Commitment
“a promise or firm decision to do something”
Probably the biggest commitments we tend to overlook are the commitments we make to ourselves…at least that’s what I have found for myself. Because I still have some residual co-dependency issues, being committed to doing something for other people is a much easier promise to keep. But for me, personally, I tend to make concessions like “oh, I can do that next week” or “no one will care if I do this or not” or “I don’t have to do this right now”.
That being said, I’m realizing right now that I’m actually more committed to doing things than I thought. For instance: earning a BA degree in Music Education, earning a BS degree (going to night school) in Computer Science, coming up on 34 years married (2nd marriage), and I’m committed to my life (it was a bit iffy back when I was about 18yo—I thank the powers that be for bringing me through that heavy period of my life), leading community art projects, operating a my own store front for two years, and so.
My strongest commitments appear to be towards my art and readings. For instance, I’ve committed myself to doing some form of mandala every day for the last 2.5 years and still going (this blog site)…along with one a week, one a month, and one a year (technically it’s one section a month). I’ve also committed myself to upping my skill level in all areas of what I do, so that I’m better prepared for the bigger, better opportunities coming my way. Then there’s this long-term project of creating 7 large (4’x4’) Archangel Mandala paintings that I started in 2015–two done, 5 more to go…I already have the panel ready to go for the third one.
Right now, this year, I’m committed to two things: 1) completing my journey into joy (see this year’s mandalas of the month and mandalas of the week), and 2) putting myself out in the world more through doing more fairs, social media, group zoom sessions, and so on.
One thing that has helped me of late is a simple-to-me project management system using just a small notepad. In a nutshell: on saturday mornings I right down everything I would like to get done the upcoming week (sat-fri). Then each day (the night before or that morning), I list eight things from the weekly list that I want to work on that day. Most days I complete all eight…some days I complete 6-7…and that’s okay, I’m still 6 or 7 steps ahead than I would be otherwise.
It’s all good because I know, for me, without this system I’m operating mostly in default mode and then wondering at the end of the day “what did I do today?”. With this system, I know what needs to be done, I can readily see it (without the distractions of going on my phone or ipad), and it helps keep me accountable to my commitments. And believe or not…I love it! My only challenge is keeping my inner critic in check if I did less than 8 things that day.
How about you? Is commitment a core value for you?
BTW…here’s what it looked like to begin with…
joyfully,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
inspiring and encouraging creativity, curiosity, and play through the art of mandalas
About the 2024 Mandalas of the Day
Each day I will create and post a mandala inspired by one of 366 “value” words chosen randomly. The objective being to discover for myself which ones would best represent my core values…and by doing so, I hope it inspires you to determine your own.
Mandala of the Day 