Meg, of Elsie Marley is at it again...challenging us to push our creative limits. I've loved following along with her in past creative assignments and even joined in this past fall making a new pillow.
This year she's kicking the series off with a new name...
And, the first assignment... To inspire yourself.
Hmmm...so I don't necessarily think of myself of as the kind of person who says or thinks "Inspiring things", not that I don't think that I can occasionally be inspiring, but that's different... So, I was stumped for this assignment, until Tara suggested that I merely think of some "mundane mom advice"... and so I did...
It's a bit cliche, and not super inspiring, but it was inspired.
Recently I've found myself talking about practice to a variety of different people. I had a conversation with Violet about practicing after she became frustrated that she couldn't do a push up with me. I explained to her that even exercise takes practice, it's hard! You need to practice push ups and sit ups and running and swimming. It's even hard for adults, we need to practice those things too so that we can get stronger and faster and better. She looked at me incredulously at first and then tried another push up...
Another time recently, I was talking to a fellow parent at Henry's preschool and she was asking me how I learned to sew and saying that she knows how to sew hems and curtains, etc. but that she could never sew clothes for her kids. She asked how I learned. Honestly, and I say this all the time, it just takes practice! I've never taken a sewing class or lesson. My mom taught me some as a child/teenager, but really I just decided that I wanted to do it and so I did... I sew a little something many days. I dive into projects that I am uncertain how they will turn out and if I am good enough of a sewer to succeed...but I try. And all of that trying is practice, practice!
And, recently for me I've reminded myself to practice...I am not very good at small talk, at making conversation with new people, at making friends...I'm a home body and am perfectly content that way. But, I've been trying to practice breaking out of that shell, being less shy, working at small talk and heading out of the house without kids or my husband!
Really, it all takes practice...
I'm not a great artist, the second part of the challenge was to write down our "inspirational quote". Ahem, so I practiced painting...it's not terribly pretty or nice, but it did give the three of us creative time painting at the table together. As a reminder to always practice I've taped up my little "inspiration" in all it's mediocre glory where I will see it everyday, right near another favorite quote of mine from Scott Nearing ...
The assignment was due today...but I don't think that should stop you from trying if you haven't already! Need some help hearing yourself...Meg shares some great tips here!
