CREATIVY wins over CRAZINESS!

YES! I was facing a week full to the brim with projects, extra jobs, violin lessons, trips out of town, studying, ALLERGIES & ANXIETY! BUT, what a sense of accomplishment I have experienced over the past week as I conquered my CRAZINESS with CREATIVY. I gave myself over to my artistic side and enjoyed a week of peaceful bliss found in a painting! Yes I am crazy enough to do all that NEEDS to be done in one week and then add just one MORE thing in the mix. The craziest thing, I accomplished it all, with a smile on my face, and here I sit writing to you!

My week was looking busy, and I knew the only way to relieve the anxiety that would inevitably overcome me, was to start the week with a blank canvas and painting project in mind. As I looked at the blank canvas, the invasive thoughts of what I needed to be doing kept creeping in, but quickly, I brushed the negative naggings aside and thought about what it was I wanted to create. Slowly, I could see in my minds eye what I wanted to create. I lovingly chalked the outline on the canvas, and with my brush in hand, and a quiver of excitement I began the background. Even though the background consisted of browns and blacks, the stroke of the brush and the rhythm of the movement lulled me into a world of bliss and calmness.

As I squeezed the colors from their tubes, a sense of peace, tranquility, and complete awe overwhelmed me as I looked at the beauty and diversity of the colors.

I started with the leaves of my fanciful 'dandelion' using greens and yellows whose names I love! Is that crazy? Who would not fall in love with names like Buttercup, Blue Mist, Yellow Citron, Italian Sage, and Poetry Green? BEAUTIFUL, imaginative, and creative names. I began the filling in, and then shading, swirling, and mixing of the colors; it was such an overwhelming feeling, I am sure I must have cackled with excitement like one of the three witches from Macbeth! I know I was making enough sound of pure enjoyment and delight to catch my husband's attention! He hesitantly entered the room and with a quick gaze at the source of my amusement, he commented, "You look so professional!"  I wondered if it had to do with the painting on the canvas or more with the paint covering me from head to toe. Nevertheless, it was pure music to my ears and a kick in the seat of my tired pants to continue on and complete my masterpiece. So, next came the magical, mystical, blue swirly petals. Blues with lovely names like Cobalt blue, Amish blue, Slate blue, and Berry blue.

Fast and furious the brush did move, as if it had a mind of its own. I was swirling, twirling, spinning, and moving to the picture in my mind. I was transported from the anxiety which had been looming over me to a world of whimsy and wonder, and I laughed and danced to my favorite tunes by Frank Sinatra as I dabbed and dotted the final touches on my crazy, anxiety, stress reliever of my 'piece de resistance.' When all was said and done, I felt calm and ready to tackle the rest of my very hectic week. SO! the question is: Was it crazy to add one more seemingly unnecessary project to my week? With a grin, a belly laugh, a new painting and a smudge of Cobalt blue still on my cheek, I give you a resounding NO!

I heard a great quote last night while watching a movie and it goes like this: "‎If you don't wake up tomorrow, if it turns out that today is your last day on earth, will you be proud of what you've done in this life?" I want to be proud of what I have accomplished. To me that means enjoying the journey every step of the way, and using the tools and talents I have been given to make that possible! NOT crazy, BUT super smart, and OH SO ENJOYABLE!

I love the verse that reads: "May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope." ( Romans 15: 13) So, as you begin your week, if you are already grinding your teeth, white-knuckling everything you touch, or feeling the temptation to give your child, teenager, husband, or coworker a ten-finger necklace, CONSIDER a project! Whether it be painting, journaling, blogging, knitting, crocheting, cooking, or whatever captures your fancy, I daresay you will start your week off with a smile on your face, a more relaxed state of mind, and a laugh to go on!




Living, Laughing, and Love to you,




Patti