Spoonful of Imagination

Add it to a Family for Something Beautiful

  • Home
  • Our Family
    • Our Home
  • Courses
  • Shop
  • Contact

Happy New Year! 2019!

January 6, 2019 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

Happy New Year Friends! Do you come up with ‘one little word’ for the new year, instead of a bunch of goals too?

I have a hard time letting go of my word for the year, when it is time for a new one. This one little tradition of coming up with a word for the year has been woven into my life for years. I can look back on each year and see that year’s word woven through that year’s events as a theme. It’s fun to see how the years build on one another in such a big scoop way.

Going into 2018, I knew we had something with our little art studio that we opened, but the little flame in me was burning out from carrying so many hats. So, I choose CREATE as my word to remember we have power to CREATE the life we love. I pulled back from doing it all. I tried to put people around me who were gifted and found life in areas that were not natural for me. We came up with some standardized systems and methods that helped simplify some of the decision processes. Decision fatigue is no joke.

A small little team took birth at the studio. This team brought me life. I’m still learning and see it’s the constant morphing, being open, and staying humble that is required in leading. I’m up for the challenge and ended 2018 encouraged and filled up more than 2017. I’m better off because of the people around me. It’s because of those journeying with me in the studio’s vision that helped CREATE a life I love.

Life is better with people carrying a part of it. I’m better with a TEAM at work and when my family acts on things together. As sad as it is to say goodbye to CREATE, I’m so excited to embrace TEAM.

To my biggest team player, Matt, I love you. I can’t wait to see how God morphs and weaves this word into our 2019.

Happy new year friends!

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Time to Play

January 10, 2016 By Erica Deuel Leave a Comment

play_timeIt is finally 2016, and with the new year comes new hopes, dreams and aspirations with a fresh start. Some of us may make new years resolutions and some may think that is trivial. I think most of us could agree that even if there are no particular goals, we hope to be better than the previous year.

We want to grow, for that means we are alive and living. I do create goals each year, but the bigger thing for me is picking one word that represents my priority and focus for the year. I like that this simple word can help inspire me and be something that I go back to as a foundation and prayer throughout the year.

After the heavy last year, I was scared what word may come to me for this year. Matt and I got to get away for a few days right after Christmas. It was wonderful to dream, laugh, and process life together. As we were having these conversations, I kept hoping a word would stand out as my inspiration for this 2016 year.

During our trip we started reading this book, Essentialism by Greg McKeown, together. It is a perfect read for the new year. I won’t do it justice by trying to explain it. Let me just say, if you haven’t read it, you should!

snow_girl

snowballs

snow_play

a_boy_and_his_pup

snow_day

There is a chapter on play that I cannot shake. Again, you should read the book. As a creative person (who loves to dream and imagine), words that expressed the importance of “playing” brought life back into my tired soul. Here are a few notes I jotted down in my journal…

Playing….

  • is not trivial
  • produces imagination
  • gives power to improve
  • leads to brain activity
  • is crucial to survival
  • causes creative behaviors
  • leads to some of the best memories and moments
  • broadens perspective
  • is an antidote to stress
  • is a vital driver in creativity
  • is essential

I don’t think it’s any surprise why kids are so creative. They play so well. May we take note and learn to play better.

peaceI love playing with my kids, but do not always do well just checking out of all the lists, home responsibilities and adult-ing required to just fully let loose and enjoy the moment (or hours) without any of those other worries.

This snowy day a week ago, we just played in the snow for about three hours together. It was beautiful, and I have thought about this day all week-long.

We laughed. We ate snow….got snowballs in the face…built a snowman…chased the dogs…and were just present together…doing nothing but enjoying the time. There was no goal. There was no list of a task or pressure to be anything but us.

snow_couple

shoveling_snow

making_a_snowman

building_a_snowman

snowman

playing_in_snowBy the time Matt and I got home from our getaway, I had my word. Courage.

I’m still processing all that it means, but the concept is largely to have courage in my life. To make brave decisions, to trust, to listen, to talk less, to be present, to be open, to try to break chains and bad habits in me, and fight for a life that I want and feel led towards.

Courage takes strength. It takes bravery and fighting against what may be expected but to do what you know is right. I want to do me well. To use my gifts and passions for good and not try to be anything else. With this one wild and crazy life, I want to have courage to live. On this snowy day, it was courage to play.

Have you found a word for your year yet? More on mine soon. To chat more often, follow me on Instagram: ericadeuel

signature

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
YouTube-Channel
Erica Deuel

Subscribe for Weekly Updates!




Most Popular Posts

Painting Flower Pot Party Tips
DIY {easy} Burlap Wreath
DIY Outdoor Checker Board
DIY Burlap Flowers
Chiffon Flower Tutorial
DIY Paper Butterflies- Spring decor for cheap
DIY Outdoor Table
DIY King Size Rag Quilt {Repost}
Cheap lamp to Industrial Beauty
Engraved Wood Sign Tutorial (and Dremel Micro)

Categories

  • All About the Kids
  • art journal
  • Blogging
  • Christmas
  • Craft Projects
  • Dancing Zebras
  • DIY
  • Eddy's postcards
  • Embroidery Journal
  • Family
  • Featured
  • Fireside Chat
  • Foster Care
  • Giveaways
  • Guest Posts
  • Home
  • Homeschooling
  • Kid Activities
  • Kid Craft
  • My Heart
  • Our Outings
  • Project Spotlight
  • Send Out Love
  • Shop
  • Sponsored Posts
  • Spoonful Lab
  • Spoonful Tribe
  • Tips + Tricks
  • Traveling
  • Uncategorized
  • Vlog

Favorite Categories

Subscribe for Weekly Updates!

Favorite Categories

© 2023 Spoonful of Imagination, Inc.