Blessings Friday: Focus in 2008

Yesterday, Cherry’s post at Tales from Pixie Wood blog really resonated with me. She shared the “shift in hearts, minds, attitudes and opinions” taking place in her life.



Cherry talked about “focus,” a word my husband and I discussed last weekend as our enthusiasm for finding blessings in life has us frequently spreading ourselves too thin which kind of misses the point, doesn’t it? We are working on a concrete list of things on which to focus during 2008, both together and individually.

My craft room has a lot of stash stocked for gifts, home, and charitable efforts projects that will carry me through the year—how scary is that? Inspired by everyone else’s creativity, new projects are constantly added. To control this, I’m using Joni's organizational tool to manage those ideas I want to try later.

I am limiting my activities this year to give me the time needed to achieve my goals. In addition to my stockpiled projects, the following are my creative commitments thus far in 2008:

Junie Moon Bandage Brigade—this endeavor ends this month (I hope to host another one next year).

Finn and Donk’s Sewing Adventure—a year-long sewing effort.

Comforting Cathy Shawl—a group effort to which I’ll be adding my rows of knitting along with a prayer ribbon.

The Flat Stanley World Tour Project—I am excited about helping Angie’s (Norththreads) daughter’s schoolmates as I think this is a wonderful educational experience for the kids.

Cancelled Stamp Collection—I’m saving stamps for two little boys in Germany who are learning about stamp collecting. I almost have enough to send to them.

Coaster Swap—described below.

Photo Swap—described below.

Club Little House—I have no idea if this will even occur but I’m saving time for it just in case Amy hosts it again.

Kristie’s Christmas CD Swap—again, not officially scheduled, but I hope Kristie invites me again.

Some charitable projects are also on my calendar and I’m watching for one other swap in case it occurs, but this is pretty much it for my 2008 scheduling. Don’t you think all this is enough? I do.

My focus will be on home, heart, mind, body, and spirit this year. That sounds vague but I do have specific things to accomplish in each area.

Coaster Swap


Little sets of coasters (4 per set) I made last year for a Special Olympics fund raiser

Amy at Ibby Bee is our swap creator. Since coaster sets are on my to-do list anyway, this will help me focus on not only my swap offering but the gift sets I need to make.

Photo Swap

Megan at The Scent of Water created this idea. I love the whole concept as taking and subsequently sharing a beautiful photograph is an act of using all of your senses.



I’m pretty bad about finding time to just relax—I’m on the go about 20 hours a day, 7 days a week until I end up sick or something; so this “focusing” endeavor is proving a blessing already. It’s a relief to have a plan; now I just have to “work” the plan.

Hugs to all of you—have a fantastic and very blessed weekend!