smell the roses. Which reminds me........... the Rose Garden only a few miles away from me is in full bloom right now. I think I'll take a drive over there tomorrow evening when the dew starts falling and enhancing the heady fragrance.
This is a commitment I make to myself, and I'm sure that more bead inspiration from this will materialize.

This is another commitment I can cross off my list.
I will write you in more detail about it later.


Here is a pair of earrings I made recently and they will belong to the one whose name I draw on July 25th. Just leave a comment on this post to be entered into the drawing. Thanks for taking time to read!



Have a JOY Filled and Creative Day!







Photo mosaics are of completed commitments meant this past month. More about them later. :)

007-290

12 comments:

  1. Kate what a beautiful, reflective post. I know what you mean about doing to much and having too much on one's plate. I get to the point myself that I can't think straight or concentrate on any one thing to get it done.

    I would have loved to have been sitting on your porch with you this morning.

    Be Well

    P.S. the art beads, clasps and earring ROCK!

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  2. Thanks Jeannie, Now I can cross off the ABS Bloggers post too! Can't believe it took me 6 hours to write!

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  3. Kate! I am so glad that you and I could connect on this project. I hope you won't mind me 'lifting' those pictures you posted of the art beads you made for my gallery commitment, er, I mean exhibit. You took better pictures than I could!

    I think that one thing you said really resonated with me. There is a power in saying no. I am an overcreator...I commit to more things than I really should. You have inspired me to stop, take stock in what I have and what I can do, and really think before committing.

    I forgot about the personality types! I am an ENFP and the website says I am an INSPIRER. Wow! "ENFP - Enthusiastic, idealistic, and creative. Able to do almost anything that interests them. Great people skills. Need to live life in accordance with their inner values. Excited by new ideas, but bored with details. Open-minded and flexible, with a broad range of interests and abilities." That is ME to a T! Thanks for your inspiration today!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  4. LOL, that's funny Erin, with me I am very much attuned to details as you probably saw in the beads, sometimes its the details that keep you from seeing the whole picture, infj's need to guard against that. I am glad I could inspire you for a change! I was very happy to work with you on this project, I can't wait to see the outcome. :)

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  5. Great post, Kate, and thanks for sharing! Overcommitment is so easy with so many worthy causes, so many interesting media to work with, so cheers to you for seeking that ever elusive balance.

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  6. Great post! Over committment - hmmm - I know what that feels like :-) Those earrings sure would look nice with my new necklace :-)

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  7. Trying to get stuff done or make space to enjoy things is difficult when you have a health problem or disability, I understand that too!

    Maybe it would help if you tried organizing priorities according to 'The Spoon Theory'. . The lady who wrote it has Lupus but the principle really seems to be one that most disabled people can relate to - once I discovered this it was like a light bulb switched on in my head and suddenly I understood why I was giving everything 100% and still not getting any further forward! Give it a go and see if it helps any :).

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  8. wow Kate. What a great post. Thanks for putting into words the thoughts in my head. It's nice to know others feel the same way. I especially liked the bee bead. That's one of my totems, I guess you could call it. I always remind myself - Just Be. Enough of the have to do, need to do, want to do. Sometimes you just need to Be.
    Hugs to you my friend!

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  9. I think that women in general have problems with just saying no. That wouldn't be a bad thing but when do we get to enjoy what we have achieved. Great post!

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  10. Thank you all for your kind words. Gaina I will look into that, thanks!

    Lynn, I will be having some new beads in my shop soon as it cools off, we have been breaking 100 all this week, can't bake or make in that heat, but the new beads are centered around Bee-ing. :)

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  11. What a thoughtful post! Your work is lovely and I wish you more days of "smelling the roses" this summer!

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  12. Great post! I also loved the green, orange and white beads in particular.

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