Thursday's Thought

Over the weekend, the babe and I joined friends for a pottery painting outing. When we were invited, I thought it would be a fun way to spend a morning and had visions of the girls creating charming holiday gifts while we all talked and laughed. Upon arriving at the studio, we chose a few pieces, a palate of colors, and set to work. While the girls eagerly dove in, throwing paint onto their pieces (and themselves) with wild abandon, I became laser-focused on staying exactly within the lines of the snowflake pattern on my ornament. Within minutes, I found myself frowning and grinding my teeth each time my colors escaped their boundaries. 

As I looked over at the girls, I marveled at their sheer joy. It occurred to me our experiences were more informed by our intention than the outcome. Their imaginations were enabling them to create beauty, while my rigid adherence to how I thought my piece "should" look led only to frustration. 

Whether or not you have a gift for the visual arts, we all have the capacity to enjoy the creative process. Can you set aside your expectations and tap into your inner artist?