Sunday, July 19, 2009

If not now, when?


That question is directed at anyone who tends to postpone or procrastinate their life away. I went looking through my piles of art related stuff and came across a painting on a vintage page I did maybe a year or so ago. It was not very well done, it was an experiment, but I had wanted to start a new series. Well, that obviously didn't happen, lol! Until this weekend that is...I found it, and asked myself one of my favorite questions when I find myself putting off things that need to be done..'if not now, when?'. So I sat down and created a few of my girls, on beautiful old book pages.



There is an assumption that we have all the time in the world, when the truth is, it can be gone in a second. Instead of living in fear of that thought, it serves us well to remember that nothing is promised. So let's commit to looking at our excuses for not doing the things we want to do. If you hear that evil little excuse that says you don't have time, ask yourself, is this true? Sometimes we don't have time, it happens, don't beat yourself up for that. Life can be hectic, especially for those of you with children. You may have to sacrifice temporarily, until things settle down, and they will. But don't put things off until it is too late. If you have a passion for something, fit in a few moments a day working towards it. I cannot stress enough to people how important it is to add some joy to your life every day. Do one little thing that feels good, even if it is simply sitting quietly by a sunny window, enjoying a cup of your favorite beverage.

Creating art makes me happy, and this weekend, I fought those excuses, and got to work. I ended up with lots of new art, and a feeling of accomplishment. Tomorrow, I will have to fight procrastination again, but if I keep painting daily, it will become a habit, and then the excuses will become so quiet, they may as well not exist. At least I'm hoping :-D
Have a wonderful day!

18 comments:

Sue said...

EXCELLENT post!!! I confess that I recently have had a terrible habit of putting off things I would like to do, because I have felt that other things should be done instead. You are so right that events can change one's life in the blink of an eye.

Tomorrow I am going to make a point of doing something in my art, just for me - even if it is only for an hour.

I LOVE your girls on the vintage pages btw!

Fotf said...

I totally agree. When i had my son i had PND. Life for the first two years was a blur. As i got things back on track and the OCD subsided i divided my days into, one day housework the next something i enjoy. Now their a bit higgly piggly but i still make sure i get sometime for the things i like, why shouldn't i.Life is too short and the housework will still want doing it's never finished!

Jackie said...

So beautifully said :)

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

This so true! Lovely girls.

Judy said...

I love your new art on vintage pages. Great creativity!

Marlene said...

Your girls are beautiful.
I do procrastinate and need to record new tapes for my brain. I say I have to clean house instead of art and then neither gets done. Even when I do clean house it doesn't look like I did by the next day so I should just do the things I enjoy and pick up in the house as I can. I am going to finish some art projects today!

Art by Darla Kay said...

Beautiful artwork and great message too! Thanks!
Darla♥

Tracy Nuskey Dodson said...

I agree! Excellent post! One of my biggest goals this year is to stop putting things off until tomorrow but it's soooo hard. As much as I love to paint and work in my studio, I sometimes find myself avoiding it...I need a shrink!

I love the girls on the vintage papers...a lovely mix of new and old.
Tracy

Unknown said...

Hi there,

I stopped telling myself I don't have enough time and replaced it with I always have plenty of time to do the things that are most important to me.

I work a full time job too and I agree that it is important to follow your excitement if only for a few minutes a day. I find many ways of carving out time here and there to do what I love even if that means getting up at 4:30 am to do it. I love every minute I have! Now is all you will ever have. The question is what will you do with it?

Thanks so much for your visit. I appreciate your kind words.

Sending fairy wishes for a magnificent and magical Monday.

Cheers! =D
~Kitty Kellie

Jenn Klee said...

Yep...I'm a procrastinator as well; I particularly hate when I look forward to the weekend so I have time to paint and then it turns out I waste my whole weekend vegging in front of the tv...ugh...

Great work with the girls, I once joined an ATC swap where we had to use book pages and the results were truly awesome.

Jennifer Williams said...

Ugh, procrastination is my middle name! I have so many half finished projected it's scary. Your girls turned out great! Looks like they were worth the wait.

Pam of Always Artistic said...

Great Advice! Love the new girls!

Poetic Artist said...

Great Post..I am there putting off and saying I just do not have the time..Other things come first.
Thank you for reminding me, we only have now and later may never be.
Thanks,
Katelen

Anonymous said...

You are so right and I can never hear it enough, so thanks for saying it.

Unknown said...

I agree that it's so important to fit in some time do something that makes you happy! Your illustrations are fabulous! BTW, I laughed at your comment about wanting to be me for a week:) I just happened to be travelling a lot this year but usually my weeks consist of cooking, cleaning after my kids, breaking up their fights, etc..LOL! Have a great weekend!

Sandy xxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Betty,
So happy you posted this post. I know you are not alone girlfriend..! lol
Time is certainly a GIFT to us.
Each day is a Gift..
So we must use it purposeful..
you sound like you are doing well so don't worry.. as long as you have a grip as you do.. You wont stray.. Hugs, Darlene Pringle

Mandala Michelle said...

What a great post. I struggle with all the same excuses but am trying to paint or at least sketch a bit every day.

Mixed Media Martyr said...

I LOVE your yellow girl!! The mixture of colour and blank text areas is very eyecatching!!! Wonderful art.