I am grateful for my toes
As they wiggle to and fro
And help me keep my balance
As I walk my path in life
Sometimes I just move tippy-toe
Rooting with each light step
Aware of the living connection
Held onto the earth in toe’s grip
Other times I treat my toes
To a walk in the grass or mud
Giving thanks to them
For helping make life so good
A checkered box
covered with jewel-like beads
And full to within an inch
of emptiness, still and rich
Such is my day
such is my life
Such is the experience
when immersed
in love and gratitude
I discovered something miraculous a while back when I was not having such a wonderful day. It’s a simple tool that has paid off in many joyous moments.
For many years I battled an invisible “dark cloud.” It would descend on me whenever I fled into that dark place called victim. I did not realize at the time, of course, that that was what was going on. I just felt weighted by this sense of doom and I did not know how to escape it.
I worked on myself with counselors and the ongoing help of many twelve step fellowships for most all of my life. Somewhere over 30 years ago, the balance tipped. I began having more “good days” than “dark days” and that trend has continued and expanded since then. I just don’t even have a “dark hour” hardly ever any more.
The discovery of the gratitude tool has freed me of even that. At even the slightest hint of doom and gloom thoughts or the heaviness that accompanies their energy, I remember gratitude. I start listing what I am grateful for. As I focus on the task of listing my gratitudes I shift back to the “half full” glass.
Granted, it’s pretty simplistic. Still, it works. Everytime, it works. I shift into grateful joy.
Today, I am singing praises for artists like Melissa Dinwiddie at the Thriving Artists Project who seem to have dedicated themselves to changing the world with courageous impetus. Even more than that, they are sharing the thought processes behind their hutzpah. I joined Thriving Artists Project with intrepid heart, truly ready to move into a different experience. Melissa has provided a brilliant intervention and has been a huge catalyst of growth in me and my artistic self. I will be ever grateful for the artistic jumpstart.
In one of her many interviews with other successful artrepreneurs, she introduced me to Ann Rea, another thriving artist. They both share the life-changing practice of doing daily diligence (my words) in your art. I make my living doing graphic design and illustration. I love what I do, and yet my heart, my center is in expression through fine art practices. I had gotten so busy doing my (graphics) work that I did not allow myself the (fine art) work time. So, I was touched deep inside reading the suggestion that I commit to a minimal amount of engaging in art practice every day. I am a changed woman, certainly a changed artist.
Ever since I made the promise to myself that I would paint or fully engage in another inspired creative endeavor for a minimum of 15 minutes everyday, things have been changing for me. First, it hardly ever ends at only 15 minutes, as once I am engaged in the process, I will stay there until I feel complete. I am developing a fresh body of work. I have started a whole new series of acrylic and mixed media paintings. It is my intention to have a major show at a gallery this year. And I will do it.
Second, the daily discipline opens up my creative thought processes so that I am much more engaged and effective in my graphic design work as well. As I read in The Artists Way and Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain years ago, tapping daily into the well of creativity will impact all areas of your life. I am deeply grateful for the nudge back into the experiential remembrance of this understanding.
