☆ 10 Years ago [A Year of Bravery]

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It is ten years ago this week that Mr Mac and I bravely packed up our life for a 'mature age' gap year.

Ten years ago we were living a life that we 'thought' we wanted.

But I hated my job. I hated that none of my friends lived near by. I hated that the only thing I could think to do on my weekends was go to the mall and spend more money I couldn't afford, on items that were supposed to make me happy. But didn't.

I was so unhappy.

One day I came home and told Mr Mac, we were going overseas for a year. And Mr Mac being the awesome man he is said 'ok'.

And the dream was born.

The reactions from family and friend was telling.  Some were behind us 100% and eager to discuss and contribute to our plans, but others were doubtful and thought we were just dreaming - we would never have the nerve to pack up and leave.

I was totally committed, and knew deep in my soul that this was right. But once we bought our tickets, I became doubtful.

I mean what was I doing? Who was I to jump of the hamster wheel? Why should I expect to be different? Why should I live my dream? (My inner bitch was in her element.)

But of course we went, we left on an adventure for a year and ended up being eight. And in those eight years the course of our life was changed. They changed me.

I became open to living a life that is authentic and honest. I realised that living a life that is imperfect and flawed, is one in which is full of joy and happiness.

So guess the point of my long and slightly rambling post, is to ask you to think about what if you were brave?

What if you were brave and you picked up that paint brush, opened the book, made that call, sent that email, took that risk, or wrote that first line?

What if your life changed beyond your imagination if you took that first step? I would love it if you shared your experiences below.

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☆ Life Lessons From Bean + Bug

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Have you taken the time to realise that the people closest to you are probably teaching you valuable life lessons? Take a moment to really think about it.... 

I am constantly surprised by the life lessons that I have learned from my girls. 

I had no idea that I would learn from them as much if not more that they are from me. I shouldn't have been surprised really!

This past month, Bean (the pink pirate) has been reminding me about bravery. About how to be brave even when you are scared witless.

About how to be brave despite being scared witless. 

And considering that my word for 2012 is 'bravery', [you can read why I chose this particular word here], it is a synchronistic reminder that I need to step up, and start being braver.

Bean has been through an ordeal this last month: her four year old injections, she's seen a doctor for an ear infection (and dealt with the ear drops that followed), had eye drops for gunky eyes, and is starting her first day of preschool tomorrow.

And she has resisted, and cried and run away (from the ear drops that is!), and decided she didn't want me to leave her behind, but in the end she has persevered and bravely faced each challenge head on.

I have also resisted, and cried and run away, from my challenges, and just like Bean I am trying to bravely face each one. But sometimes I need visual a reminder too. [I am after all a visual kinda girl.]

Lessoned Learned. 

So did you think about it? And what did you discover? I would love it if you shared your story! 

By the way - did you know that Septembers FREE GIVE AWAY is open for entries? It is so easy to enter - JUST CLICK HERE

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☆ Life Book 2012 [week one]

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Goddess of Bravery
©2012 Kirstin McCulloch

Week one of Tam's Life Book 2012 had us claiming our goddess super powers, and so, in fitting with my year of being brave, I decided to make mine a goddess of bravery.

I gave her a tiger mask, as tigers are an animal symbol of bravery. And it wasn't until after I finished the painting I realised how synchronistic this painting had become!

(Some of you may recall a post late last year in response to an Illustration Friday prompt regarding fear, where I talked about my stuffed tiger tiffee, who I would clutch to my side when I needed some bravery. )

I think I'm going to make my own a tiger mask that I can wear when I need a little boost. As well as dig out Tiffee tiger out from under my mums house and put her somewhere to remind me to be brave!

So, anyway, back to Life Book, I have a whole year of creating and learning from so many fantastic artists, a year of exploring new techniques and different styles.

I know it's only week one, but it felt so good to be creatively learning, I totally enjoyed Tam's Mythical, Magical course last year, and I credit it for beginning the evolution of my art to where I am today.

I wonder where my art will have evolved to in a years time?

Are any of you on the life book journey? What are you loving at the moment? 

 P.S. Have you seen my very first give away? All you have to do is leave a comment on this post...

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☆ A Belated ATC Exchange Reveal

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This week has seen a huge amount of work being completed.

*New paintings (can't wait to show you this one in particular - in my opinion one of my best yet!)

*I have up a new face book fan page, 

*I am part way through a redesign for Listening to the Squeak, 

*Lifebook 2012 started (so. much. fun and its not too late to join!) and 

*I am half way through my submission for Inspiration Avenue's Damask Challenge 

But I have been meaning to share these ATC's with you before the start of 2012, but in the frantic lead up to christmas, lots of planning and reflection around the new year, and the start of Lifebook this week, they we lost for a wee bit.

Last months ATC exchange on willowing was baby animals. Too cute! And I had the fabulous Kyles from Blissful Pumpkin as my partner so I was very excited to receive mine!

Anyway here are the cards I sent to her.

Girraffeling
©2012 Kirstin McCulloch

Unicorn in Training
©2012 Kirstin McCulloch

This months challenge is lady bugs and I am very excited about this one as my youngest was called Lady Bug, and now just Bug, since I first found out I was pregnant with her.

I have another huge week ahead planned, including, as part of my year of bravery, a new monthly give away, and the next life book class.

Have a great weekend

☆•*¨*•.¸¸

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☆ 2012 - the Year of Bravery

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Do you have a word that you connect to? A word that speaks to your soul, a word that becomes a part of your daily living?

Last year I was inspired by Ali Edwards and her One Little Word for 2011. Last year the word that was in my mind was intent. But it was a word that didn't sit comfortably with me. It was a word that was to describe my 2011 dreams, and intent was a good word, but I think it was to broad.

This years word was different. This year I knew the word for 2012 before the end of November.

This year is the year of bravery.

Let me share with you a little story. (ok so its not so little)

I was out for a walk one afternoon, listening to my ipod, when my mind began to wander, and I began reminiscing. When Mr Mac and I were in our mid 20's we took what we called a mature age gap year. Scrimping and saving, then quitting our jobs, storing our possessions, and selling our cars, we booked our 'round the world tickets and took off for Europe.

As I was reminiscing, I marvelled at how brave we were to do that, to go on our grand adventure and laughing at how naive we were. We travelled mostly in Eastern Europe and we didn't have a clue what the next day would bring us, what new adventure, and we probably, in our naivety ended up in some very dodgy places.

But for six months, we didn't have a plan, except to go where ever, do whatever and see what we wanted. Now I know that many people have done this before us, but for us it was a huge leap of faith and bravery.

So, (and yes I am going somewhere with this), as I am congratulating myself on this act of bravery that changed the course of our lives, I realised two things, firstly that it was exactly ten years ago this year that we left, and secondly that when I moved back home from Scotland, I started to slide back into the way I had been before we went overseas.

Yes I was creating, and painting that's not what I mean, I was playing it safe and I was starting to fall into a rut.

The year of Bravery is inspired by life and all the crap from last year, inspired by the other amazing artists out there, and inspired by the support and concern of you guys, I am going to spend 2012 being brave.

So do you have a word that you've connected to? That inspires you? That pushes you? I would love to hear if you are inspired by a word and how you came to choose it?

☆•*¨*•.¸¸

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