Brave

capable

You can do this.

This is not the hardest thing you've ever done.

It is not very likely that anyone in the meeting is going to throw up on you, bite you or cry continuously until you give them some breast milk.

If they don't like what you are presenting it is not the end of the world.

You can try again.

Or try somewhere else.

I know. 

You could start a new career.  Maybe you could become an orthodontist. Then you wouldn't  have to worry about the kids crooked teeth that they clearly inherited from your side of the family. You could get a fish tank and a lava lamp for the waiting room. Doctor in front of your name would have a nice ring to it.

No, no. No new career.

This is what you are good at. They are going to love you.

And if they don't?

Well you've got those people back at home and a drawing table waiting for you.

Pisces of Mind

fluid

I love to swim under water for as long and deep and as far as I can hold my breath.

There is something about the sensation of being part of the water that makes me feel as if I am elsewhere. 

Elsewhere is so quiet. I can't hear the phone ringing or someone calling my name.

No travel to the mountains or a busy city can transport you in such a way. Under the water I become another particle floating around with the fish. I am a rock or a seashell for a few moments.

The closest thing to this temporary escape is that small window of time between dreaming and being awake. My conscious self can see the reality that looms just past the dream and my dream self can see that dream world floating away as the alarm clock gets louder and louder.

I know that I must swim back to the surface for a breath of my own reality which is all the more beautiful having been gone from it.

Live in Stereo

popular

When I was a kid, I was always hearing grown-ups give the advice, "Just be yourself." and people will like you for who you are.

"Wrong!" is what I wanted to say.

The truth is, be yourself and some* people will like you for who you are. 

These people (who like you) will turn out to be just the kind of people that you want and need to be your friends. All your bad personality traits that have kept you from making friends with the wrong people are actually just a filter to keep those undesirables at a distance.

Besides, you won't want to be a jerk as much with your real friends because you love them and don't want to hurt their feelings. If you are a jerk (by accident) chances are one of your people will forgive you. 

If they don't? Well that's just another filter.

*Some is really all you need.

Happy Valentine's Day

Free printable Valentines on my website.

Click here for the page.

Painting is Messy

suspense

The Illustration Friday post  is on the Atlanticmo blog today since I painted it with actual paint.