SWING BATTER SWING!

Today is the first day of my winter vacation and I have kicked it off with some coffee heavily laden with Bailey's.  I have fire in my belly thus I am inspired to share with you.  A friend retired yesterday from a job she hated.  She looked shell shocked that this part of her life was over.   I did my best to let her see the departure as an amazing gift.  It is an opportunity to reconnect with all that gives her joy.  My friend, despite being almost 55, looks 40 and acts 20.  She has survived much and has managed to keep her sense of humour in tact.   I gifted her 2 books, one was lined and one had blank pages, the cover read, "Do What You Love."  Years ago she had introduced me to a book called "The Artist's Way," by Susan Cameron.  It is a life line for artists experiencing a block.   Daily writing and artistic exercises gently coax their gift out of hiding.   My friend is an artist, but like 99% of artists (myself included) she struggles with the fear of rejection and failure.   I have several projects on the go and want very much for her to do the art work for one of them.  She timidly shared her sketches with me once years ago and I was blown away.  Those that know her would find it really odd to ever hear her described as timid.  Artists' work is their child and they protect it so much often they stunt instead of nurturing its growth.   One of the great gifts of aging is how you find yourself caring less about what others think.   You find no need to filter yourself because you are acutely aware that time is a cruel bitch and she isn't waiting for you to catch up.   There is no room in this life for doing anything half-way.   Not every time at bat are we going to hit that ball out of the park and it doesn't matter!  Swing batter swing!   When the ball connects that crack will vibrate through you and it will be the sweetest music you'll ever know.  Pick up your pencil my friend and regret nothing.  No more dreams deferred, the time for joy is now.   I am raising my cup to you today Cherie and so together let's win this game called life.  xo