Personalizing Calendars

Each of us have our individual rituals throughout the year that add meaning to our days and acknowledge the changes that are part of living. Some of enjoying life fully is recognizing such moments and savoring them.

For me, one of these times is finding new calendars. Sometimes I feel a little sad to let one go that was especially enjoyable for the previous year, but there is always my feeling the new one will be providing different inspirations. It feels so clean to tack up January with no notations on the days-- a year ahead with who knows what lying in store.

Each month, as it changes over to a new picture, is somewhat the same. If I don't like that particular image-- or month-- I know it's not going to last forever.

Generally I begin to look for a calendar sometime in October, but this year I was in no mood for it. I glanced at a few when in stores but didn't actually buy Wolves until the last week of '06.

In her blog, Sacred Ordinary , Fran wrote 'Making a Soul Collage Calendar' about using her soul cards as inspiration for creating her own 2007 calendar, which I thought sounded like a terrific idea. One year I received a calendar made by a family member using the previous year's photos. I enjoyed the personal nature of it all year. One of the great things about the computer is all the ways it can be used.

Last year I had read about a group of Montana women who, inspired by others who had done the same thing, were selling a fund raising calendar. 'I See By Your Outfit' benefited their local performing arts center. I loved their concept of wild women and enjoyed the humor of that calendar all year.

Maybe next year I'll make my own wild woman calendar... or maybe not.