One Little Word

[caption id="attachment_1725" align="alignleft" width="300"] Some of my favorite things I used to create in my art journal[/caption]

I'm so glad you stopped by! I hope you saw my post on instagram yesterday! It is a page from my art journal and is my inspiration for my blog today! (instagram: ruthiecarlson) I love posting things I'm working on in my studio or in my art journal on instagram. Feel free to find me and see what I do there! I also just added a "subscribe" button on my blog. It's on the right side of my blog under posts. I'd love it if you added your email and that way when I post it will come to your email! Thank you for following me! It means so much!!!

[caption id="attachment_1726" align="alignleft" width="300"] I love to use all kinds of paper when working in my art journal. Here I have book pages, bought paper, and paper I painted myself[/caption]

My very creative friend, Patti, sent me an email challenging me to think of "one little word." She found the challenge at http://oneword365.com/. The blogger challenged the reader to choose one word that inspires the way they live. In other words, focus on "being" the word.

I've been thinking about my word now for about three days. The blog also says not to over think the word. With that in mind, I looked over my list of words and decided to commit to one. My list was lengthy and had words like joy, courage, hope, and contentment. As I considered each word I kept coming back to one...Love. It's so much more than a smile at a stranger or a kiss goodnight. A perfect description can be found in the bible in 1Corinthians 13. (read it) It reminds me that love is patient and kind. It is not jealous or arrogant. Love never fails. In 1John 4:18 it says there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1John 4:7 says "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. Matthew 22:37-39 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

[caption id="attachment_1727" align="alignleft" width="300"] I started this journal page by cutting a head shape from book pages. I painted it with acrylic paints. Then with markers, paints, paper, and a little imagination I created a journal page to illustrate my one little word.[/caption]

The next step after choosing your word is "being" your word. I've thought about this a lot. I don't think you wake up and decide to be your word. It's a process that takes both time and effort.My journey to becoming "love" will begin with spending more time with the author and creator of love, God Almighty. I can hardly stand it thinking about spending more of my day in His presence and allowing Him to fill me up with Himself! This year, today, I want to know God more deeply and to become more like Him...and since He is "love", hopefully I can be "love" and you will be able to see Him in me.

[caption id="attachment_1729" align="alignleft" width="200"] My art journal[/caption]

So that's my word. I cant wait for love to spill out all over the place, in my family, with my  friends, in my art. What's your word? What will you be this year? Leave me a comment! I'd absolutely love to know your word!

love love love Ruthie