When I travel, I glow. I love it with all my heart. There is something about being in a new place, unfamiliar, with new sights, sounds, and energies that brings me alive. All of my senses are blown wide open. I get overwhelmed but in the best way possible.
I had the immense joy and good fortune to be able to spend the long Thanksgiving weekend with a family friend who I haven't seen in more than 25 years. Our hanging out together was way overdue. What made it even more special was that my son and brother were there too. So I had family and "framily" (friends who are family) surrounding me for five delightful days during my journey.
She happens to be in Albuquerque and so that was where we went. Though the point of the trip was to just be together and to connect, of course we took the opportunity to explore Albuquerque and the Santa Fe area too. I know that Santa Fe is known for it's vibrant art scene, but it was the art of Albuquerque that caught my attention. It has a certain edge to it that I just love.
While I was there I reflected a lot on the role my art plays on this new work-life path of mine. Before I left my desk job of 21 years art was something that was on the side. It was something that fit in around the busy days of work and raising my son. Now that I am working for myself, and my son is an adult, I have more time to devote to my art. Yet I find myself often continuing to relegate it to the side. Why?!
When I left my long-time job I gave myself the grace to explore all the different opportunities that came my way. I've said yes to many different and divergent things over the last year and a half. Some things have worked, some haven't. Some were loads of fun and others were a lot of work but maybe not exactly what I thought the might be. I've learned so much about myself in the process. I feel that this approach has served me well.
Yet.
My art ~ painting, creating altered books, working on assemblage art pieces ~ during this time has seemed to sit patiently waiting for me to finish all the other things before I sit down in my studio. This trip to New Mexico has me pondering that in a very deep and profound way. I came home with more questions than I set out with. What role does making art play in this new world of creativity as a career? Should it continue to be something personal and on the side? Or should it be front and center and the core of my business and how I earn a living? Or something in between?
The spiral is associated with wind, water, spiritual
emergence, and an individual's journey through life.
I will be spending the shortest, darkest days of the year mulling over exactly this. Actually, it's something I love doing year round ~ reflecting, discovering more about myself, and going within. It's just that it's convenient here in the northern hemisphere that the winter solstice season is perfect for this kind of activity.
How about you? Do you take time each year-end to reflect on your path in life? Where you've been, where you're at, and where you're going? It can be tricky to make time for that if it's something you enjoy, after all, it's the holiday season and there are lots and lots of other obligations pulling on your attention and time.
So give yourself some grace, do what you can, and remember to take some quiet time for yourself to do whatever it is you love doing most this time of the year. Maybe you'll end up answering some core questions about your life too in the process.
You can find my art at indigomoone.com.
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