Monday, October 4, 2010

Letting Go of the Have-to’s

In the essay “Close the Board Room Closet”, in the book Life is a Verb, Patti Digh shares the day her head exploded because of the length of her to-do list.

She also shares how writer Toni Morrison, who had experienced a similar head explosion herself,  realized that what it all came down to was not the entire list, but “what you have to do or die !”.

For Morrison, that was raise her children and write. For Patti, I am sure it is something similar to that.

Well, for me,

the what I have to do or die is pretty simple too.

I need to love my peeps really deeply.

And I need to create.

 

(All photos from my new Sony Cybershot 10XZoom, 14.1 megapixel point and shoot – an early  pressie for my upcoming birthday from the sweet Man I love !  Dig the panorama !)

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(Hampton Beach, NH – The Rock Fairy needed some supplies.)

DSC00042(Our side porch with fall mums on a perfect Fall day.  )

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(Furry kids Little Boo, Chica Lulu, and Azzy-Cat)

So I made the decision to quit my part time job at the Halloween store at the end of this week.

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I kinda hated it, you see.

Not only that, but it was making me feel like I had no choice but to to say no to some great creative opportunities because I didn’t have the time, energy or inspiration left to create with !

I was saying no to what is so important to me  in order to make a few bucks to help out our budget at a job I hated!

That stopped me in my tracks !

I let go of the have-to.

(Thanks to my cheerleaders, Mom and David, who supported me all the way through !)

Since letting go, I have received a few orders for my arty stuff that will end up paying me almost the same as what I would make in a few weeks of work at the store.

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I have had the chance to complete another piece of art for possible publication.

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And the best thing of all ?

I feel like an Artist again.

I am freer, more energized and more inspired than I have been in quite a long while !

I am including this story here for a few reasons.

One is so that I will remember when I come down to the have-to’s or the real want to’s of life, I need to have faith in what my heart and soul really want to do !

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And also because I want to encourage you, Beautiful Ones, to think about that list of

have-to’s that you feel like you have to hold on to.

Are there any of them that you could let go of and free your self up for the things you need to do or die ?

If you are afraid, I so completely get it.

But do it anyway.

Live your one precious life, Beautiful Ones, and know

that the universe is conspiring in your favor.

19 comments:

Rita Vindedzis said...

Wow, I so feel your joy and freedom Kim! Bravo for taking the leap. It's not so hard when you have the love an support that you obviously do. All the best on your creative journey. I so agree with that quote you shared on FB-I believe the universe IS conspiring in your favor. xo

I'm also surprised at how similar Boo is to my Nami and Azzy-Cat is to my Iggy. Too cute!

lyle said...

kim, three cheers for you. I could tell you were unhappy! why must we make our selves unhappy over money! not a good idea. you guys will find a way and you will be a better , happier person for it! and now that you have decided I'll ask my question again I think you missed it! could you tell me the price for a large bag of word stones plus freight for Toni's patients at the hospital? she's about run out!

Unknown said...

Oh I LOVE this post! Just the kick in the pants I needed.

And how cool is it when the universe conspires like that? I'm so happy for you!!

Cheri said...

beautiful post Kim - and kudos to you for being brave enough to walk away from what didn't matter to make time for what does!

patti said...

Yay for you Kim! You are an artist first and foremost, so a brilliant decision!

Anonymous said...

I would like to exchange links with your site queen-of-arts.blogspot.com
Is this possible?

Dianne said...

You so rock! I would have made the same decision... Never look back!

Olivia said...

So much news and excitement here, My Queen!

I haven't finished reading your post yet, but I have to say, YAY I'm glad you're out of retail!!! I do not see My Queen in this particular job and am glad she is out.

(Continuing to read...)

I like the panorama effect of your camera. And that you live in a yellow house--what is more cheerful and delightful than a yellow house? And...your pets are so cute!

Life is TOO short to do things you hate, My Queen. You are so creative, inventive, beautiful, inspired---a queenly artist---and I am glad that you are able to be who you are NOW!

Great, great news,

xoO

beth said...

i'm so glad you quit that job....that you had the support and the guts to say "no thanks....i'm an artist and i need to breathe".....

xox

Mary said...

Glad you are following your heart! :)

love the photos!!

Blessings and hugs!!

Priti Lisa said...

YaY! No more draining icky job! You are an inspiration on how to live, what is really important, and mostly, how to be all that God(ess) intended you to be. I believe you've just scored an A++++
Love to you and Rock on Girl :o)

Sueann said...

I can feel that freedom and joy that you are sharing about!! So glad for you
Hugs
SueAnn

Anonymous said...

I need constant reminders of this... let go the stuff you don't want so you can make room for the stuff you DO want. So glad your courageous heart is leading the way!!

Cindy said...

Good for you Kim, you knew what was important...knowing that is a real gift sometimes. Glad you can be your artist again. awesome.

Luna Art said...

Very inspirational post! It is the fear of letting go that usually stops you and when you take that leap you wonder what you were so afraid of in the first place! Lovely photos with your new camera x

Luna Art said...

Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blog! Your work is amazing so you have really boosted my confidence with your comments. I have only been art journalling for 4 months and am still very unsure of my work which is why I don't post a lot of it. Thank you again for your kind words x

Karin Bartimole said...

sounds like a PERFECT birthday present for yourself!! good for you! leaps of faith are scary, when they hit the financial/security button especially, but change can't happen without the leap, as you well know. I hear the faith and trust your spirit has that all will be well, and better than that, all will be better-best!!!
much love for you,
Karin

SE'LAH... said...

you are so beautiful...in words and deeds. Loving the pics from the new camera. Hope your birthday and each day is all that you hope it to be.

p.s. i think the rock fairy has created another rock fairy ;)

Bethany said...

good for you kim!
love seeing the fur kids!
So so cute!