Wednesday, January 5, 2011

On Your Mark...Get Set...



I started 2010 with a plan. My theme color was orange, and my motto was Do The Next Thing inspired by Elisabeth Elliot’s poem of the same name.  

It was great.

However, as 2010 wound to a close, I found myself with neither color nor theme nor inspiration for the coming year. I have decided that being without inspiration is just about one of the worst places to be. 

What to do...

I considered all options on the color wheel. Since pink is my official favorite color, it seemed a logical choice. I even auditioned several shades of pink to shake things up a bit. I tried out magenta. I tossed around fuchsia. (It’s probably no surprise that I tend to gravitate toward the hot shades.)  My daughters thought that I had settled on raspberry and were surprised on New Year’s Day when I revealed that it, too, had been tossed in the reject pile.

I gave myself a deadline of January 5th to work this color theme out because I’m odd like that.

And then yesterday morning,  it just sort of hit me. And folks, when you know… you just know.  I could hardly wait to wake the girls and tell them.  I’m sure they could hardly sleep for the want of knowing.

My theme color this year is green.
Not sage or emerald or mint.
Just simply green.

I chose it because
green means GO.  



See, I’m a lousy gardener with a legendary brown thumb, but even I know that you stunt growth when you refuse to pull up weeds, thin out plants, and lop off the dead heads.

I have a lot of dead heads around here, 
and they need to go. 

In this post, I set a deadline of December 18th 2011 to use or lose some inventory lying dormant in my nooks and crannies.  I’ll yak about plans and progress at a later time, but for now, I’ll just say that after a full year, I’m finally ready for some of it to just go.

As in
Out. The. Door.

Some intangibles need to go as well. You see, the husband and I are the ultimate Cling Ons. We cling to toxic situations and even relationships long past their expiration dates. With very little encouragement, we can even deceive ourselves into calling it being “steadfast”.

As if…

We gnaw away like dogs on bones, often getting so consumed with our gnarling that we ignore the Hand that’s trying to feed us.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe God won’t fix what’s broken because He really just wants us to let go?  

If I’m reluctant to step away, I’m downright remedial when it comes to stepping out. Oh, I’m a well documented adventure seeker.  It’s just that those adventures never step too far out of the box or off the beaten path.

‘Cause I’m a scaredy cat, you know…

So this year, I will go.

Of course, the fact that I have no clue where it is I’m supposed to be going is a bit of a problem, but work with me here. I only know that I am determined to step out of my comfort zone to try that which is uncomfortable or even a little scary.

Maybe even carrots.  

And once I do, I hope see some new growth around here which, coincidentally, is also represented by the color green.  
See how it all ties in together? 
2011...
The year of green.


Go Debbie...
Go Debbie...
Go Debbie...


28 comments:

The Charm of Home said...

Debbie,
Such a good color and such a good motto. Green is also calming on the color spectrum so maybe it will allow you some comfort as you venture forth. My whole blog has been a stretch out of a comfort zone. It is a lot easier because I often use words or pictures and no face to face meetings. I am a picture person, the whole blog could be pictures and no words and I would be happy, but then it would be confusing. Sorta like how I confused you with the teddy...LOL I love your words, you are so funny and you inspire with your comedy. So go forth and be green.
Your friend,
Sherry

Denise said...

Go Debbie Go. I'll happily join you in this race and I can't wait to see where it takes you. I didn't immediately think 'GO' for green but that's really a great word for green. I also thought maybe growth or giving (money really... but was looking for a "G" word?). GO is so much better because the possibilities are endless. Please keep us posted on your progress.

I truly adore your way of thinking.

Patty H. said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog! I so enjoy reading your posts, love your sense of humor.
Blessings
Patty H .

Jennie said...

Go [Mrs.] Debbie Go!!! Not that it's about me in any way, but I just wanted to say that I'm SO much happier with your choice of color this year. Green is a comfort to me while orange carries with it some sort of urgency. Maybe it's from being at "Threat Level Orange" or something? (Or more probable - I'm just crazy.)

At any rate, I wish you *much* success on this year's endeavors. I suspect the impending expiration date will urge you forward...if you're anything like me. :)

Happy, Happy New Year to you and the family! You are so precious to me!

Unknown said...

Go, go, go!! Terrific post Debbie. It will be interesting to see where 2011 takes you. Enjoy the journey :)

Blessings!
Gail

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

GO! GO! GO!
Blessings,
Bren

Angel said...

Hi Debbie! I'm right there with you and it so happens my favorite color is green! :)

Your post describes what I've been trying to say in several rambling posts of my own, only you say it much better and concisely. I too want to "step out of my comfort zone" in hopes of seeing some "new growth".

So, You go girl! And I'll be going green with you this year. I'm eager to see where we wind up.

bj said...

GO DEBBIE !!
I have my COLOR and my WORD for the new year.

And as far as "stepping out of my comfort zone", I STAY outside it, all the time. :)))
hugs, bj

Unknown said...

Wooo Hooooo!!! I love this color. Well, I liked the Raspberry, but green is good. It's the easiest on the eyes and it has so much meaning. Resting by green pastures, I'm sure you will figure out where you are to GO!!
xo
lynn

Vanessa said...

"Maybe God won't fix what's broken because He wants us to let it go"...Debbie this single phrase was like a dagger to my heart, brought tears to my eyes and made me realize how often I sink to martyr status in my life. "I will make this work, I will make this work!" I try and try at ideas and relationships that just weren't ever meant to be. Bless you, my friend, for sharing this Spirit given wisdom! I love this post so much and I think you have already been greatly used by God in 2011! :-)
Vanessa

Ann said...

I'm right there with you this year! Green for GO .... GO away all you little "ufo's" (un finished objects) ... you will be finished or gone! GO away all you little knick knacks that are no longer amusing but just taking space ... GO away all you clothes that aren't worn and don't need to be saved for ANY reason! .... GO to the consignment shop all ye excesses! Might as well MAKE a little GREEN on the side .... (speaking of which) GO to the sewing room and make some aprongs to sell on ETSY! (Knew you'd like that one ...)

LOVE the idea of 2011 being a GREEN year Debbie! Terrific idea!

Ann said...

How do you edit after you post here? Of course, you know it's APRONS ... I'm not sure what an "aprong" is ......

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I love it...it seems to go hand in hand with where I am going this year...well it kinda is an accent, and we all enjoy new accents in a room.
I love your writing (what a gift) so I am going to spend some time on your back post and learn.
Green...good color...I guess I have some new color themes and I hadn't thought of it...God gave them to me last year and they seem to be invading my whole house.

Go, Girl...I look forward to seeing where the GREEN light leads you.

saltbox
treasures
said...

Hi Debbie, enjoy your year of going green! Purging is a good thing; we are in the process of purging; really, how did we get so much stuff? I look forward to sharing the year with you and seeing where you "go". Happy New year!
~ Julie
p.s. I love that pic of your mom. Why is she called the duchess? She sounds like such a wonderful lady.

Kelli said...

As the Cat in the Hat says, "Go, go, go on an adventure! The thingamajigger is ready to go!" I think you're ready for the green adventure. GREEN is fabulous and my walls are waiting patiently for the green transformation to take place!!

Kelli said...

Also, your Ringing in of the NEW YEAR sounds very much like mine!!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I'm pulling for you, Debbie! You go, girl!

And I like the idea of green. Maybe I ought to take a bite off the same bone and stop gnawing on the ones I've been gnawing for so long. I hear you! I'm the same way, and I'm very stubborn about giving up on something, even though it's long past the giving up point. Now, that can be good or bad, but God should be the one who cries, "Uncle! Let go, girl!" Mr. Magpie is better about knowing when to quit chewing, and I need to take a page from his book. LOL! He's good that way.

Thanks for this gentle reminder, and I'm pulling for you and for me!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Lynn said...

Before you can take a step you have to choose a direction-and you've done that! I've never heard of picking a color for the new year before, might be something fun!
PS-carrots are nature's candy, give 'em a try, you'll love 'em:@)

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I just read the part about... Some intangibles need to go as well. You see, the husband and I are the ultimate Cling Ons. We cling to toxic situations and even relationships long past their expiration dates. With very little encouragement, we can even deceive ourselves into calling it being “steadfast”. ...

We both laughed out loud! Maybe every one of us are a whole lot more like each other than we even know!!

I'm all for the green light, and I'm also ready to move forward in some old, tired, learning it again areas!

One of my dad's favorite things to tell us when we were growing up is... "God unfolds His plans for us, as we listen and obey"... 'unfolding' is the way is usually works, so even if we don't know what this green light means, let's move forward and see what He unfolds!!

Amy Kinser said...

Go Debbie Go! I'm with you!!!

When you write your book, let me know, I want to buy it. :)

Kathleen said...

A colour eh? Green's a great choice, so full of meaning. I'll be watching with interest to see where it takes you. Hope you go all the way to wherever it is you're going! Now, I wonder if I need a colour too.

Sharon said...

I LOVE the color choice! Green is good (except on certain foods - but I'm not mentioning that - except I guess I just did...)

Back when I was a little girl (Jurassic Age), there was this guy on TV named Sheriff John. I'm not sure if he was national or just local. Anyway, to get kids to drink their milk, he would say "Green Light!" Then we'd drink until he said, "Red Light." I'm not going to mention what happened to the milk when Sheriff John got a little manic and said Red Light, Green Light a LITTLE too fast...

The point being this - Debbie...GREEN LIGHT!!! You GO!

This was my favorite line from this post: "Did you ever stop to think that maybe God won’t fix what’s broken because He really just wants us to let go?"

Oh my - powerfully convicting...

I picked a "word" as my theme for 2011 - it's on my sidebar. Hey, if you made me come over here to find out your color, you can come visit me to see my word. However, we once again are on the same "wavelength!"

GREEN LIGHT!!

GOD BLESS!

Donna said...

Hi, Debbie,
Best of luck on "going green" this year. I am going to get rid of some of my uneeded clutter and junk also.
D

CAL said...

Green was very appropriate choice and one you use here on your blog.
It is also the 4th Chakra, center of the chest.
Stimulates healing resulting in greater self love and thus love for others.Green symbolizes growth, abundance,prosperity and hope. Great choice my friend!

As always Debbie you seem to speak my thoughts and yes, I agree emotional investment in long expired relationships is something so many of us struggle with in our lives. Thank you for saying the words for us.

FrouFrouBritches said...

Great color choice. Green means go - so simple and yet I've never thought of it in that way. Green is my favorite color!!! My MIL always says green is God's favorite color too.

I, too, am a scaredy cat, so I feel your pain. Maybe I'll step out of the box along with you.

Chatty Crone said...

Green is my favorite color - especially kelly green. Green is earth - green is grounded - it is life - living - feelings - emotions - and more! sandie

Gayle said...

I'm sure I've told you this before, and I don't tell anybody this lightly--not ever--but you're a very gifted writer. If you aren't pursuing markets with your work, you should be. Start with local markets or go buy a "Writer's Market" and go from there. It's hard work, and lots of rejections may follow, but you have a gift. Let if shine.

Gayle said...

I meant... Let "it" shine. "If" can shine, too....if you want it to, of course.

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