Stepping into the "New" Creates Wonder

My roommate and I just finished decorating our house for Christmas. It's our 2nd Christmas living together and I have to say that this year feels more like home. Everything has a place to go in the house and it feels like we now have a bit of a tradition.

I absolutely love traditions. Knowing that I always have something or someone to fall back on simply makes my heart smile. And quite frankly, it might just be my favorite part about holidays. Of course I love a gift or two =) but the comfort of tradition trumps any sort of gift in my book.

This cozy feeling of the holidays surrounding me in full-force today helps me to easily paint the picture of my answer to today's #reverb10 topic:

December 4th: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

For me, cultivating a sense of wonder in my life is about creating experiences that are new, uncomfortable, and surprising. Earlier this year, I read the book, The Artist's Way. The book focuses on helping you find a deeper meaning and connection with your creative journey. I was first intrigued by this book after I became a full time graphic designer and I realized how quickly my creative juices could dwindle down. I really enjoyed this book because it helped shine a new light to my creativity. I was asked to answer questions that once had never crossed my mind (and that were quite difficult to be honest). I was also asked to take myself on a date every week to a new place and to breathe in new things, feelings, surrounds, etc.

At first, I kinda thought the whole concept was silly - take myself on a date? But once I realized that I've had plenty of "me" time in the past and after the first couple of dates occured, I realized that this was the perfect way to continue to create wonder in my life - To go to places I had never been to instead of the same old same old, to try new recipes/desserts, to try a new kind of exercise (Jillian Michaels is kicking my butt this month!), etc... I realize those are ways that I create wonder in my everyday life and I hope to continue to create this sense of wonder as I head into 2011.