1 year and 160 posts later...

Today marks one year that I have had my blog of inspiration, observation and discovery running. Ode to my first post, I have posted another page from the same book, Collect Raindrops, that features the word/idea of "radiate" {first post appropriately highlighted the word/idea "embark"}. Just like the raindrops in the illustration {which also represents today's precipitous weather}, "radiate" evokes the idea that something little {an object, an action, a meeting, a passing-on-the-street} can turn into something bigger and influential in our lives. In a time when there is a lot of uncertainty, but when we are also whole-heartedly anticipating positive change, I thought it was an appropriate word that captures the feeling of now.
In President Obama's inauguration speech, my favorite part {or most memorable to me} was this:

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths.

This led to him encouraging us as individuals to be part of the cooperative group to progress forward and to repair what is broken. If we let the best parts of ourselves shine and radiate outwards, it's a step towards the better...and I hope to do so myself in the upcoming year {and beyond that}.

More than just at a personal level, I hope to apply this at a professional level to my Studio TOTA - that depends on my work as a designer but also on the group collaborative effort with clients and vendors. Perhaps it's a bit more ambiguous to be "patriotic" as a designer, but I will strive to instill the values listed above to my work, my relationships with clients, my managing of my business...
And as a special shout out to the value of "curiosity," I hope to continue to share my finds and discoveries {sponsored by my curiosity} through new york city, work, the wonderful world wide web, travels, that all influence what makes me be me and my studio be my studio. All in all, I look forward to all the growing opportunities to come to me and my studio - and I'll be sure to keep you posted on it =)...