What I Learned in 2019

Hi everyone and welcome back to another Reflection Week post on the Chrissie Murphy Designs Blog. Tonight I’m reflecting on what I learned in 2019. I think there are opportunities presented to every one of us, every day, to learn. I like to capture my big ticket learnings at the end of each year as it really helps to drive home how much growth has happened during the year.

A disclaimer if I may…. many of these learnings may be “doh!” kind of things to you and that’s ok. For me though, they were things I needed to learn, by experience, for myself. People can tell you this stuff til they’re blue in the face, but unless you go on to experience it for yourself, it’s often meaningless. I’m grateful for these lessons from the Great Teacher this year, so let’s get into it and have a look at what I’ve learned in 2019.

With God, if you lose yourself, you find your real self…

I felt like I had to let go of quite a few things this year and at times I felt like I was losing a sense of myself. But I’m here to tell you that after doing so, I’ve found my true self. What I lost, He made up with in leading me to authenticity, truth, purpose and calling.

I don’t need as much as what I thought I did…

After buying a second house this year, my personal spending budget was severely clipped. I don’t have the money I once had to spend at a whim. It’s been great because it’s shown me some things….

For example, it’s taught me that I can live with one pair of shoes and no one treats me any differently!! Yes, unbelievable I know!! But this is something I really needed to learn by experience for myself. I have learned that people see and treat you for who you are, not what you have. I was living deceived, believing I needed all the things, but now I see the truth and I’m grateful.

I’m a Reflective Artist

I purchased Matt Tommey’s book, “Unlocking the Heart of the Artist” this year and after working my way through it, I learned that I am a Reflective Artist. What’s that you ask? Well, I see it as an artist who reflects on things of God. Then when I’m finished, I reflect what I learned in my art and in a weekly reflection on the blog…. so much reflecting hey!!! Is it any wonder I settled on the term, Reflective Artist.

I’m much stronger mentally and spiritually then I realised…

I’ve had a few different situations this year that I found really testing. Out of it though, I’ve come away with an understanding that I’m much stronger, both mentally and spiritually, then I thought I was. This is a good thing!

Revisiting old art supplies is worthwhile

I’ve shared on the blog a few times about my love of Derwent Inktense pencils (read about my Roadtest here…). This wouldn’t have happened though if I hadn’t of revisited using them. You see, I’ve had a small set of Derwent Inktense pencils for years, but I hadn’t been using them. After 5 years or so, I tried using them again and I absolutely FELL IN LOVE!

I’ve learned that revisiting old art supplies is super worthwhile when you’ve grown as an artist, because you see the tool differently and you produce better results with them. What frustrated you years ago, may just excite you today.

I might not get an answer to some things

My journey with 11:11 continues. For a year and a half now, I have been seeing the number pattern of four ones (aka 1111). I see it on my phone (that’s the screenshot below), in my car, on my pc, on ticket stubs, on ovens and on dockets…. everywhere. I believe the Lord is trying to speak to me. A year ago I received some revelation from the Lord about it, and the message associated with that revelation came to pass.

Yet here I am a year later and the number pattern is as strong as it ever was, it’s still really prevalent in my life. Despite lots of prayer and study, I still have no idea what the Lord has been trying to reveal in the last year. I believe that whatever it is, it’s increasing in urgency due to the prevalence at which I’m encountering it.

Having said that, I’ve learned that I might not get an answer to this any time soon and I’ve got to be ok with that. It’s in God’s time, not mine…. Perhaps it’s patience He’s showing me.

Dry your feet properly when you hop out of the shower

A painful lesson… twice I’ve fallen this year after walking out of the bathroom with feet I never dried properly after showering! Near enough is not good enough when you have polished floor tiles! I’ve learned yo feet gotta be bone dry!

Contentment happens when you’re being authentically you

Trying to be something you’re not is exhausting. Trying to fit yourself into a mould that’s meant for others is not comfortable either. I hadn’t realised I was trying so hard to be someone I was never called to be. This year that was made known to me, and giving up this pursuit has been the best thing I could do for my mental and spiritual wellbeing. Contentment happens when you’re being authentically you.

This is what I learned in 2019

This is what I took home this year, the things I’ve come away grateful to have learned. What was the biggest thing you learned this year? There’s a Chinese proverb that says,

“Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”

Chinese Proverb

Growing, however slow, is always worthwhile. It says “we may not be where we want to be, but at least we’re not where we used to be.” Learning is always growth. I pray you’ve had a year where you’ve learned a thing or two from the Great Teacher. If you did, leave a comment below and share with us one thing you learned this year.

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Until next time, listen to your heart and sharpen your coloured pencils. A masterpiece awaits!

Bless you my friend

Chrissie xx