Sunday, January 13, 2013

Be the Figment of Your Imagination

"I am a mix of practical realist and romantic daydreamer. But of these two entities, the latter needs the most encouragement." Ann E. O'Shaughnessy

Twelve days from today my romantic daydreamer and I will fly off to paint in Mexico. Sometimes it's hard for me to dream big and beautifully beyond my lack of art training. When people ask me if I'm an artist, I practice saying YES, though a voice inside says, it's common knowledge real artists sell their work and find themselves the star at gallery openings. It's easier to say yes to strangers, than it is to believe it on the inside. And yet, there was a time I had to believe I was a teacher and later a therapist and even harder, a mother. Lots of us raised on "The Little Engine That Could"came to believe we can do what we think we can do. I need to think I am, think I am, think I am an artist. Besides it's fun to say I am an artist whether or not I'm chuckling inside.

Baruch ata adonai...I love the idea of reinventing myself. Parts of me are still voting for the conservative party, the party of tradition and it's always been that way and it's safe. They know they're outnumbered though. It's so much fun to be someone else entirely, to fly away on the wings of romantic daydreams that do come true. Thank you for your encouragement and letting me know you're on the side of figments of imagination. Amen


3 comments:

  1. barbara
    what wonderful insights you have. i've missed a few days of visiting your blog so i made some time to go back and read several of your posts and am surprised at how many feel like you wrote them just for me.
    you are doing good work here.
    thank you.
    rebeca

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love that idea too. In fact I am trying to do that right now, and it´s beautiful and challenging and rewarding... and not always easy.
    Thaks for your paryers, I find peace in them

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, I after reading this post, and "This One Thing Might Change Your Day," I feel as if we may be kindred spirits.

    ReplyDelete