It just is what it is

"Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are". Quite often I quote this Chinese proverb because, not only is it apropos for me, I think most people can relate to it and truly need to hear it. This one little saying explains so much. Of all the times in life when we are tempted to compare ourselves to others and inevitably fall short, it is this proverb we should remember. It clarifies instantly what we should know about ourselves: to not let anyone else define who we are or what we should be, to not let our inner dialog cast a negative light on anything we have or have not accomplished. Follow your heart. Find something you love to do and you will never work a day in your life.

There is something so satisfying about aging and taking control of yourself and who you are. I have let go of a lot of my “issues” in the last 5 or 6 years, one of them being perfectionism. So, with this in practice, I go forth in the world of blogging without having to consider the long-term implications of this debut and all the possible ramifications it could have. It just is what it is.

I also want to share one of my inspirations for this blog and continuing in my art career. After having left a decent but confining office job, I decided to take on a part-time job at Michael’s arts and crafts in the framing department. I knew that learning how to frame would not only come in handy but would be (hopefully) necessary one day. My first day I met this small Latina girl named Bridgette. We hit it off immediately as we discovered we were both displaced artists. She was contemplating a new career in graphics, and I had just left one. Upon hearing that, she said to me, that’s why we met. I was so impressed because that is something I say all the time, mostly to myself. To hear someone else say it to me, was like hearing my own soul being poured out, an undeniable truth.

We were both circling the idea of art but not committing to it because we have been taught that art is not a career you pursue. It’s a hobby, and an expensive one at that. Everyone has an idea of what you can do with your creative talents and to hear them say it, it is all easy and profitable. Frequently though, that’s not where your passion lies. Her brother was trying to convince her to decoratively paint furniture. That just wasn’t her thing.

 Well, she is now a full-time artist. She started out making handmade journals and is currently transitioning into encaustic painting. You can see some of her fantastic work and her blog at http://www.bgmartjournal.blogspot.com/

Check it out!