Encouragement for the Road
Peering around the nooks and crannies of the Finding Water group this week, I noticed that some of us are struggling a little bit. Me too! This is actually quite normal. If you're like me, you start up a project all gung-ho and then a little time passes and it's not new anymore and it takes some extra motivation to do the work. Here's the thing, it's easy to give up. But here in this uneasy space is where you build your self-trust by following through with the commitment you made to yourself at the beginning of this journey. It's fine to fall, we all do from time to time, but we can get up and we feel better when we do. It's worth it. If you feel guilty over what you haven't done, let that go and give yourself credit for what you have done and then get back to it. I know beating myself up can sometimes freeze me in place. There's no need for that. We're all human beings here, perfectly imperfect beings. I'm sending loads of love out to each of you. I've been so inspired by the creative souls in this group. Be sure to keep checkin' in on your fellow FW-ers. I bet you will be inspired by the stories you read.
This week's "Uncovering a Sense of Balance" feels perfectly timed as I'm feeling the need for some balance along with a greater sense of the big picture. It's easy for me to get caught up in the details of the big changes happening in my life. I want to take a big step back and take it one day at a time. As Julia Cameron says, "Easy does it." Part of this finding balance piece for me will be to infuse more art-making into my everyday. I know that the mood I'm in doesn't matter, but I've been letting it. This daily art doesn't always have to be something "finished", something to post, or even something good, just something where I'm moving my hand across the blank paper/canvas. Just a half hour per day. I'm taking that "Diving Rod" on page 85 to heart. I am willing to make art in the time that I have. Even though I haven't finished this full time job, there's no need to wait. So, even though I felt like I had a rough week, this is a big step for me. Thinking about this gives me a better feeling about my week. Perhaps, if you look back, you will see the steps (even if they are baby steps) you have taken. Don't discount them! Celebrate what you did accomplish instead of stressing over what you didn't.
You are doing beautifully, we all are, in our own perfectly imperfect way.
-Leah (Creative Every Day)
13 comments:
Thanks for the encouragement, Leah. It's good to remember that we just need to be willing to do our art in the time that we do have. So often I strive for perfection and always end up with disappointment when a gentle thought about myself will be much more effective.
Thanks. I needed to hear this.
I thought about it today and I'm going to keep moving forth with my class even if it means making a fool of myself. I have gotten so caught up in writing the BEST papers when what I need to do now is simply write A paper.
As for art every day, most of the sculptures I create take a month or more to complete so I am never finished in one session. I used to draw and paint and I always completed a piece in the time I spent working on it. Now, because of what I do and the medium I work in I have been forced into being more patient and working even when I am not felling particularly "inspired". Reading your post just made me realize this.
Thanks for such an uplifting post. I really needed that encouragement! I wasn't going to give up, but I just need to do a little better, especially in following through on my artist dates. Thanks again for doing this. The people on this journey are so amazing, talented and creative. It has been fun checking out everyones blogs!
This is a very encouraging post as are other artists in the group I have read. I've been finding week 3 a little difficult and was beating myself up about it (not literally!)but this post helped me understand that I need to praise myself for the things I have done, not tell myself off for the things I haven't.
Love to all xx
Hello :)
Tammy at Women Art Life nudged me in your direction and what a great blog! I'm just beginning week three and could definitely benefit from a "bit if community"
My blog ramblings are at: http://taexalia.blogspot.com/index.html
Bright Blessings!
Yes....celebrating our accomplishments such great advice....Thank you!
Leah, I love the encouraging entries both you and Jessie are writing on our Finding Water page. I look forward to them at the start of each new week -
Hi ladies,
New to the blog here and was wondering if I could listen in and join.
I'm just starting week 2 now and it seems that Thursdays are my best days to begin the week.
Would you please let me know what the next step might be to join. I do have a blog http://www.lonecrowart.blogspot.com could I be put on the list?
Thanks and I'm going to go back and re read entries here.
Thanks for giving me some perspective on this, Leah.
Hope you have a wonderful creative week!
Thanks Leah. As usual you have the perfect words to reassure us all, bless you :) Week 3 was a toughie, I think, but I'm looking forward to working on restoring the balance this week!
I do hope you are right!!!
Bless you.
Leah, thanks for this beautiful post. I have been fighting to find the balance with all things in my life. I'm a true Libra in that sense. For such a long time, I've had all of those stops and starts with my creativity. Finally, it feels like something is coming together. Even though I feel so productive in this moment, I still face different challenges of how to find the time to get it done. I try not to put too much pressure on myself and make things when I can. Hopefully it will all come in to place in it's own way and time :) Happy Monday!
Thanks so much for this.
Just reading it is helping me through a rough transition.
Your writing is always an inspiration.
Bless you!
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