stepping out (with courage)
stepping out (with courage), a photo by kari maxwell on Flickr.
Yesterday was great. I spent the day enjoying the sunshine (from inside my cozy house), I painted like nobody's business, I had a nap with my favorite person and walked some errands around the 'hood.
It's amazing what one day can do. More gray. More snow. This just seems to dampen my mood and heighten my awareness regarding all the other life challenges. It's taken a lot of effort to stay up and "step out".
And then I hear Sam Cooke on the radio all of the sudden, "...it's been a long, a long time comin' ... but I know, a change gonna come."
What is taking courage for you to step out and into today?
Here's to more courage for everyone.
Yesterday was great but today hasn't been easy. Seeing this bird, in this perspective, made it all a bit better. Tell me what you need/needed courage for today in a comment below and I will throw your name in the hat (literally) for a 7X5 print of this gal. I will announce the recipient at 6:30pm on Monday.
Happy Friday, Everyone!
Congratulations, Susanna! You won the give away!
Thank you for playing along and sharing your courage.
Oh, Kari, I love this!!! Great post and what a cute piece! I'm gonna enter, of course... :) I needed courage this week also with the cold, and so many things as a wife and mama this week. When one of my kids said how awful MN is b/c of the snow, I had to list off things that I love, that are so great about it, trying to stay positive. And I need courage everyday to not worry about the busy icy roads that I dread taking my kids to school and just live, not fearing.
ReplyDelete-Meg
Oh, Meg, I love that you were the first to comment here. Thank you for believing in my path and for walking the path of courage with me!
DeleteI'm in a position where my day job is taking all my energy and takes me away from my art. The drudgery of the icy cold Montreal winter mornings is not helping. It is all starting to feel heavy on my heart. I look for inspiration and courage wherever it whispers... Tonight it came in the form of a pink birth and the heart's echos of a fellow artist. I am not alone. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh, Syndia, I think I know EXACTLY how THIS feels. Not presently but certainly in the past. Thank you for sharing your path. It takes courage to create but more to trust in the creative process. You are almost to the top of the hill (where there is sunshine and warmer days in sight with a wealth of creative inspiration and opportunity - my wish for you)
DeleteMy day job draining most of my energy and is taking me away from my art. The drudgery of the icy cold Montreal winter mornings is not helping. It is all starting to feel heavy on my heart. I look for courage and inspiration wherever it whispers... tonight it came in the form of a pink bird and the heart's echos of a fellow artist. I am not alone. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy 83 year old mom passed away 3 weeks ago. She was an artist, and your birds remind me of her painting style. You and your happy birds give me something to smile about! Thanks for being such a cool person.
ReplyDeleteSusanna, "stepping out" is ready to fly to your home. Thank you for appreciating my birds and for sharing your courage!
DeleteI replied to your comment first just to announce (not having a fresh memory of it's content). I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you for sharing such a significant time in your life with us. Sending gentleness, care and new life with this bird who is "stepping out".
DeleteThis winter, just putting one foot in front of the other is all the "stepping out" you can do. We enjoyed nature's creativity this weekend by going to the orchid store and taking in the warmth, humidity and beauty. It was gorgeous and good for the soul. And speaking of birds, I also made sure to refill the bird feeder, so we can watch the birds from inside our cozy house. Love your bird painting and your commitment to creating every day, Kari. And LOVE seeing your cow paintings in our home -- they make me smile every day, too.
ReplyDeleteJoyce, thank you for commenting here. It is SO GOOD to hear from you and hear the cows are doing well. Cheers to our love of both cows and birds (and warmth and orchids and putting one foot in front of the other)!
DeleteSeems like the longest winter ever, today is -10C. The thing that gives me courage is the beauty of a cold blue sky and the naked trees with all the bird's nests exposed. It's always nice to come back to a warm home after a cold walk. I'm grateful, especially after the ice storm in Dec. when I had no heat at all for 3 days. Can't take anything for granted.
ReplyDeleteThree days? Last winter we lost heat for 3 hours and it was miserable. Gratitude. I hear a lot of it here (as well as poetry). Thank you for sharing your courage, Shelley (and for creating everyday - yeah, you!)
Deletepersistence :)
ReplyDelete