Princess Sassy Pants & Co.™

I was a professional fine artist for many years. I discovered that one of the most important parts of painting was when I sat back and looked like I was doing nothing. It was when I waited and simply observed that ideas would come–I could see the next step. The paintings were a mess if I tried just forging ahead, doing, doing, doing. Although occasionally, paintings did just pour out. 

Painting taught me so much about life. It taught me how to listen within and that there’s so much beauty within each of us waiting to pour out if we are willing to step aside and allow it. I didn’t know how to paint. I couldn’t teach anyone how to paint because Jane didn’t do it. Jane stepped aside and allowed what wanted to come out into expression. 

Painting and writing have been a couple of the particular forms of expression I’ve been led to, but these may not be how you are led. It doesn’t matter what the form of expression is; what matters is the experience of that which inspires us. It’s here that we find true joy. The form can be anything–and it doesn’t have to be something we “make a living” at. This is really the least of it.

The important thing is to follow what feels even a little bit joyful. Not merely pleasurable…joyful, and you’ll be led from there. This is important “me-time.”  It can be anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s gardening, sewing, crossword puzzles, dancing, knitting, headstands, or knitting while doing handstands. The feeling of joy is what matters, not the form it takes. Even if it’s just the slightest twinge.

You’ll know if it’s joy when it doesn’t matter to you if you get anything by doing it. It won’t matter if others acknowledge how great you are or not, whether anyone even sees it, or whether you receive payment for it. The joy is the payment. You might receive all these things and more at some points, but it’s the joy that moves you. 

Years later now, I feel that if I spend too much time in general doing, doing, doing, that I wasted time because too often, I’ve seen that it’s in quality time doing nothing that everything (that truly matters) gets done. It’s the place where inspiration is born.