Just a little …

It seems when considering any possible change or unknown adventure, if I just crack the door open a little, amazing things start to happen.

This evening before dinner, instead of putting it off again, I allowed myself an hour to do some art. I was amazed what flowed out onto the page. I sketched it in pencil & then outlined it with a permanent pen. After several sketch attempts, I finally found a winner. It looks awesome. My confidence rose another little notch.

Another day this week I’ll apply the watercolor.

This experience confirms to me again why facing fear and moving beyond it is so important. Fears are not always facts. There may be something awesome waiting on the other side of that door.

As long as I keep the door shut, there’s no way of knowing what’s on the other side. Of course fear, in its attempt to protect me, always thinks the worst is waiting for me.

If I had let my fears stop me, I would never have the life I have now.

Looking back over my life, I realize if I’d let my fears stop me:

• I never would’ve left home to attend college out of state.

• I never would’ve traveled alone to the British Isles.

• I never would’ve moved to Los Angeles where I met my best friend and many wonderful people from all over the world, and had the most meaningful career of my life.

• I never would’ve become a mother.

• I never would’ve sought help for my child with ADHD because my husband didn’t approve. That help made all the difference in our child’s life.

I never would’ve left my husband and home at age 60 and started a new life.

• I never would’ve have taken writing classes and discovered I’m a good writer and that I love writing children’s stories.

• I never would’ve taken a picture book writing class at UCLA that led me to discover the artist within me that wants to illustrate my stories.

• I never would’ve moved to Oregon at age 70.

• I never would’ve considered adopting a dog that I now love more each day.

If I let my fears stop me, I won’t keep coming back to try again and again and again to create my own art for my stories.

Each time I enter my art studio, I crack the door open just a little bit more.