I was thinking about this last night. It was one of those funny quotes that I first repeated in an Aesthetics class to Caroline. I'm sure she remembers. I was kidding but as I was thinking about this last night, I find it to be true. It is easy to be happy when you don't realize what more there is out there. Hopefully instead of being frustrated by it, you can move onto making changes or be content with what you can't change. After reading blogs by people like Anna Maria Horner who is raising five children (wonderfully) and producing her designs like crazy, I was inspired to start trying new things here. Elena at French Toast Girl posted a drawing every day for a whole month, something that I never thought of doing until she did. I guess my ignorance was thinking that motherhood meant putting aside my art (though Caroline Hofmann never did and continued to ask what I had created lately!!). I have begun to change that.
Then there are those things that you discover, that you never knew you were missing. And they aren't the things you can change. So the only way to not live with regret or wish for it... is to decide to be content with the life that you chose. I know we get wiser as we get older and maybe some decisions were made when I was young without realizing. One of my teachers in high school once told me that he made decisions in college that maybe weren't what he would do today. He got married early and had wanted to do more academically. He did later. He also told me that I should try medical illustration, worrying that I wouldn't be able to support myself in an art career. He didn't understand that all I've ever wanted to do was be an artist since before I could write words! (I did illustrate a medical booklet for an orthopedic surgeon at Ohio State...and didn't like it at all!). What I learned from him was that I didn't want to live with regrets. But truths can sneak up on you and before you know it, you're not ignorant anymore. I recently found myself with a regret I didn't know I had. So now I have to find my bliss again. I will. As far as my art goes, just know that you have been a big reason that I am happy creating again!
3 comments:
I say live your life passionately. If you're passionate about something apply it to your life. Then the regrets you feel will be few and far between. Because it is better to try and fail than to never try at all!
Love,
Julie
You, my darling, are on the very best road. We all have regrets that pop up from time to time, hindsight is a wonderful thing! But what do we do with them? It's that part that is key to us moving forward and into bliss. Whatever that may be......
Wonderful post!
Cherry Menlove
Well, I think I'm glad I may have inspired you. But I certainly wouldn't want you to be less that content :) Its always a struggle, doing what you love, doing what you don't love. Always a struggle. Things are never perfect here. There are always regrets, no matter the path, but I think its just perspective. Right now, those few months I took off about 8 years ago to only take take of my third baby and the house seem like bliss. I forget though that I felt unfulfilled at times. Even now, with lots moving forward, I have days where I wonder if its worth it. For every visible success that I have, there are at least that many things that fell through or didn't come to fruition. Anything that is worth it is going to be hard. I've come to develop a philosophy that seems obvious but here it is: You should always only do what you love, at the very least you'll be doing what you love! You are not doing your children any favors if you put off every dream for them. They need a happy mom. I think every child should witness their parents seeking out their goals, whether its in the home or out of the home, whether its the perfect pie crust or landing a giant client. Your interest in their lives is what they'll remember. Just my little thoughts though. Thanks for the nice words :)
With my love, Anna Maria
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