I love this reflection Kateri. Your ability to set down clearly thoughts, recognitions and ideas to plan for today and tomorrow. Take any paragraph, insert Judy’s very similar, yet different, dreams and there you go, my response to your query. My dearest, longest friendship is tied up with a woman that sees me in ways I know are true. Kate said “Judy you are a dreamer, and it’s a beautiful thing.”
An example of not giving up dreams. Two days ago Chris and I were driving route 240, and I sort of moaned about the fact that I had yet to see an eagle. Chris had seen two, just the week before, on this route. My friend Paul is the eagle whisperer and seems to see them daily. I closed my eyes and sighed a hope out into the universe. Two hours later, in our backyard, an adult eagle swooped through, low in flight. I marveled, I was awe struck and then wondered if it was real. Yes it was, Chris had watched with me. Yet, I felt unsure. Twenty minutes later, same path, same level of flight. The totality of this experience reminded me to keep faith, in myself, my connection to ‘everything bigger’ than I can fully grasp. And never let go of my dreams.🕊️🦅
Wow, Judy. What an incredible story/example. I got goosebumps imagining your awe. Our connection to everything bigger that we can fully grasp is a pretty amazing thing. From one dreamer to another...thank you! 🩵
For some reason, this reminds me of the time I told someone that my daughter is an artist, and she laughed. "What's so funny?", I asked. She stammered a bit, then told me that it was the way I said it. The way I said it? I just said it. I didn't say it in any particular way. Upon reflection, I realized that she was probably doubtful that anyone could make it as an artist. I don't remember who she was, but it is in these ways that others pull our dreams out from under us. Haha, your daughter is an artist? Well, as a matter of fact, she is a set dresser, draper and welder for the film industry. And I mean big films, like Jumanji 2, and The Color Purple. The memory of that woman's reaction still makes me feel insecure and doubtful, not only about Maren's dreams, but of my own. I always wanted to be an artist, too. Some might say I am, others may try to pull me down. It's not easy to be a dreamer. I love this piece, Kateri. Thank you ❤️.
I hesitate to use the word artist because of exactly what you write here...many people do not really understand what the word means. It is such an all encompassing word, really, and applicable to each of us in one way or another. I love that you used the word to describe your daughter's vocation and self. The word can simply mean someone who is very skilled at what he or she does. And it can mean so much more. But, like you, I have found people stereotyping it into some kind delusion of being in the word, surviving without doing real work. it's very strange. I am glad you said it and we should not feel like we need to explain it! You are, in every way, my friend, an artist. In so so many ways! You always have been. xoxo Thank you.
You will hold your published novel in your hands. The smile and joy on your face will be wonderful to behold. And we will all be enriched by your courage to follow your most heart-and-soul-cherished of dreams.
You have already done so many wonderful things, Kateri but writing your book has a deep place in your heart. Write it. Please don't listen to anyone about what you should or shouldn't do. We only need to answer to ourselves; that is a lesson that has taken me a lifetime to learn.
I could never understand why one would discourage anyone whatever their dreams are. Who are they to know what’s good/interesting to you? Whatever happens, even if you didn’t get published, you will have worked at it, given your novel a form, care, attention, you will have toiled and spent good and difficult hours on it. That’s a powerful endeavor. It nourishes your very being. It is an accomplishment in itself. And being published is not solely a matter of talent. It also relates to connections, networks, chance… some famous (today) authors got a horrible number of rejections before they were published. Should they have stopped? I think not. They knew they needed to be writers. That’s a gut knowledge.
Your words resonate with a lot of people. Here, on Patreon, on YouTube, in your own school. That’s a lot too. You’ve already published fantastic books about drawing and watercolor. You give talks. Art societies are interested in what you have to say.
Some people just have no imagination and prefer to try and disparage artists. It’s an attitude. And a silly one. Even if someone shows no talent.
I think being able to survive financially and not become a burden on others can squash a lot of dreams. Most find ways to live their dreams without earning a living from them. Gut knowledge is so vital, isn't it? You always bring me more to think about. Thank you, Agnès xo
This is such a good topic. Encouragement is so important and the absence of it can eat away creativity. Dreams come and go. Dreams that stay should not be ignored. BEGIN IT NOW. That’s my new mantra. 💕💕
I look at all you have already done with your art, art books and community and think of course she will hold this published novel of hers in her hands. Look at your track record! You continue to share your vision of the world and beautiful things.
You are definitely not alone in the struggle to wonder if you can hold the next dream long enough to see it through, to not be waylaid by things and figuring out what is most important to focus on.
As each year passes, I can see how fleeting life really is and yet find myself frozen at times or focusing on the wrong things, rather than putting that urgency into my dreams. As you said, everything fascinates. Such is the fate of curious souls and beauty seekers. (I too am fascinated by the fields of oscillating wild grasses)
For me, so many decades of being directed from the outside: listening to and meeting the needs and wants of others made it a necessity to carve out time for myself to keep my dreams alive.
Yet now with a empty nest, seemingly 'blessed' with vast hours in a day to live my dreams, I struggle to direct myself from the inside, make that same time for myself, and to not get lost in my days doing useless things. Afraid that the dreams will take too long and maybe it is too late to begin, yet days go by.
So, your blog today was timely. I need to make time to try to separate the wheat from the chaff figure out what dream(s) needs to be prioritized and what I have outgrown or dont need to focus on. As always thank you for your words. Wishing you luck on your novel!
Ari! I love your comment “being directed from the outside”. As moms we spend a lot of time with that and as workers we spend even more time. When we have all the time for ourselves, it does seem as though we are frozen. I’m fascinated by everything and everyone creative, yet my dreams seem to always be on hold. 💕 Such is the beauty of life
"Such is the fate of curious souls and beauty seekers. (I too am fascinated by the fields of oscillating wild grasses)" ohhhhh a kindred spirit in yet another way. I love it. I understand all that you shared here in my own way. I hope you are energised to begin it now, too. Thank you Ari xo
Well, well, well.
I love this reflection Kateri. Your ability to set down clearly thoughts, recognitions and ideas to plan for today and tomorrow. Take any paragraph, insert Judy’s very similar, yet different, dreams and there you go, my response to your query. My dearest, longest friendship is tied up with a woman that sees me in ways I know are true. Kate said “Judy you are a dreamer, and it’s a beautiful thing.”
An example of not giving up dreams. Two days ago Chris and I were driving route 240, and I sort of moaned about the fact that I had yet to see an eagle. Chris had seen two, just the week before, on this route. My friend Paul is the eagle whisperer and seems to see them daily. I closed my eyes and sighed a hope out into the universe. Two hours later, in our backyard, an adult eagle swooped through, low in flight. I marveled, I was awe struck and then wondered if it was real. Yes it was, Chris had watched with me. Yet, I felt unsure. Twenty minutes later, same path, same level of flight. The totality of this experience reminded me to keep faith, in myself, my connection to ‘everything bigger’ than I can fully grasp. And never let go of my dreams.🕊️🦅
Wow, Judy. What an incredible story/example. I got goosebumps imagining your awe. Our connection to everything bigger that we can fully grasp is a pretty amazing thing. From one dreamer to another...thank you! 🩵
For some reason, this reminds me of the time I told someone that my daughter is an artist, and she laughed. "What's so funny?", I asked. She stammered a bit, then told me that it was the way I said it. The way I said it? I just said it. I didn't say it in any particular way. Upon reflection, I realized that she was probably doubtful that anyone could make it as an artist. I don't remember who she was, but it is in these ways that others pull our dreams out from under us. Haha, your daughter is an artist? Well, as a matter of fact, she is a set dresser, draper and welder for the film industry. And I mean big films, like Jumanji 2, and The Color Purple. The memory of that woman's reaction still makes me feel insecure and doubtful, not only about Maren's dreams, but of my own. I always wanted to be an artist, too. Some might say I am, others may try to pull me down. It's not easy to be a dreamer. I love this piece, Kateri. Thank you ❤️.
I hesitate to use the word artist because of exactly what you write here...many people do not really understand what the word means. It is such an all encompassing word, really, and applicable to each of us in one way or another. I love that you used the word to describe your daughter's vocation and self. The word can simply mean someone who is very skilled at what he or she does. And it can mean so much more. But, like you, I have found people stereotyping it into some kind delusion of being in the word, surviving without doing real work. it's very strange. I am glad you said it and we should not feel like we need to explain it! You are, in every way, my friend, an artist. In so so many ways! You always have been. xoxo Thank you.
You will hold your published novel in your hands. The smile and joy on your face will be wonderful to behold. And we will all be enriched by your courage to follow your most heart-and-soul-cherished of dreams.
Thank you, KItty. I'm not pushing it aside any more. It is on my list of must dos every day but one this week :)
You have already done so many wonderful things, Kateri but writing your book has a deep place in your heart. Write it. Please don't listen to anyone about what you should or shouldn't do. We only need to answer to ourselves; that is a lesson that has taken me a lifetime to learn.
You are so right. And write I will. Thank you, Mary Ann. xo
I could never understand why one would discourage anyone whatever their dreams are. Who are they to know what’s good/interesting to you? Whatever happens, even if you didn’t get published, you will have worked at it, given your novel a form, care, attention, you will have toiled and spent good and difficult hours on it. That’s a powerful endeavor. It nourishes your very being. It is an accomplishment in itself. And being published is not solely a matter of talent. It also relates to connections, networks, chance… some famous (today) authors got a horrible number of rejections before they were published. Should they have stopped? I think not. They knew they needed to be writers. That’s a gut knowledge.
Your words resonate with a lot of people. Here, on Patreon, on YouTube, in your own school. That’s a lot too. You’ve already published fantastic books about drawing and watercolor. You give talks. Art societies are interested in what you have to say.
Some people just have no imagination and prefer to try and disparage artists. It’s an attitude. And a silly one. Even if someone shows no talent.
Better things to do? Define « better »!!!!
Xoxo
I think being able to survive financially and not become a burden on others can squash a lot of dreams. Most find ways to live their dreams without earning a living from them. Gut knowledge is so vital, isn't it? You always bring me more to think about. Thank you, Agnès xo
This is such a good topic. Encouragement is so important and the absence of it can eat away creativity. Dreams come and go. Dreams that stay should not be ignored. BEGIN IT NOW. That’s my new mantra. 💕💕
Begin it now xoxo You are good at that already! Thank you, Sue xo
Dreams are necessary!!! They keep us happy and motivated!
Indeed! xo
Oh and Iforgot to add: what if? Your words, a lesson for all
Oh yes. Infamous words :) They work hard, those two words!
Oups ….. Daily Om not Daily Omega
You go, girl 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I found this on Daily Omega and I think you will agree with everything it says:
*****
I will start filling my own cup,
Being my own muse,
Knowing my own worth.
Loving my own skin,
Praising my own existence,
Validating my own journey,
Speaking my own truth,
Admiring my own reflexion,
Experiencing my own love,
Enjoying my own company,
Extending my own energy,
Creating my own paradise.
******
Have a great 4th of July, Kateri ❤️
😘 thank you. Sending you the biggest hug.
Yes. Yes to everything you said. XOXO
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I really needed these words today. Let's keep dreaming and doing with every crack of opportunity.
That novel will happen, I'm already looking forward to reading it. 💚
Hazel, thank YOU for reading and commenting. I needed the words, too. We will encourage one another. xo
I look at all you have already done with your art, art books and community and think of course she will hold this published novel of hers in her hands. Look at your track record! You continue to share your vision of the world and beautiful things.
You are definitely not alone in the struggle to wonder if you can hold the next dream long enough to see it through, to not be waylaid by things and figuring out what is most important to focus on.
As each year passes, I can see how fleeting life really is and yet find myself frozen at times or focusing on the wrong things, rather than putting that urgency into my dreams. As you said, everything fascinates. Such is the fate of curious souls and beauty seekers. (I too am fascinated by the fields of oscillating wild grasses)
For me, so many decades of being directed from the outside: listening to and meeting the needs and wants of others made it a necessity to carve out time for myself to keep my dreams alive.
Yet now with a empty nest, seemingly 'blessed' with vast hours in a day to live my dreams, I struggle to direct myself from the inside, make that same time for myself, and to not get lost in my days doing useless things. Afraid that the dreams will take too long and maybe it is too late to begin, yet days go by.
So, your blog today was timely. I need to make time to try to separate the wheat from the chaff figure out what dream(s) needs to be prioritized and what I have outgrown or dont need to focus on. As always thank you for your words. Wishing you luck on your novel!
Ari! I love your comment “being directed from the outside”. As moms we spend a lot of time with that and as workers we spend even more time. When we have all the time for ourselves, it does seem as though we are frozen. I’m fascinated by everything and everyone creative, yet my dreams seem to always be on hold. 💕 Such is the beauty of life
"Such is the fate of curious souls and beauty seekers. (I too am fascinated by the fields of oscillating wild grasses)" ohhhhh a kindred spirit in yet another way. I love it. I understand all that you shared here in my own way. I hope you are energised to begin it now, too. Thank you Ari xo