Embracing imperfections (plus a new article, sketches, and more)

“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together” Brene Brown

The last few weeks have felt full.

Appointments, lots of orders to fill (thank you!), a lingering cold demanding lots of naps, the start of the holidays, the end of the semester for Eric. My daily challenge has been to see the joy through the busy. So far so good.

Eric’s currently finishing up a photography class. Look at this set up I helped him with the other day. I dropped fruit into an aquarium of water so he could photograph the impact. Super bonus: I now get to eat tons of leftover fruit.

Being so busy over the past few weeks reminds me how crazed this time of year feels for so many of us. Balance goes out the window, doesn’t it?

This week I’m choosing the reminder that we’re all together in this thing called life, and that nobody’s perfect. Each day provides a chance to re-frame and begin again (or to reach out for help, if you need it!).

Let’s embrace the joy and chaos in equal measure.

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Speaking of imperfection, I’ve been working this week on a series of sketches. I don’t have a sense yet of how I want my animals to look, and the only way to really know is to keep practicing, sharing, and then trying again.

I tried two different elephant versions to see which style called to me most.

Then, mice in various positions.

I’m a little intimidated by drawing animals, to be honest, which is exactly why I need to do more of it. Every time I feel any kind of creative fear, I think back to Vincent Van Gogh: if you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.

Point taken. Off to draw!

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I’ve been so touched by the fantastic response to my recent article We Are Enough (a story of love, art, and healing), published on the Tut.com blog. Thank you to everyone who has read, shared, and commented. I’m really appreciative.

I recently wrote another article for a lovely company Sivana Spirit. The article touches on the link between creativity and mindfulness in my journey.

You can check out the article here!

I’ll have another article coming soon, though I’ll share the exact details when it goes live. Writing has been part of my life since I was little (at 12 years old I announced I’d have a career as a writer), and while that path has shifted, I’m loving the intersection I’ve found between art, inspiration, and words.

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Life right now is so many things: progress over perfection (in love, art, healing, connecting), gentle self-forgiveness when balance just isn’t an option, trust in divine timing, and the daily reminder that comparison gets us nowhere (there is space, joy, creativity, and wisdom enough for ALL of us).

No experience is ever a waste (and isn’t that a beautiful thought for those days that feel less than perfect?). Here’s to embracing today, no matter what. Let’s do this!

With love,