Embracing Imperfection

Are you a perfectionist?   Do you make lists and get a little annoyed when you can't complete everything on those lists?  Do you suffer from do-overs because what you've done isn't quite good enough?  Or do you talk yourself into not starting something because you don't have time to finish it?  Or worse, you don't allow yourself to start something because "I can't do that"?

Over the summer, Leslie at Words of Me Project had a 31 Day Challenge to inspire creativity.  She issued prompts each day to help trigger some sleeping creativity in us.  I've watched as Leslie created all kinds of beautiful, artful things.  All the while telling myself, "I can't paint/create/do that".  You see, I let the perfectionist in me have the stronger voice.

I'm ready to change that reality.  A couple of weeks ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone with my big toe.  I pulled out the mod podge and covered a composition book with some pretty paper.  Not all that extreme, in fact the design is very low key.  But this little blank book will be placed in our Lactation Station (a.k.a. The Pump Room) at work for new mothers to journal if they so desire.  Idea inspired by The Milk Memos.  But I did something I wasn't used to doing. And it felt good.

And lately, I've been hopping around looking at blogs that show "how" to art journal.  And as much as I've told myself I can't do stuff like that, I think I can.  I think I can.  I think I can.  So I've gathered some acrylic paints that were on sale at Michael's and I'm going to get myself some paint brushes, grab my mod podge, embrace imperfection, and just do it.

I owe a big thanks to some of my fellow bloggers.  Thank you to Leslie, Cindi, and Leanne who toss inspiration my way.  And as I create, I will give you more links to those who inspire.

Through the Camera's Lens

As I mentioned previously, I'm taking a class at Big Picture Scrapbooking called Picture Spring.  In this class, we receive a prompt every day to look at things in your life with a new eye, and find the beauty in it to photograph.  Everything was going along great, I was having a lot of fun looking at my life each day.  One day you take a picture of what your life looks like first thing in the a.m.

Another day, you had to look up and find the beauty above you. 

Still another day, you had to drop to ground level to find what rocks your world.

And then...the dreaded "SELF-PORTRAIT" day came.  How many of us dread this challenge??  Tracey's email said "Spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation. Beyond the blooms, our spirits feel alive! Today, as you soak it all in, capture yourself in a self-portrait. Celebrate yourself! You're worth the hoop-lah!"..... Right!!!! 

But I refused to be intimidated.  My reasoning to take this class was to grow in my photography skills.  I needed to do this!!

So I stood in front of a mirror and turned my camera around and snapped away.  I took countless pictures.  And I give to you, a cropped version of the picture I submitted for the class.  

I really don't like looking at pictures of myself but I have spent part of this morning thinking about why that is.  And I've come to the conclusion that it has a lot to do with your life as you are growing up.  I think many of us are told that it is vain if we like to look at ourselves.  Vanity was sinful, as I recall.  Isn't that interesting??  Because I am of the belief that in order to love another, you must love yourself.  Maybe you can love yourself and not like looking at yourself.  Is that it??  

So after all my pondering this morning, and actually looking more closely at this picture, I've decided that those little crows' feet around my eyes are caused by the laughter in my life.  So I will wear those crows' feet as a badge of honor, that I have a wonderful, laughter-filled, joyous life.  A life that brings me peace and serenity.  A life I am delighted to express gratitude for.   

Are you like me?  Do you dislike looking at pictures of yourself, but truly enjoy your life and all the laughter in it?  Maybe all it takes is a change of attitude!  Thanks for stopping by today.    

One small step for me...

Inspired by one of my dearest friends, I've finally decided to take the first step into the wonderful world of Web 2.0 and set up my blog. I have no idea whether this is something worth doing or whether I will give up on it in a short time. But for now, it's a new adventure. Maybe it's just therapeutic for me. I invite you to comment, challenge me in my opinions on things, point out where I am flat out wrong about something, or just help me to keep this interesting.