“Be here now. This is truly the only place you need to be. And from this place, all things are possible.” ~ Melody Beattie
Live in the moment. Live for today. Live in the here and now. These are concepts I’ve always had difficulty with. I’m always looking at the past, wanting to change things I cannot change and at the same time I’m looking at the future with fear of making the wrong move, saying the wrong thing, or taking the wrong turn. The part I forget about completely is where I’m standing when I’m having these useless thoughts. The moment. The here and now. Today.
Tonight I made an effort at placing my thoughts in the present. I was doing my still life homework for my art class tomorrow night, and I slowly began to realize that when I am doing art, I am totally in the moment. I thought back to my previous week’s homework, and to drawing “drapery” in class last week, and it was the same thing. My mind was totally in the moment. I was totally relaxed. I felt joy in doing what I was doing and being exactly where I was. The quote above says all things are possible from the here and now. In each instance, as I began the drawing, I would doubt I could complete it. By plunging in and engaging in the process without fear, I would begin to see the image take shape on the paper. Tonight I experimented with crayon and water. (I was drawing the plant on the counter of my yoga studio – I took a picture of it and drew from the picture. The plant struck me and I felt compelled to draw it.) I’m finding that when I’m involved in a drawing, I don’t venture into the past or the future. I’m not thinking of what happened yesterday or what I have to do tomorrow. I’m not thinking of the people in my life, the bills I need to pay, the emails and phone calls I need to attend to, etc. I totally get lost in the moment of creation.
Tonight, I confess, I did two drawings. The first one I hurried. That’s me. Always getting ahead of myself. I went to color too quickly and applied it too heavily. I didn’t like the picture at all. So I started over. I forced myself to slow down and find joy in drawing the outline carefully. Shading with the charcoal. Adding color in stages. Taking small brush strokes with the water. Attending to the bumps on the pot with patience. Sure enough, it was possible to recreate the picture of the plant. I’ve also come to understand that I’m not trying to recreate the photo. I’m creating an image I’m drawn to as I see it. I’m finding my style – my artist’s voice. I finally realize it’s not supposed to look like the photo. There is great freedom in this. Freedom that I could only discover by living in the here and now, and not getting ahead of myself.
And so, as another day goes by, I I have spent quality time in the moment, slowed myself down, and…I have written.
Wow, not only can write but also taking on drawing too, and certainly you have a lot of talent here as well. I went to learn how to play the guitar once and hope some day I can try again, but i certainly needed more patience and time to “slow down” than when I tried the first time.
I do that too! Took lessons, have a music room and have to slow down and have patience as well with the guitar! Lol! Just the fact that we even try is a positive move! Love u and thanks for reading! :))
You cant give up on the things you love, not ever…
Charlotte ~ Private Practice
Sent from my iPhone…
Linda Bartosik 🙂