Be Willing to Start

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step."  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2011 Vision Board, ©Toni Ruppert

I'm starting 2011 with a bunch of written goals. Since my girls went back to school, I've been spending my mornings reading, thinking and writing. 

I'm starting this year journey without seeing the whole path.  After my birthday, Christmas Eve, I had the urge to start anew. To begin again.  Hence, my word for this year is reinvention.

I made another vision board which is pictured here.  I admit, I don’t have a clear path.
But, I’m willing to start.

to lead.
to see.
to voice.
to dance.
and make waves
with my art and with my life.

In his January 12th eulogy at the Tucson Memorial for the Tucson, Arizona shooting victims,  President Obama said, “We should do everything we can do to make sure this country lives up to its  children’s expectations.”

Chaos.  Domestic uncertainty. Poverty. Violence.  That’s what many youth have come to expect. On another twist, my 17 year old told me she expects nothing.  She doesn’t really know what to expect except Jesus’ return and death.

Should any of us just sit around waiting for death?

Just before my birthday Christmas Eve, my brother-in-law lost his mother, due to an unexpected illness.  As I joined my family and others in serving the repast dinner after the funeral, a thought occurred to me.  I thought I had never seen such love and togetherness as I’d seen that day.

I don’t want to have another death occur to experience that love and unity again.

Scripture tells us, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
My days are numbered.  In the end, I hope I will be found:

trusting.
serving.
loving.
creating.

With my brush, pen, palette, pencil and camera in hand I am willing to start.  Though I can’t see the whole 2011 path, I am willing to start.

Are you?