How to Stay Encouraged

Almost a month ago, I made the decision to work solely on my art (click here to read more about that.) The first week was magical. Everything seemed to be falling into place. I was writing, painting, and making jewelry. The ideas were flowing. Inspiration was alive and well. Now as I approach the end of the month, those old demons of "you need to get a job" and "this will never work" are coming back to hang out on my shoulders. My yoga practice has suffered, my meditation practice is burdened, and my art just makes me shake my head. I know that every life has it's highs and lows. So I've tried to distract myself by going to the beach, helping out with a local library project, and catching up with my favorite bloggers. This morning as I made the rounds, I found this inspiring video of actress Jenifer Lewis speaking at a conference (warning: she uses a few strong words).



Two of the gems in this video for me were:

"The elevator to success is broken, take the stairs."
What a visual. We all know that good things take time and work, but this image just hit home for me. I know a lot of people who are living their dream write now, and it's easy to get down in the dumps on myself because I'm not where they are. They didn't get there overnight, though. They fought their own battles to get to where they are. Sometimes this staircase seems endless, and the stairs almost to tall to step up on, but I have to keep pushing. This is the journey, it's the only one I get, and I want to be present for it.

"Do your work."
I have always felt that if I did my work, the work of my passion, then everything else would fall into place. I got a little lost these past few days trying to wrap myself in other people's success, instead of doing my own work. I know some days I will have to fake it 'til I make it, but I know if I just do my work then the rest will come. I have to believe that.

So, I'm feeling a little more encouraged today to push through the dark cloud that has been hanging over me. I know that this is all a process and that I have to yield to it.