Wisdom & Balance For Life

Wisdom & Balance for life means listening and trusting yourself. So often our expectations are led by our inner critic. That’s the one that may want to move you forward in an unrealistic way.

For me, that was pressure to get the art out to sell, compare myself to other artists, create more classes, create a membership, make a deadline, follow a time frame, and build a following. In addition, it’s all the things the world ‘out there’ values. Supposedly these things, competition & winning, give me validity.

Then I tore my left shoulder rotator cuff while doing 2 large paintings with new techniques. As if that pain wasn’t enough, the physical therapy for the shoulder included lifting weights over my head, which I vehemently resisted. I told them they were giving me carpal tunnel in my wrists.

They insisted and I went along with the ‘experts’ when I should have followed my inner Wisdom. Now both wrists have tendonitis. Again, nothing so bad to need surgery, but life changing all the same.

Wisdom & Balance for life means creating a new perspective.

When you follow your passion, you are truly living the sum total of your life up to this point. You are enough right now. There is nothing to prove, no competition to win.

My entire artistic life has focused and returned again and again to animals. As subject matter, they keep me improving my drawing and observational skills, as well as instilling in me an intimate understanding of their eyes, bodies, and presence. I see the magic of nature in them.

My commitment to a daily art practice has taught me what my materials can do. Art is a reflection of my life at this moment, my deep set beliefs, and my skills to create what I envision. Body holds a memory of all I’ve done before. I feel connected to my art as each holds deep meaning for me. Every painting has a story to tell.

Owl & Rabbit, Wisdom & Balance are a turning point for me. They remind me to live from mindfulness and trust my inner instincts to know what comes next. I won’t give away my power as easily in the future.

Now is healing time. Even 6 months after the initial hurt, the pain slowly improves as I continue to think carefully and act consciously. I truly believe in the body’s power to heal. There are no time limits, no deadlines to living in wisdom and balance.

I completed a new painting that I love this morning. Heading off to hand therapy this afternoon. Here’s to a summer of listening, trusting, creating, and knowing that I am enough.

Remember, Love your Self first always! Starting today, Make Time for You!

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