Creative Reinvention

"There is a fountain of youth - it is your mind, your talents, and the creativity you bring to life and the lives of people you love."
- Sophia Loren

Creativity means everything to me. It is spiritual, and essential, and wonderful. It has kept me going in times of need. During the most difficult times of my life, the single greatest gift that I have had is the ability to envision greater possibilities. "Without vision, the people perish." is from the biblical Proverbs and I believe it to be true. Dreamers are, have and always will be the creators of our future worlds. Dreamers make the world go round. From the Wright brothers to the Ipod, it all starts with a dream.

Unfortunately, life in this modern society does not always prioritize creativity at the top of the list (unless it's for the sake of commerce). Although, I am not very big on traditional New Year's Resolutions, I like to think of it as a time to re-evaluate, redefine and organize. I am redefining this as the "Year of Creative Reinvention." I am determined to get more creativity at the top of the list, because I want it at the top of Nova's list. It has been sadly lacking in my life as I have been focusing much of my energy on becoming a new parent and a financially responsible adult. (At least compared to my previously financially irresponsible self).

2005 brought many milestones. It was my first full year of being a mom. Aaron and I both celebrated our 35th birthdays. We celebrated our third wedding anniversary. We celebrated Nova's first birthday. We also took her on her first cross-country roadtrip from CA to Illinois. It was the sixth trip for us. She did amazingly well! My sister flew out to CA twice (for my birthday and for Nova's) Unfortunately, there was sadness as well. The year started off horribly as Aaron's Nana passed away suddenly. In October, I had to leave Nova with Aaron for three days to fly back home when my dear Aunt Delores passed away. But how can we know joy if we never feel sorrow?

All in all, it was an amazing year! I think we have done a great job adjusting to life with baby! We have also done a great job establishing a solid daily routine and getting Nova to sleep though the night (usually). Of course, new challenges arise daily, as I'm sure they will for the next eighteen years. I have occasional meltdowns or moments of fearful worry of the future. Mostly, I know that Nova seems happy 98% of the time, we are doing the best that we can and we have a lot of love to give.

Now that I have some confidence with my parenting abilities, it is time for me to reinvent myself even further. What type of mother do I want to be? (beyond competent). What image of myself do I want to present to her? Obviously, there are things I would like to improve (like the occasional curse that still slips out in traffic). I do my best when I have a clear vision in my mind of what I would like to be. My goal this year is to develop a bigger, better vision of my new "mommy-self". Creative, loving earth-mother? Confident, determined esteem-builder? Active and fun joy-provider? All excellent visions to strive for.

Since New Years Eve, I have been thinking about these two separate aspirations and I keep coming up with the notion of "creative reinvention" and that is when I serendipitously stumbled upon the Sophia Loren quote. What ideas does "creative reinvention" stir up for you?