I keep SIMPLE ABUNDANCE, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, in my living room where it gently reminds me to pause, breathe, and take a look inside its pages. It was still open to a page in late January when I strolled by this morning. Something pulled me near instead of walking by like I usually do so many times each day. I instantly connected with the quote included at the top:
“Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how…. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.”- Agnes De Mille
Starting my own website is changing my perspective regarding the imperfect process of creating art. I don’t know all the answers but if I don’t LEAP I’ll never find out. I am grateful for the reassurance I felt after reading today’s message. A gentle reminder from SIMPLE ABUNDANCE pointed out the value of my art and being authentic- each of which grow with every leap.
Trying new techniques and new ideas can be exciting and frustrating all in the same day. Case in point? My crochet cabochon pendants! The thread covers up way too much of the stone which is not my desired result. So I go back to the drawing board and tweak, try again, and find what works. Failure is required in order to succeed. Reimagining is usually the key to moving beyond failure, which takes time and effort (don’t forget a healthy dose of patience!). The entire process is useful and insight can be gained along each step. Do you have a crafting hurdle you overcame, only to make your project better than you originally envisioned it?
My plate is more than full- and that is a good thing since it keeps me out of trouble- (wink) however, I find it all-the-more difficult to find balance in my life. Balance between being a mom and not losing myself. Taking care of my home yet not forgetting the importance of self care. And here I sit, eating some cheese pizza (I told you my plate was full!), trying to determine how to balance the time required for the construction of my new website with the time needed to construct the goodies FOR my website. If only I could twinkle a freeze time spell!