WOW!

What wonderful back to back weekends we've had for Chester Bowl Fall Fest and the Lake Superior 2020 Studio Art Tour. 

I used to get so stressed over getting enough done and ready for these big events. I still work hard to have new art and cards available, but it's finally sinking in that worrying and staying up late to add one more item does not help the situation. 

In paying attention to what my body needs (some nutrition and rest) and slowing down enough to watch things unfold with an attitude of acceptance (there are always going to be glitches or things you wanted to go differently), I have managed to stay in a more balanced emotional space rather than riding that roller coaster of reaction the way I used to.

There is a Buddhist allegory of a musician who felt he was not getting his practice right. The Buddha asked him about the stringed instrument he played. What happens when the strings are tuned too tightly? The sound will be shrill and unbearable. And if the strings are too loose? There will be little sound at all.

Though Buddha was referring to a person's meditation practice, I think we can also compare a tight string to a high pitched energy in which we are flying around trying to do everything at once and reacting to problems that arise in un-useful ways.  When we are too loosely tuned, we can become so sluggish we can't face the things we need to do at all.

Lately, my family has been helpful in pointing out when I am racing and quite obviously getting stressed. When they call it to my attention, it helps me heighten my own awareness of it. Now if they notice I am getting too wound up, I often respond with "Yup. I can feel it in my body". Then I can consciously relax with a few deep breaths or even take a short walk to bring myself back to middle ground - to "just right" tuning.

The other extreme is a sluggish one in which we just drop out and cannot motivate ourselves to do anything at all. There is nothing wrong with taking a break and in fact, it's vital that we do so, but in the middle of trying to finish a project or prepare for an event, I am learning to try to keep a steady pace. Just keep working on the list, but don't get agitated with people who may be attempting to help. Maintain a mid-speed energy with presence and awareness of how your actions affect the people around you and your own well-being.

That said, my family and guest artists were amazing at pitching in to pull off another fabulous 2020 studio tour! Thank you to everyone who visited over the weekend and to friends who came to the barbecue and poetry reading Saturday night. I really felt embraced by all of your support. 

And to all of you out there tuning in to my little updates. You too are an integral part of my creative journey. I love sharing my news - good or difficult - and staying in touch, so THANK YOU for being here.