......Patience

Working towards something is always exciting. The planning, the discovery of direction, building upon an artistic breakthrough, all these aspects are obvious motivators to help you get where you want to be. What do you do on those days they desert you?

How do you stay focused when the excitement of the journey dries up? You know the days I'm talking about, you've filled out and submitted all the forms there are to fill out and now have to wait for the response, you've submitted the artwork weeks before the deadline and now have nothing left to do but wait to hear the results. Your long term goals are just that....Long Term. So when there is nothing to do at the moment to contribute towards that goal, how do you stay on point?

I find it very easy to get distracted and frustrated during these down times, questioning if this is the right goal, looking in other directions to see if there is something else better suited. Limbo, it's a dangerous place to be. So how do you stay on point?

I honestly don't know the answer to this, it's something I struggle with constantly. I'm not an instant gratification person, I understand the value of putting in the work to get the outcome you want, but when those "hurry and wait" times hit, I get all kinds of antsy.

This week has been like that, there are exciting things in the works, but as is the case in life, some decisions can't be made until other aspects are decided. Those aspects can't be decided until more information has been acquired.........so here's where we are, hurry up and wait.

Today I almost reached my threshold of patience. So frustrated with the inability to take immediate action, I started to form a plan. But how do you determine the difference between a Reactionary Response and a Spontaneous Inspiration?

I think the answer lies in your ability to be brutally honest in your motivation. Are you reacting to a frustrating situation and a feeling of no control? Or were your eyes opened to a new venue that cast light onto a deep desire you never knew you had? Mine today? Utter reactionary response, no doubt. So to counter it, I focused on my art, worked on my photography, made a fabulous beef stew in the crock pot and reminded myself that in this particular situation, not only is patience a virtue, it's a must!

Today's found moment is that I, and only I, have the ability to reign in my impatient inner child stamping her little foot in frustration. It's important to keep moving forward with your dreams, but on those rare occasions where you have a moment to catch your breath, do so and relish it for they are few and far between.