January Greetings 

It is indeed a brand new year. Is your 2026 full of hopes and possibilities? Or, have you tasked yourself with some big goals?

I willingly and freely admit I do not make resolutions or set goals. Because, it is too much pressure and almost guaranteed failure on my part. Followed by disappointment in myself. e.g.-I have failed nearly every pop quiz, or keyboarding/typing test I’ve ever taken, EVER. My brain just seems to shutdown. It is not because I am unable to cope with pressure. It is more because I tend to be in a tense, pressure-filled mental state every day. Yes, I really do. I am so harsh with myself and set my personal expectations so high—much too high–if I am honest. And, yes it can be and is just as exhausting as you imagine it would be.

One of the only times my brain is not in a self induced pressure cooker, is when I create art. At this time, I can dive deeply into my mind and soul. I lose track of anyone or anything going on around me, including time. My brain manages to slow down, and it is pure joy and bliss. All the tabs in my brain are closed. And, art, beautiful art, is the only thing happening on my internal screen. This my friends, is when I am able to let go and NOT impose worry and stress on myself. Otherwise, my mind is a beehive of thoughts. The need for making art is like a vacation at the beach for my brain.

Let’s face it, life is so not easy. We (all) face different challenges and fight daily battles, both large and small. Today, I there are many societal expectations foisted on each of us. Be the mom, son, figure out who you are, become successful, look your best and successful. Unfortunately, many of us waste a lot of time chasing what we believe is expected. Losing sight of what real success means– for real contentment and happiness. Instead we carry this burden of expectation around like a yoke around our necks. Weighed down and miserable before we take a rare moment to escape and enjoy true freedom.

In actuality we are wasting a lot of precious time. We do not have to continue looking outside for what society wants us to believe is approval. We can allow ourselves to release those ideals and expectations. And when we can give up that fear…the real fun can start. In fact, acknowledging imperfection can be so freeing…Or, I imagine so…

Life is messy...as it’s meant to be. One second it is perfectly ordinary and mundane, another beautiful, and the next awful. Sometimes terrible things happen. Illness creeps, things go wrong unexpectedly and proceeds to tear lives to bits. There is too much anger, hunger, and death in this life. They all accumulate, taking space inside us as chapters in the of great book of our life.

All I can say for certain–is that it you cannot outrun it. There is only one real way out. Going day to day we will meet good, bad, happy and sad—it all finds us, eventually. Learning to have to roll with the ebb and flowing waves is the secret sauce. Get back up, again and again. Otherwise the alternative……sucks.

Me, I keep trying. I repeatedly pull myself up by the bootstraps. I try to refocus on each day, and keep moving—even if it is only sideways some days. Admitting that I have limitations really does not sit well with my heart and head. So, I am trying to learn when to relax and when to give myself some grace. If I need to, I readjust my goals to fit my reality and limits. Then I usually find I can get through the day and often meet those goals. I refuse to try to be supermom/woman any longer. Nor, am I capable of always being positive and upbeat–and that is okay. I am allowed to have a whinge from time to time. Just not everyday. Sometimes we just need to get on with things however slowly or imperfectly we do them. (whatever it is for you)

ART 2026

Until next we meet, take it easy on yourself. 
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