Dare

I started reading The Artist's Way this week and when the author said, referring to the assigned weekly tasks, "in choosing which half of the tasks to do, use the guidelines, pick those that appeal to you and those you strongly resist....remember, in choosing, that we often resist what we most need.", I laughed out loud and knew I had been given the right book to read. I resist. That's what I do. I resist.

For instance, when I'm offered a list of items to complete, let's say my own to do list, I will always start with the things I find easiest, the things I want to do, not necessarily the priorities. I resist doing the things that aren't as enjoyable and push them aside until I can't stand seeing them in red anymore and either change the date, yes I do that, or finally get them done.

Do you resist?
Why do we resist?

I think it's simple. The things in our life that are the most meaningful are usually the hardest for us to do. We need them, but it's hard so instead of facing it head on we overlook it and hope by ignoring it, it will eventually go away. When really if we would accept the challenge and let it change us we would be better for it. I know this to be true, however, knowing doesn't make it any easier.

If we have two doors place before us and door 1 is presented as something we've done before, something we've already proven and we know how to do, and behind door 2 is something new, intimidating, work, and perhaps uncomfortable...which door would you choose? I'd like to think I'd choose door 2, but most the time, if I'm completely honest, I'd choose 1. I'd go for what I already know because let's face it, it's easy and simply put, comfortable.

My friend Hannah shared on her wall this week, "the person who doesn't make mistakes is unlikely to make anything."

That really hit home with me. A glaring reminder that mistakes are not the problem. The not doing and not trying...that's the problem. No mistakes means there's no creating and no progress. Relationships, art, sports, daily living, you name it...get messy. They all at some point reach a stage where you either stay stagnant or get messy and move forward. Without the mistake how would we ever know what we're capable of?

We have to choose between being comfortable and being uncomfortable. One of the reasons I chose to focus on "choose" this year is to remind myself that my life is under my control. If I'm not progressing it's because I'm walking away from an opportunity. I'm resisting the very thing I need the most.



I have dreams, ideals that I have not yet reach, but I believe dreaming is the easy part...making your dreams come true is the real challenge. I think that's what they mean when they say, dare to dream. Are we willing, do we dare, to do what it takes to make them come true?

It's been far too long that I've resisted my "creative" inner voice. Honestly I can't be sure exactly what it's telling me. I know what direction I'd like to go, design, but I'm letting my lack of knowledge and confidence in this area stop me from moving forward. I'm resisting because I just don't know.

So I'm looking forward, admittedly with a little trepidation, of making my way through the Artist's Way. It's an intense 12 week course that the authors says, "will make you excited, depressed, angry, afraid, joyous, hopeful, and, ultimately, more free." Does that statement scare me? Yes, yes it does, but it scares me more not to try and become the woman I want to be.

xoxo,
amy