For the most part, I have lived my life in a linear fashion.  Doing things in the right order and coloring within the lines of what is acceptable.   Webster’s dictionary defines linear as “a style of art in which forms are sharply delineated and line is emphasized over color, light and shadow.”  The latter part of this definition resonates within my soul.  Line is emphasized over color, light and shadow. 

Over the past two months, with the help of a beautiful mentor/creative coach, I embarked on this journey to become “unstuck,” to color outside the lines.   As I mentioned in an earlier post, without fail, every time I walked through the doors of Barnes and Noble,  the section of Somerset Studio publications drew me towards them like a magnet.  I poured over the mixed-media and artful journaling pieces as if they were my very own creations.  And, yet, I always stopped there, just thinking about art, but never creating it.  And why?  Fear.  In my own linear way of thinking, I did not have an art background, and therefore, any art I might create would not match those featured in the art magazines.  And, if my attempts did not come-out looking like the images in my head, then I would be disappointed in myself.  Even worse, I would not receive approval from others.  Sad, I know.

Oh, I had all kinds of other excuses.  Not enough time.  Not enough skills.  Not enough ideas.  You name it.  I did not have enough of it.  But  when I got down to the real reason, I found myself looking fear in the eyes.   This time, though, before I could return to my comfortable position of the observer and thinker, my coach directed me to the canvas and paint and handed me the paintbrush.  Together, we co-created.  Me tentatively mixing colors and applying new techniques.  Her offering bold suggestions.  “Go for it!” she would encourage. “When we make mistakes, we usually end-up turning them into something even better!”

Trusting my intuition. Facing  fear.  Trying.  Messing-up.  Trying again.  These are the skills that I learned in this process of creating.  These are the skills that I need to live a richly-colored life.  From reading and talking with other women, I’ve found that many of us stuff our would-be passions aside in fear.  Passions that just might make the world a brighter, richer place for everyone.  What if we started encouraging each other to try our wings, just as my mentor did for me?  What if we started substituting passion for perfection?  Just imagine.

Will you choose to live safely within the lines or will you consider painting the vibrant colors and hues which God so desperately needs us to paint across this canvas called life?

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