THE EVERYDAY ARTIST

I know this might sound crazy, but it only dawned on me this year that I am an artist. No, I didn’t look up the definition and make that decision. Nobody tapped me on the shoulder and proclaimed it for me. I only had to look around my house to see the evidence everywhere.

You, too, may have a talent or skill that it’s time to acknowledge. It’s time to do a complete self-analysis and embrace everything that makes us unique.

I’ve been painting, drawing, writing, journaling, and creating since I could hold a pencil. But only recently have I accepted that even my doddle counts as art if I want them to. So, I’m choosing to embrace all my creative outlets, which include more than my writing.

I will include more in my Newsletter than just my writing side. I want to publicize the other things that wake up my muse and get the creative juices flowing. Now I accept the word ‘artist’ is broader than I ever imagined, and by not seeing the whole picture, I lived in constraints that hampered my creativity.

 

Along with this newfound knowledge came the realization that I fuel my creativity in several ways connected in one form or another. I can’t recognize one and ignore all the others because, on most days, I do more of the other stuff than I do writing. In the past, I never gave myself an atta-boy for the different outlets, which has hampered my growth, happiness, and success.

The Everyday Artist is my way of recognizing the activities that stir my soul, bring me joy, and lead to all kinds of happy doodles, manuscripts, paintings, planner spreads, and journals.

 

So please travel with me on this creative road while I honor all the things that make me, me and share them on all my platforms.

Decemer 7, 2020

You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.

Maya Angelou

IF I HAD KNOWN

If I had known the year 2020 was going to keep me stuck inside, away from the people I love and going to the store to see empty shelves and being absent from all the things in my life, I would have lived 2019 with a passion that would have set my soul on fire.

In January, I would have left the Christmas tree up a little longer to celebrate the holiday that may be forever different.

In February, I would have reached out to everyone I loved and let them know they had a place in my heart, not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day.

In March. I would have welcomed Spring by throwing open the doors and inviting my friends and family in to celebrate with a gathering full of fun.

In April, I would have smiled more at the beautiful flowers that brighten the world. I would have picked more blooms, bought more buds, and filled my house with the colors that illuminate the world.

 

In May, I would have accepted every invitation to every family event, taken more pictures, and reminisced about old times because I miss them so much now.

In June, I would have welcomed summer by hugging those people close to me a little longer and playing with my dog like we had no tomorrows.

In July, I would have celebrated the sunshine, the rain, the warm summer breezes, and the ability to stick my foot in the ocean without wearing a mask and standing six feet away from everyone.

 

In August, I would have enjoyed going shopping at stores with fully stocked shelves and no limits on what I could purchase.

In September, I would have stood outside and waved at the school buses as the students returned to school.

In October, I would have bought more candy and handed it out to the trick or treaters like candy was the medicine that made the world happy.

 

In November, I would have prepared for Thanksgiving with more thankfulness in my heart for every blessing and gift that made my life full and joy filled.

In December, I would have held my family a little tighter and a little longer, and I would have told them and showed them how much I love them.

 

I don’t know what 2021 holds, but after 2020, I will forever look at life differently and know that every day is special and worth a celebration. How has 2020 changed you?

April 17, 2020

Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up.

Allen Klein

March 29, 2020

People look to time in expectation that it will eventually make them happy, but you cannot find true happiness by looking toward the future.

 

Eckhart Tolle

February 11, 2020

I never said I wanted a ‘happy’ life but an interesting one. From separation and loss, I have learned a lot. I have become strong and resilient, as is the case of almost every human being exposed to life and to the world. We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward.

 

Isabel Allende

The Year Of Happy

Hello, 2020. I decided to dedicate this year to affirm myself. I’ve sent so much time and energy pointing out all the things I don’t like about myself, or my shortcomings, or my failures, that I’ve decided this year will be different.

 

This year I’m going to be kinder to myself. I’m going to give myself room to make mistakes, to eat too much, to exercise less, to sleep longer or wake up earlier. I’m going to give myself permission to play, and dance and sing out loud and off-key. I’m going to smile at bad hair days, and outfits that don’t fit as good as I’d like and hairs that grow out of my chin (before I pluck them). I’m going to celebrate the good that happens every day no matter how small.

 

I’m going to find quotes and affirmations and opportunities that make me happy. I’m going to laugh when it rains and smile when it snows. Life is good and beautiful and short and a blessing. I can’t waste another day being unhappy at insignificant incidents. That’s just another part of living. How will you be good to yourself this year?

March 14, 2019

Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude.

 

Dale Carnegie

March 10, 2019

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.

 

Colin Powell

February 19, 2019

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.

 

Jim Rohn