Butterfly Dream: I painted this one with Mom in mind

Inspiration is a funny thing sometimes.  Quite often, I feel inspired in the moments when I’m not free to act, like when I’m training a client or teaching yoga.  It can be elusive for me, but I wonder if that might be partly due to my approach.

I have a friend, a successful and prolific writer, who works in his office pretty much every day.  He keeps regular hours, long ones, and you can figure out he’s not busy writing the whole time.  But he shows up, he’s committed, and it has worked very well for him.

I am only able to create part time, in between all the other stuff I do to pay the bills.  Sometimes my working days are long and I am too tired to feel inspired to do anything other than enjoy a glass of wine and stare out the window.  While “down time” is considered healthy and necessary to creativity, my point is that I’m not always able to call on the spirit that moves when I have the time to act.

A wise friend recently reminded me, when I mentioned my conundrum, to put aside just one hour a day and show up.  The idea being routine works hand in hand with inspiration.  Whether I’m reading about other artists, doodling, painting, or just staring at my paintings, I’ve made the commitment to my creative self.

All this coincides with what I’m learning from Julia Cameron, author of “The Artist’s Way.”  I recommend her book to everyone and not just to artists in the traditional sense.  If you are willing, this book can: 1) give you fresh eyes; 2) bring clarity to the stuck bits in your life; 3) shine light on the dreams that have been shoved to the back of your hope closet.

Faerith: She’s a Faerie Warrior Princess - a work in progress

Serendipity and synchronicity happen a lot to me now.  Or, better said, I am more aware of them.  The example that inspired (ha!) this blog came from reading something in a Sunday New York Times.  I’m not sure which week it was, as I put aside what interests me, and read them when I have time. 

This particular issue is the Style Magazine titled “The Greats” and features successful people from all walks of life.  I ate this magazine up.  In fact, I started this letter to you immediately after finishing the last article about a world renown chef, Massimo Bottura.  

Except for Michele Obama and Lady Gaga, I didn’t know any of these people.  But I have fallen in love with this chef.  I want to be him.  Better said, reading about him has reminded me that I already am who he is. Under all of the me’s I present to the public, behind all of the ways I’ve learned to behave so I could fit in, I’m just like this guy.  And he’s a force - open, receptive, a yummy blend of eagerness, openness, and Pollyanna-positive.  Two speeds, basically - enthusiastic and asleep. 

He says, “Think expansively through exposure to music, art, even elegant home decor.”  Exposure is key for him.  His brain is always working, processing disparate bits and pieces into novel and surprising things. “Keep your mind open,” he says.  “Always keep a door open to the unexpected.”  That’s how I want to create.  That’s how I want to live.

Fantasy Garden: Had fun “finding” shapes and patterns to paint

I love those quotes; they feed and inspire me.  But it’s this next one that really resonates, that fills me with hope for my creative future, that inspires me to dream big and to reach long:  “Through beauty you can rebuild the soul.”  A simple statement, my purpose explained - my goal, my dream, is to paint in a way to touch souls, soothe spirits, and inspire another’s dream.

If you’ve looked at my paintings, you have seen that I don’t do brain art.  I paint from my Pollyanna heart and am driven to create fun images and beautiful, soothing, uplifting pictures.

Acting on my friend’s advice is proving beneficial.  I’ve stopped beating up on myself when I am not able to put paintbrush to paper. I now celebrate all the other many ways I do support my creative self and my business.  Interestingly, I find I am feelin’ it a lot more these days!  

I think anyone can benefit from this idea.  Do something, anything, even if it’s only for 10 minutes each day, with your eye on your dream.  That commitment will build on itself and you’ll feel good about yourself.  As my friend said, “If you want to write a book, and you get out one page a day, at the end of the year you’ll have 365 pages.”  Something to think about.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Judy

Recently, I came across an OSHO Zen card titled “Success.”  It shows a man, arms flung wide, riding the tiger of success on top of the world.  It’s a beautiful card and, of course, it made me feel great in that moment.  The written message described a balanced view of success and I immediately thought of sharing it with you.

To paraphrase:  "When you feel successful, immerse yourself fully in the feeling of being on top of the world, milk it for every moment of happiness you can.  Feel your joy fully and share it with others, because you know what's coming next:  The yin of life to balance the yang, the inevitable valley beyond the peak."  

The idea is that fully celebrating success lessens regrets when the high is over. 

Infinity Unravelling (above) and Infinity Electric (below) - A new series I am playing with

Good stuff, right?  Feeling high should be fully celebrated yet how many of us barely glance at our accomplishment as we turn to the next thing to do?  The better option would be to revel in the feeling of achievement and congratulate yourself.  The moment will pass soon enough.

When it does, don’t hold on. You’re wasting energy better applied to other things. This Zen card also asks: “What is wrong with the valley?  What is wrong with being low?”  I loved reading this part.  It reminded me how I was conditioned (to always be “doing,” to always be in the process of proving myself, striving, working towards a goal) and how that process mostly pushes against the natural flow of life.

To be honest, this valley bit can make me feel uncomfortable.  I still get antsy and anxious when I’m there.  My gut response is to fix it fast, to soothe the unease.  The Zen dudes say to accept this moment.  “A peak is an excitement”, they say, “and nobody can exist continuously in an excitement.”

A beneficial aid to any form of creativity is long moments of nothingness.  In the void, new ideas can surface, surprising connections can be forged.  Didn’t Einstein make breakthroughs while taking long walks?  Or was it shaving?  Can’t remember and too lazy to check it out, but you get the point.  So yay for low moments.  Time for resting your body and brain, gathering your unseen forces, catching up on paperwork ;) or being with friends, and getting to that book you’ve been wanting to read.  Better yet, perhaps hearing your heart whisper long forgotten dreams.

Just Having Fun 1 & 2 (above) - The theme is all about experimenting, playing and just seeing what’s possible for now.
 

BTW, I finished this letter once before.  Last week in fact, as I emerged from a valley with what I thought to be the ending.  Interestingly, here I am again in another dip.  I get what’s happening.  Metaphorically, I’m cleaning house.  I’m creating space for the improved version of me which means I am culling through old habits, beliefs, and patterns of thinking that no longer serve me.  Not being busy elsewhere helps me to focus my attention here. 

Appreciate the rudderless moments, let the current move you as it will.  Know that this is when good stuff happens.  “Jus’ chillax”, as the locals like to say here in Hawaii.   It’s all ok and totally worth it.  It helps me to remember that every time I come out of a valley, I like myself more and I am happier in my world.

Gratefully,

Judy

Every moment counts, in very meaningful ways.  Your energetic savings account depends entirely on you. The math is simple and consistency is key.  So is awareness, diligence, and a willingness to put a check on unconscious habits of thinking.

I’m concerned today with energy leaks and how debilitating they can be.  Putting off a not-so-fun task, changing who we are to please someone else, or fretting over how to say no to a friend are a few examples of what I mean.  A common leak occurs when we choose to focus on the one thing that’s not working well in our lives (business, relationship, the world) instead of all the many things that are.

First Wash, outlining drawn with non-dominant hand, white-out still on structure outlines and waves.  My intention was to feel carefree, loose, light-hearted.  I really like how this turned out.

Stuff just keeps happening, right?  Our choice is simple:  positive thought, or not.  We don’t have to insulate ourselves from our lives.  It’s more about consciously choosing the thought or action that can immediately improve our mood.  This is the only moment that matters.  Teaching yourself to feel better right now helps clear the way for more future fun things to find you. 

Simply put: Something bugs you, which starts a mental downward spiral.  Whatever you focus on grows, and every force requires food.  Since you’re the closest, most recognizable resource, that means you.  Given time and the snowball effect, this negative slide can consume thoughts, rewire emotions, and deplete health.  

Fortunately, no Herculean effort is required, merely a gentle shift in focus.  For example: that icky-feeling task?  Spend a few moments to prepare the day before.  Say to yourself, “Tomorrow, first thing, I am going to take care of this and won’t that feel great?”  Take a moment to visualize how good it will feel to cross that item off your list.  Next, get everything you’ll need lined up.  Now, let it go.  You have already prepared yourself for action so you can now relax.  The self-appointed time arrives,  the stage is set, you feel refreshed, and off you go.  

It doesn’t even have to be the whole task, either.  A sense of accomplishment is what you’re after, the feeling of empowerment which comes from organized, thoughtful action.

I’m having a blast following my impulses, choosing random colors to outline the now lifted white-out parts.  Very happy with the fun, quirky feel of this painting.  Is it a city?  A birthday cake?? Are those statues???  I’m going to follow my impulse to somehow shadow the grouping, something like a sunset-halo, so here goes...

Other suggestions for self-talk include:  “I won’t always work like this and it’s ok for me right now.”  “I’ve survived stuff like this before; I can do it again.”  “Things usually work out fine for me.”  “I’m responsible for my own happiness and it’s not my job to make others happy.”  Personally, I use, “Change!” and, “Judy, mind your own business!”  Both make me laugh at myself which immediately frees me to move on.  Another great question to ask yourself is: “What would make me happy right now?”

Creating anything invites chaos.  Especially at times when you reach for more.  I’m exploring, what if-ing, giving in to impulses a lot lately.  Feeling brave one moment and then, “Yikes!  Why did I do that?!”  So easy to start in on myself.  Happily, I’ve been able to switch to, “I can make this work” or “It sure will be interesting to see how this turns out.”  Sometimes, I close up shop for awhile; other times, I feel compelled to keep going, curious to see what I’ll do next.

And…Oops.  Rats.  Sigh….I’m disappointed at this stage how the right side where I added the halo looks too closed in, too heavy.  I'll put this painting aside (as every time I look at it, I mentally kick myself in my creative butt).  My new self-talk?  “Change!” and  "Hmmm, I wonder how I’m gonna fix this one?”  (For now, it’s a mystery but I’ll keep you posted.)

Employing these kinds of phrases builds your personal energy account.  You’ll feel immediately better, a bonus in itself.  In addition, you’ll have freed your brain to think up other options or ideas.  In a flash, you’ve become more attractive to anyone or anything out there that might prove beneficial to you.  Positive thoughts emit positive signals which attract more of the same.  It’s magnetic, it’s powerful, and it feels great.

So, the next time something starts bugging you, remember you have a choice.  Honestly, why settle for anything less? 

Just go make a mess!

Judy