In kindergarten, I won third place for my watercolor painting of flowers. I remember the ribbon hanging on the wall. I wondered when someone would realize other paintings were better than mine, and snatch my glorious ribbon away.
Emily challenged us to think about art. Not the fancy, paint-brush-kind-of-art, but the art we create each day. The art that radiates from our homes, hearts, children, mouths, and choices in life.
And so I thought.
And then I realized, that time and again I deem my art not good enough, and I still worry about my ribbon being snatched away.
I dismiss the art in my life, often failing to acknowledge the beautiful right here, and that, my friends, isn’t what my journey is all about. So, today I am making a tiny effort to dismiss less and celebrate more, to notice my choices, blessings, and talents, and then, (here comes the hard part) share them.
What art am I celebrating today? This note. I discovered it crumpled in the junk drawer. Although it is far from junk, it is art I sometimes forget to celebrate. It's a reminder of the benefits in choosing to work part-time.
What art do you see in your life today? Do you celebrate the daily art, or are you holding out for that perfect, framed and finished product?
22 comments:
Aargh! You are so hitting home here! I always fall into that perfectionist category. If it's not "perfect" to me, then I don't want to put it out there. I need to learn that God likes whatever I bring, as long as it glorifies him.
This is hitting me too. Hard.
I need to loosen up and learn to enjoy and recognize the beauty in the small things, the imperfect, the flaws.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful, God-Given, PRICELESS art with me and my family!!
I am sooooooooooo happy you are part time!
I support you 110% girlfriend!
Awwww, our babies art is always the best kind of art EVER! Thanks for sharing it with us!
This is just the sweetest, Amy. I am celebrating the art of a snow play outside with my boys. One of them hit me smack in the back of the head with a snowball. I didn't think that was very artsy, but it sure was crafty. :) He sure liked it though.
I think your art gets the blue ribbon today.
Sara and Tracie,
Oh yeah, all my issues with perfectionism fall into this category for sure. Although I'm learning to work on it, I think embracing the imperfect will be something I always struggle with!
Debbie,
Thanks for your encouragement! Even though part-time can frustrate me $$$, it is so worth the trade off. For you too, right? Although you are so not part-time.
Laura,
That is exactly what I'm talking about. . .snowball fights with our kids.
THAT was your ribbon! Proudly display that ribbon as a reminder especially when it seems like someone's art may 'seem' better! Thank you for your post.
Love that little note. For sure, that's your ribbon!
I know that ugly friend perfectionism all too well. But sometimes, the Grace of True Beauty is found in the imperfect..
Beautiful! And a perfect reminder for me today to worry less about perfect and more about just being completely right there in the moment, whatever I may be doing.
Amy, pictures like that pull at the heart strings, don't they? I love those precious works of art that shout out love with every stroke of the marker or crayon.
This has me thinking-I don't really have an artistic side, but the way in which I try to make our home could be considered artistic. I try to create a warm, safe and loving place for my family to be together. That could be art. The art of love :)??
I also think about my little boys hands. I just love his fingers, they are so precious. I celebrate God's artwork whenever I look at those little fingers.
This was a gift, Amy, thank you :)
Not too long ago, I found a certificate of a writing award I'd won in 5th grade. The silly thing made me tear up. It probably didn't mean much then, but now as I struggle trying to find the right words for a freelance project or a newspaper article, it reminds me that God gave me just a little gift, even way back then. And He gave it to you too in the form of a ribbon. Your words are art!
Erin,
I think the way you set up your home is totally art! The feelings you hope to create in the place you spend the majority of your time. I love this idea.
Amanda,
Forget the 5th grade. If I had a writing award, I'd give it to you now. Your post at Mary Demuth's is still one of my favorites, and not just favorites at Mary's, but all-time favorites. In fact, I was writing something the other day, and I went back to it for inspiration.
I'm a person who struggles with words; I very much appreciate the artful way you express yourself. It's a gift.
I just read "about you" and I LOVE it that you admitted to not being consumed by "God, and Gracious Giving" Oh your honesty is beautiful. I am just like you... wanting to give more... take less... but its a struggle. THANK YOU
His art. Chubby, yummy toes...they get me every time...zerberts son pleads for and all of the dance of joy it brings...
and as a funny side note, when emily wrote about celebrating the art of every day i thought about my new year's resolution to bake more! i love it, but it's been crowded out...so i baked oatmeal choc chip bars (cookies take too long;) i stuck them in the oven (came to computer to blog) and they cooked too long...i cried:( they weren't perfect...you know what hubby, kids, others and i came around...loved them! oh my, work in MAJOR progress...
What a sweet, sweet note!! Love this post! And I love the look of your blog!
Thanks for visiting Treasured Chapters! :)
This is the my first time to your blog. I love the photos and layout, just gorgeous. Also, and more importantly, I like the positive vibe. I'm pretty sure your art from today could qualify as a Hallmark moment, in such a good way. I don't even have kids and I was all mushy looking at that note. Keep up the great work.
What a treasure that note is! I love art..I stink at it, but love it. :) My oldest daughter (8) is always drawing and painting. I encourage her all the time in it. I have even bought her books and let her watch videos about art since I am of no help.
well - art for me today is creating something beautiful even if it is painful...choosing to see the good in it...making real for me what I am telling my kids..I am working on being the real thing not just saying it...ok - words are my art. There..whew!
I love those kind of notes by the way..they are the best art:)
thinking of you too...miss ya
xo
do you have an email subscriber thingy?
T,
Yep, words are your art too. Subscriber? Yes siree.Right below my profile pic.
Mmm...so cute! Gonna look for the art in my day today!
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