to sit with myself

In my quest to do more this year a simple step had been picking up activities I already enjoy and re-establishing them into my day. Some of these include journaling, reading, painting & drawing, walking, and reading. Do I manage to do all of these daily? No. Some times not at all. But, the big thing is progress. I have found great value in living with the seasons, and allowing myself to sleep more in the winter and not fill my days with so many activities. However, in order to keep things honest I might have let myself get lazy. So this do more declaration has been about me reigniting my passions to one day lead me into new opportunities to challenge myself and grow. And I truly believe I can accomplish big things while still honoring the rhythms of the seasons.

All of this round about introduction to say I have picked up my water colors and I feel so alive. Painting is a blast, and I encourage everyone to try. Even if you don't think of yourself as an artistic or creative it is important to exercise our brains in diverse ways. The acts of observation, and color, and using your hands to create establishes an appreciation for what is around and in you. To be able to sit with myself and get to know myself through painting is something I cherish. I forget the impact sunlight, flowers, textures, even the color green has on me until I sit with them again. Until I put an open page in front of me and ask myself to create something beautiful, something moving. In those moments not only do I get to do this thing I love but it allows me to understand myself and my Maker better. I get to love the world and the good in it and share it with others.

As we continue through this year I hope to share more of this passion I have and maybe one day a creation of my observations might live with you.