When Life Bites-Bite Back

Life can be amazing — like a beautiful piece of coral. But sometimes, when you least expect it, it bites you right in the hynnie.  This year my rear end is a little sore.  I think I am a well-adjusted, balanced person who has a grasp of the complexity of life.  But the fact remains, I feel stretched.  Is it because I run on too many cylinders?  Maybe I didn’t plan for the future.  Maybe I’m not learning the right lessons.  Perhaps all three. What ever it is, I have never felt so much stress and pressure in my life.  Is this just a sign of the times to come?  Gosh, I hope not.

All the little things that are supposed to make your life easier just seem to add to the To-Do List and consume your time – and not in a productive way.  The learning curve is huge!  First I was supposed to Tweet (who has the time?) and then I am supposed to Link-In with people whom I barely know (for what?).  I use Facebook to stay in the loop ( boring after a few weeks except for the photos and personal contact).  I will never want to know what Disney character someone is, ever!  I feel like my time chart is being maxed out.  It’s actually hard to believe that just over a decade ago most people didn’t have cell phones.  Seriously, is that rediculous or what!  My children had to seek out a land line to call home to let me know they were alright.  Now a fast thumb can text message in the blink of an eye.

The bite felt this year is a hard one because it’s a financial bite and what I have worked to achieve for the last 20 years has been taken away. Financial loss takes away your freedom. Your freedom to choose, to do, to act, to play, to comfort. Trust me, I still live quite well but it is definately in an altered state as I work three jobs to keep it all going.  I do not want to go too far backwards and let my art slip to the wayside.  It would be easier to let it go in many ways as it a time consuming process, but it’s my true passion.  I believe there is a place for me in the art world.  So I am biting back and trying to prove to myself (and others) that this is the right journey to be on.  Although it is a huge struggle, my painting sales are up even in a down market.  

Now that’s the kind of biting I like!