I was reading in ‘The Artist’s Way’ the section on Recovering a Sense of Possibility.

Oddly enough, the author Julia Cameron talks about Solitude in this chapter – which was my blog topic last week.  She also relays the importance of solitude for an artist, saying ‘without this period of recharging, our artist becomes depleted.’  This example can be used in many other areas of life, it is a well-known fact of being an introvert.

She also talks about falling in what she calls, the ‘virtue trap’.  As I am sure many people can relate – especially those with a family and kids, parents strive to “be good, to be nice, to be helpful, to be unselfish.  We want to be generous, of service, of the world.  But what we really want is to be left alone.”  It may not be art necessarily, but you crave working on something you are passionate about.  You sacrifice doing something you really enjoy, to be involved with the family.  I should add, I think this is very important – one of my favourite quotes is from Mother Theresa “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”  I think the world would be a much different place if people took these words to heart and showed love to one another.  Not to mention my boys and hubby are my favourite people.

I digress…  my point is about fitting in those things you love to do.  In fact, this very year in March, when I started this blog and art posts, I hadn’t really practiced art since college.  Not really.  I worked, got married, had kids, and we bought our first home.  In a very small house, just over 1000 square feet, the excuse was that all of my supplies were in storage and I couldn’t access them.  Many times I felt the urge to dig them out, but then I was unsure what to paint or where to start.  Then, since there was no accessible place to have them, I would stuff them into the back of the closet again.

If you have read this blog from the beginning, you would know it all has to do with finally deciding I just have to go for my dream of writing and illustrating children’s stories that finally tipped the scales.  I have decluttered some things out of our little house that the boys have grown out of.  I have a fabric storage bin next to my side of the bed that I have some things accessible – a writing book, a blog book, sketchbooks, my cigar box of drawing tools, pencil crayons and some books that are my inspiration.  I have my watercolour palette and brushes at the sink by the kitchen.  Even though we are still in our little place (years longer than we thought we would be – but we have a renovation happening soon and hope to be on a bigger property sooner than later), I came to realize there could always be an excuse if I allow it.  I just have to fit it into my life.  We still spend lots of time together as a family, and the boys are more independent now too.

When something is important, you find a way, and you make room for the possibilities.  Don’t limit yourself.

big hug,

Devon