JUST ME :: and a stack of blank pages

:: Living creatively ::

About me

This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realise it is play. The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is. I’m here to tell you that the path to peace is right there, when you want to get away. When you are present, you can allow the mind to be as it is without getting entangled in it. If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life. That is very serious!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Our Comfort Zone

"Often what we call procrastination, a lack of inspiration or boredom, is really just being trapped in the shell of our own comfort zone. Our comfort zone offers a safe haven, a trusted beaten path for us to follow. However the comfort zone can easily become, over time, our liability zone!"

A daily practice of sketching and painting gives you a chance to exercise the big three P's - practice, practice, practice!



It's amazing what you'll do when inspiration fails to materialise. I just couldn't think of anything to sketch - a landscape? No, boring! Some animals? No, boring! I was at my wit's end, trying to come up with something, so I decided to really challenge myself and do something I really hate - still life!

I looked around the kitchen and grabbed a couple of things lying around and just started sketching. Before long I was totally immersed in capturing the see-throughness of the plastic wrap and the vibrant colours on hubby's favourite mug - even my hake lying close-by got roped in!

Moving out of my comfort zone and doing something new made me realise that we so easily become entrenched in the 'known' - that excitement and passion can easily ebb away and leave us feeling drained.
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6 comments:

  1. Marie TheronJanuary 27, 2010 at 7:33 AM

    You are so original, Maree. Those items are very important, by the way. Favourite cup: coffee tastes wrong if the mug has a lip you are not used to! Plastic wrap: the perforated type is the invention of the century, where were we before that? Your hake: ah, now there is a very personal relationship because how can we exist without our favourite paint brushes!!!!

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  2. summerJanuary 27, 2010 at 9:17 AM

    Marre what you write is so absolute...i felt so nervous ..taking up the pencil again after 10 years ..im not sure if i can really do it but i keep telling myself that practice maketh a man perfect ...ur three BIG Pees PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE...i will always remember this golden advice..

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  3. Maree ClarksonJanuary 27, 2010 at 10:09 AM

    Thank you Marie! Your insight is always so refreshing! Thank you...

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  4. Maree ClarksonJanuary 27, 2010 at 10:11 AM

    Don't be nervous Summer - take up your pencil! What's the worst that can happen? You erase the pencil marks or you throw away the paper and start again - go for it! By the way, wanted to look at your blog, but your profile is not enabled.

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  5. Art with LizJanuary 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM

    Oh my gosh Maree, but you bring home truths! I don't paint every day, but I am lucky to have two groups (Mon,Fri), class (Tue) and live model (Thur), plus my teaching classes on Wed, Sat, so my procrastination doesn't have a chance to blossom!

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  6. Maree ClarksonJanuary 28, 2010 at 3:01 PM

    Gee, you're a busy bee Liz! But you know the old saying, "The more we do..."

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