Behave Yourself (Barely)

I was listening to Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD during my morning workout and she talked of a favorite aunt that lived by her own rules. She would tell Clarissa to behave herself, just barely. I love this wisdom. It keeps you on the boundary and that is where creatives live. I must admit that I have lived my life just on the other side of the boundary. I advise for most that living within the boundary but on the border serves you just as well. What does the borderland look like to you? Does it have you prioritizing your creative pursuits? Does it allow you to take time for yourself? Does it let you run free, escape responsibilities for a short time? Does it have you booking that trip you have always dreamt of? Now is the time to exist on la Frontera, the border.

If you have read my posts, you know I like to realign myself every ten years or so. I am in the transition time now. I usually view the change in the rearview mirror, meaning I see it after I have moved through it. I think with wisdom (age) comes foresight. I am aware of moving to a different way of creating. Most of my life I have been creating projects, making art for exhibitions, teaching, video production, writing, taking groups on journeys and working with groups in recovery. I still have projects for the coming year, a new exhibition, in-person workshops and art excursions. But now I am returning to the borderland. I want to push my boundaries and see where I can venture to. I am preparing myself mentally.

How can you prepare yourself mentally to push your boundaries? Julia Cameron recommends an artist date in her book The Artist’s Way. I have several recommendations in my book Awakening Your Creative Soul. One of the exercises is Angel Art. I like to create small sculptures made from natural clay and painted with watercolors or dyes. I leave them in places where someone will find them. It may be as simple as a heart shape with the words, you are loved, written on it. I suggest that to prime your imagination you begin to leave yourself little notes or tokens like the clay sculptures. Or you can write an inspiration or an encouraging word on a sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror or monitor. Take a pad of post-it notes and write assorted inspirations or creative prompts on each page. Pull one off each day and place it where you will see it.

To successfully change or realign yourself it is imperative to let go of what is holding you in the past. Don’t panic, this is more of a mindset but sometimes it does involve getting rid of things. Have you outgrown a craft or hobby that you tried but never really connected with? Stop tormenting yourself with the nagging thought that you really “should” finish that crochet project. Give the supplies to someone you know will use them or donate locally. Holding on to so many unused supplies may actually be keeping your imagination hostage. I came up with some of my most imaginative solutions when I was a cash-strapped student. Necessity is really the mother of invention.

I have spent the past two years working daily creating my weekly Mixed Media Soul Sparks, the videos on my YouTube channel, learning video editing, producing online classes and creating hundreds of small paintings in the process. I am ready to paint large again and the galleries are selling my cast acrylic pieces. I am clearing out my small paintings in my annual BOGO sale. Buy one and get one free. This is the tenth year, and it will be the final one. I am making lots of changes for the coming year and as hard as it is to say no when someone asks if I will make another year of Mixed Media Soul Sparks or do more outdoor shows or more large event workshops, I say no. A no to one thing is a yes to other possibilities and I am saying yes to new explorations.

Please check out the BOGO sale. The prices are the best they have been in a decade. This year there is an event on Facebook where you may view the folders posted on Dec 1, 8 and the 16th. The sale will end on the 23rd. If you prefer to view off of social media, please email me [email protected] and I will send you a link to a OneDrive folder. All the info is there along with instructions. Help me embrace my change.

Where would you like to create change in your live? Let me know. I am working on the program for Ireland that incorporates discovering your personal myth and creating an alternative book that tells your story. There are still a few spots left. If interested let me know and we can schedule a chat.

That’s it for now but I have a wonderful new year blog and exercise planned for you.

I am so excited to embrace the unknown. Join me on the journey to the borderlands.