Hi Everyone,
Today was a really special day for me… not only did I get the final proof of the new book to review (Yippee!!!), but I celebrated a special anniversary. Three years ago, on December 19th, I had a spinal fusion. Before the surgery I could only stand up for a few seconds without being in pain… I walked with a cane and seldom went anywhere that wasn’t absolutely necessary. The supermarket was manageable, because supermarkets have motorized scooters. But the mall was out of the question, and so were two of my favorite stores: Barnes & Noble and Michaels.
My doctor said that one of the best things I could to during my recovery was to walk. And so, after my surgery, I started my new habit of daily walks. At first I needed a walker, and wasn’t even able to walk a block. But as the weeks went on, and I grew stronger, I starter walking for longer and longer periods. And, much to my surprise, I discovered I liked it! In 2014 my brother gave me the best holiday gift I’ve ever gotten– a Fitbit. The Fitbit allows me to track how many steps I walk each day, and how many hours I sleep each night. By mid 2015 I was regularly walking 10,000 steps and now consider myself a dedicated ‘step-a-holic’. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to walk, and consider it a privilege to be doing 10,000 steps a day.
One of the things I like best about my walks, is getting a chance to see nature close up. I often take photos of things which interest me, and occasionally use them as reference for drawings. I’ve developed quite a collection of flowers:
Ducklings:
and birds in flight:
But over the past 18 months, I’ve probably taken more photos of the majestic Sandhill Cranes than anything else. I have yet to get a really good shot, but I keep trying!
In addition to admiring and photographing nature, I often spend my walk time either catching up with friends, or simply in reflection.
Making the commitment to walk 10,000 steps a day has been life-changing for me, and I want to invite you to join me in my quest for steps! If there is enough interest, I’d be happy to facilitate ‘walking-buddies’– someone from the Zenspirations® community that you can check in with, get support from, and help inspire. If you are a step-a-holic– or are thinking about becoming one– and would like to find a ‘walking-buddy’, please leave a comment letting me know.
Speaking of comments, thank you to the more than 100 people who voted on the Zenspirations 2017 Word of the Year. I’ve counted the votes (twice!), and the winner is:
Now that the new book is done, I’ll work on a design for everyone to use for our individual words of the year… this is what I did last year:
I’d love to see other ideas… if you have been working on one, please share it in the Zenspirations Create, Color, Pattern, Play Facebook Group. I’m planning to do a few examples of how to use the 2017 template, so if you leave a comment with your word for 2017 I may surprise you and include it in next week’s blog!
And in case you have any holiday lettering to do, I thought I’d share a page of holiday sayings, each written in a different style:
Before closing this week, I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays, and ask that you reach out to someone you know who lost a loved you this past year. To make it easier, I thought I’d share the Modern Widows Club’s Holiday Survival Tips:
Please download the mwc_tips_for_getting_through_the_holidays and share!
I also want to share another free download– of a Remembrance Angel– and you have your choice of a version that I colored, or a version you can color yourself. Here is an example of how the full color version would look when filled in. I made the one on the right is for my friend Regina Yoder, who co-authored my new book, Complete Guide to Bible Journaling: Creative Techniques to Express Your Faith. Gina’s mom died in February, and I thought this would be nice way to let people know it is okay to remember and talk about people we love who aren’t here to celebrate the holidays with us.
For those who like to color, I also made a colorable version:
Click here for the Black & White version: zenspirations_angel_download
Click here for the full color version.
zenspirations_by_joanne_fink_12_19_16_blog_remembrance_angel
Please share!
May you have a connective, creative & Zenspirational holiday!
Stay Zenspired,
Joanne
Comments are closed.
Hi Joanne!
How exciting, to be looking at the final proof on your book! So excited to see it! It’s so great to hear that your fusion was so successful. Although I did not have the same experience as you, regarding my fusion, I am trying to increase my walking every day. It does a lot for me emotionally, as well as physically. I think it increases the endorphins, which in turn helps with pain! A win-win!
I LOVE the flora and fauna pictures….I am constantly taking pictures of flowers, and downloading any unique flowers I find online! It is definitely my favorite subject matter, for art of any kind!
Because I like the acronym you came up with, for grace, I’ve decided to make that MY word for 2017!
Thank you for everything you do!
Sending love and hugs!
Mary Anne
Happy holidays to you. Love the angel. Would like to meet someone who walk too. Let me know.
Ok. Count me in for 10k steps a day. It will be a challenge for me, but when I see how you have been transformed ( including physically) I say….. you inspire. E. Xxx
you do such beautiful and expressive work, Joanne.
Joe Kight
Joanne, I just want to say a special THANK YOU for just being you! Your generosity in sharing your talents is overwhelming to me. I just LOVE the angel picture!! I hope to be able to color several in remembrance of some special people who I have lost. You are too kind!! <3 <3 <3
One of the best things I did was purchase a Fitbit Alta in March. I’m not quite up to 10,000 steps yet, but it has caused me to get up and away from my deskbound job once an hour, and to go out daily and walk for 30 minutes. Those moves pushed me to start eating much more heathfully, and I’ve lost almost 50 pounds since July (close to my goal of hitting that mark by Christmas — won’t make that, but it will be close!) And it did all start with a Fitbit.
[BTW: I found your Design Originals mini coloring book and it’s stashed away to work on after the holidays!]
Have not yet determined a word of the year for 2017 yet but I look forward to seeing what other folk have come up with!
Joanne thank you for the many things you’ve shared with us today. You’ve blessed us with a lot of inspiration. I’m proud of you for all the advances you have made personally, physically, emotionally, and your creativity. I, too, suffer from physical pain due to four ruptured discs. Now I developed Mortens Neuroma and it’s painful to walk. My son bought me a Fitbit and my goal is to try to become more active somehow in the new year. At this time I can’t commit to partnering with someone but maybe I can instead do chair exercises or steps via a stationary bike. Mostly I want to just say thank you for being such a great inspiration and I just might go ahead and have a surgery that helps me start a walking regime once again. I love Angels, have over 200 in my collection so man thanks for the free download. Enjoy your holidays❤️
I didn’t know about your surgery– so happy to see your health restored! what a blessing!
Joanne thank you for the many things you’ve shared with us today. You’ve blessed us with a lot of inspiration. I’m proud of you for all the advances you have made personally, physically, emotionally, and your creativity. I, too, suffer from physical pain due to four ruptured discs. Now I developed Mortens Neuroma and it’s painful to walk. My son bought me a Fitbit and my goal is to try to become more active somehow in the new year. At this time I can’t commit to partnering with someone but maybe I can instead do chair exercises or steps via a stationary bike. Mostly I want to just say thank you for being such a great inspiration and I just might go ahead and have a surgery that helps me start a walking regime once again. I love Angels, have over 200 in my collection so many thanks for the free download. Enjoy your holidays❤️
I would love to be included in the 10,000 steps a day program. Thank you.
Joanne, you do Zenspire me! May you have a Zenspirational New Year!
I absolutely loved what you had to say! I retired a year ago and put some weight on. I am going to become your walking buddy and count my steps! I love your art!!!❤️
Thank you Joanne. My Mom died 5 years ago, and today is her birthday. Remembrance indeed.
How can I get a copy of your Holiday Survivor Tips. I am co-teaching a program called Powerful Tools for Caregivers and would like to be able to share it with my classes. Is there a way to do so?
I’d love to join you in your quest for steps journey and would love a Zen buddy.
Hi Joanne, you and I have discussed our gratitude about our ability to walk. I had to relearn how to walk after surgery to remove a spinal cord tumor in 2006, and was introduced to my Fitbit by a fellow SCT survivor almost 4 years ago. Although I’ve worn my Fitbit daily, lately I’ve found myself getting less motivated to reach my 10,000 step goal. I’ve been battling weight gain, so I’m interested in a Fitbit buddy that can help motivate me to hit my step goal daily, not just on the days I make it to the Y.
I think my word of the year will be kindness.
Thanks for your inspiration!!
I really “hope” to join in more in the new year Joanne! Your photos are wonderful from your walks…such a good way of staying fit.Gorgeous Christmas words. Wishing you and your a happy holiday time and thank you for everything you do…you are such an inspiration. Hugs xxx
Joanne,
I am sorry that I didn’t know about your surgery! I am glad that it was successful! Walking is something I definitely love to do, but in winter weather it is not easy. So the number of steps I accumulate is not usually close to 10,000. In good weather I walk around the park 3 -4 times and that usually helps.
Love your floral and crane pictures!
If you have time can you write some Chanukah greetings? Thanks
Have a happy Chanukah Joanne and a healthy and beautiful New Year!!
Janice
Thank you Joanne, I love those Angels and you story of inspiration.. So happy to hear how well you have recovered.
Hope is a beautiful word for the group, put for my own word for the year. I think I will go with Align. I would like to align myself consciously with my higher purpose. ( and my angels) I would like to stay in the flow of the positive and not get bogged down with negativity despite, pain, loss, or crushing responsibility. You story helps me see how this is possible . When one aligns oneself with ones soul’s intention creativity flows and healing can happen. Happy holidays to you and the entire group!
Anyone in for 8,000 steps a day to start with the goal to get to 10,000? I too have had some not fun surgery – mitral valve repair – so some days are better than others. Like the idea of a buddy. Love my Fitbit btw. Joanne, thanks for all that you do for us and mankind. Keep walking everybody!!
I would love to be your step buddy! I was doing the 10,000 steps this summer, but hurt my knee and had surgery so I haven’t been walking as much. Now I’m healed up and ready to start moving again. Congratulations on such a great year with Zenspirations! You are an inspiration to all of us! Blessings!
Hope, sometimes it’s all I have. Thank you Joanne…..much love
Hey ! It is great to know that you are a step-o-holic. I had decided to complete 6000 steps during my morning walk when I came to California. But I have not been going for walk due to cold here…as soon as the cold weather is a bit tolerable for me, I will resume 🙂 Merry Christmas Joanne.
Hi. I am interested in the 10K steps per day. This will be a new beginning for me since hip replacement. Thank you, Joanne.
Hi. I am very interested in the 10K steps. Thank you, Joanne.
I feel hopeless in the fact the most steps I get in are 5,000 and that’s an effort! Thank you though for all the encouragement and downloads to some of the most beautiful art. I’ll keep trying for 10,000 steps.
I just love your posts! So uplifting and inspirational. We share a love of photographing nature!! I’m going to try and start getting 10,000 steps a day in too. When I get going maybe I will look for a partner. Please keep up the good words and art! Love it.