you are enough, part two (and the giveaway winner!!)

Today I'm announcing the winner of my recent giveaway. (Thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate my new fabric collection!!!).

But first I wanted to share some things I've been thinking. I wasn't completely finished with thoughts from the other day.

One of the things that I love about these days that lead up to the end of December is the chance to close one year and begin afresh with another. It's a time to reflect and plan and set goals. It's also a time to celebrate all I've accomplished during the past twelve months. Every year, no matter how challenging or dark, has things to celebrate. It's important to remember that.

houseplants, winter, amaryllis, geraniums, spider plants, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

The flip side is that during all this reflection it's easy for our thoughts to linger on all the ways we've fallen short. Goals not accomplished, plans abandoned or derailed, failures. Even if we did accomplish our goals or carry out our plans, it's tempting to wish that we'd done more. And if we look around at what everyone else is celebrating... sometimes our accomplishments can feel a little flat.

Stop.

Stop with criticism.

Stop with comparison.

Stop being hard on yourself for what you didn't accomplish.

color, watercolor, color swatches, color splotches, color palette, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

There's always more we could do. Even when we reach our loftiest goals there's another dream waiting. And that is good. That keeps us moving forward. But let's stop for a moment and look at what we did accomplish. Let's CELEBRATE what we accomplished.

Next year is there, waiting. Fresh and new and ready for plans and goals or maybe just intentions. For now, you are enough. Right now. As you are.

You are enough.

watercolor, clay pots, terra cotta, sketching, watercolor sketches, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

You are the only one traveling along your path. You're the only one stumbling on those specific rough spots. You're the only one encountering just that fork in the road. You're the only one with that unexpected detour. You are doing the best that you can. And it is enough.

Be gentle with yourself. Encourage yourself. Celebrate yourself.

Ok?

And now, on to choosing the giveaway winner!! (Definitely something to celebrate!).

giveaway, tins, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

Thank you for all your kind words about my new fabric collection. Thank you for letting me give autumn one last hurrah. Winter is definitely here now. We have snow on the ground. Maybe you do, too?

It's so fun to listen to what you had to say about your favorite seasons. So much beauty in each one. Autumn got the most votes from you and then spring.

The winner likes spring the best...

giveaway, giveaway winner, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

Congratulations to Glenda C! Send me an email with your address and I'll mail off your tea towel!

To each of you, I'm sending joyful thoughts. Savor these last weeks of 2017.


Comments

  1. Oh my goodness! You picked my name as the winner?! I am so thrilled! Emailing my details right now. Thank you!

    And thank you as well for your words about stopping with the self criticism - I needed to hear that today. ♡♡♡

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Glenda! Congratulations!! Thank YOU for being here encouraging and supporting me. I truly appreciate it!

      I am so happy to know that my words were just what you needed to hear. If I can touch just one person with what I write on my blog, I've done what I've set out to do.

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