And I thought I should try to give equal time (or at least some time to this blog).
I go through the week with a million things rushing through my mind and some of them present themselves as topics or ideas of things I could write about. Some I put on the back burner for another time in my life, some I discard because I think they might just be too silly to write about and some just kind of linger around and beg to be put out there.
I guess today I might talk about something I've recently completed that I only do occasionally but that I love to do....and that is paint. This time I painted a two sided store front sign for a small gift shop in New Braunfels, Texas. It was a fun project albeit, tedious and time consuming. But I did have the best time doing it and although it sounds silly, I miss the sign. When I paint, a picture, a sign, door pulls, Toms shoes, whatever...I miss them when I'm done and have either sold them or given them as gifts. I think because I put my heart and sole into the project. I think of painting as I do my writing. They both bring me great joy....and while I am working on them, they are like my children. I become attached to them.
I so enjoyed working on that sign that I'm thinking of trying my hand at some other items that maybe I can sell on consignment.....not because I need to work....but because it makes me feel more alive. It gives me purpose. It makes me feel like I am using talents God gave me....which so often I don't do. I often wonder what my life would have been like and where it would have taken me if I had pursued a career or careers using my talents. I can sure tell you that I think my life would have been very different. Even though I don't know where that road would have taken me I know in my heart it would have been adventurous and rewarding and my life would have been peaceful (not that it's not peaceful now), but I think I would have found contentment and an inner joy that I've not found in other jobs. I often think it is how my sweet friend Edwina Edwards must feel...because she did just that...she took her talents and made them her life. (Good at you Edwina...you inspire me!)
I think we each are given talents....sometimes they come to us as a surprise and sometimes we know right off what they are....I know you've heard as many times as I have, singers who say "when I was 3 years old I started singing and I just knew that is what I wanted to do the rest of my life". Sometimes we realized what our talents are because when we are doing whatever it is ....be it singing, or sewing, or riding a bull....or yes writing and painting, a calmness comes over us, we forget about the world around us, time passes and we don't even realize it....we get lost in what we are doing. When that happens, pay attention.
I'm probably too old at this point in my life, but oh how I wished I had listened when at an early age someone said to me (or maybe I read it somewhere) that if you find what you love to do and you do it well and you study to be even more proficient....the money will follow...and what you love to do will become your work and you will love working (or something to that effect). And now at almost 65, I so believe that to be true. I try to tell my great niece that. She's 13 and I think it's important to do in life what you love to do. You don't have to fit a mold, you don't have to work 9 to 5, you don't have to sit behind a desk all day. Dream, dream big and go for your dreams! You know...when you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are...remember Jackie Evancho http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7swF5b99tY
So lately that is where my days go and that is how my time flies (well that and playing Word Chums or Vacation Quest on my IPad).....or daring to let myself get on Pinterest which can consume a half day before I know it :)
If you're ever in New Braunfels, Texas and you're walking around the square and you happen to pass by Donegal Sue's (a little gift shop at 230 W. San Antonio St.), look up and you'll see one of my children....
