Here is something I know about myself. I am prone to making pronouncements to myself about new habits that I want to build. I am also loathe to share these pronouncements with others, because, here’s another thing I know about myself. As soon as I falter on the path to that new habit (which is usually quite early in the journey), I am very likely to step off said path for good. These are endeavors such as exercising, eating right, writing, connecting with loved ones, watering plants, making art, praying, going to bed earlier. I resolve to start this new thing, and then, when I fail one day, or two, I expertly convince my habit-making self that I have failed for good. In addition to the obvious and sad lack of self-love that this indicates, it also doesn’t bode well for me ever practicing anything like picking myself up, dusting myself off, and getting back on the trail.
Resolving to create words or art regularly for a blog was my most recent effort at “self-improvement.” And making that public to friends and family was my way of seeking accountability.
And yet, here I am, at the end of March, with nary a thing shared. I could explain this by way of some recent and significant draws on my time (of both the sorrowful and joyful types), but, really, most of that would be more excuse-making and would result in more self-recrimination, and no more certainty that quitting would not still happen in the near future. Today, I’m putting one decidedly tentative toe back out there, and–without excuse or apology to myself or to any dear ones reading this–saying, “Hello, from the vantage point of March, 2021!”
What more apropos image for myself than the one above, then? And here are some others that I recently worked on, as well.
The back story is that I have been on the hunt for words that are in the public domain, and, therefore, safe to quote or publish, and have lately been in the mood to use ink and art paper to make note cards, or framed work (any thoughts on that, friends?).
Corinne Araki Kawaguchi says:
WOW!!
These would make beautiful poster and/ or cards! Enjoy watching you do something you love and being able to express your artistic self!!!
teriecota says:
Oh, Corinne! Thank you for the kind words and the encouragement!
Peggy says:
Publish a black and white compilation as an adult coloring book….good for meditation, affirmation, etc.
And then I would by and old frame and change out the sayings every few months.
Nice work!
Peggy says:
“….buy an old frame…”
teriecota says:
Hello, Friend! you always have good ideas! Thank you for them. I actually have a long frame with three empty spaces in it hanging on the wall and have been trying for a long time to think about what to fill them with. I may do something like these collages…
Ron Wadsworth says:
Not sure if this is the right place for a comment, or if it is the spot for a “reply”.
Either way, thanks Sis for admitting that you are “human”. You mean you don’t follow up on every resolution, every best intention, every plan to better yourself?
Welcome to life with the rest of us!
I think you did nail it though, when you spoke of getting back up off the floor, and restarting things in life. That is hard, because we want to be perfect, and if we don’t start back up, we can convince ourselves that “we could have if we really wanted to”, or maybe “that really wasn’t for me anyway”.
Good for you for getting back in the ring. Now swing away, and know that even the best boxers don’t connect on the majority of their punches…
Love you!
Ron
teriecota says:
Thank you, Brother, for your response and for your love! Yes, back in the ring, although the thought of me as a boxer–figurative, or not–does make me laugh. xo
Rose Mary Espinoza says:
Wow Terie as I was reading this it reminded me so much of myself. That is what I love about this project. Besides your amazing art, you share feelings that the rest of us can relate to . What I love about you is that even if I haven’t spoken to you for months when we see each other we pick up like we just saw each other yesterday. Thank you my friend.
teriecota says:
Rose Mary! I think we humans are all more alike than different, right? (If only we could remember that all the time when we interact with each other in this world). And, by the way, the feeling is entirely mutual about our time together! Thank you for your very special words! xoxo
Mary Simons says:
Sister dear – Thank you for sharing your heart yet again. I enjoy your thoughts and understandings. We are all cut from the same cloth and while reading your words I’m reminded of this (important fact.) It is a good read when bogged down in the day to day minutia. Keep blogging, please!
As I have said many times before and always will, your artwork is amazingly beautiful – we need to talk cards Missy! Loving you!
teriecota says:
Thank you for your ongoing love and support, Mamie. Love you…and, okay, let’s talk cards!
Micaela says:
You are so talented Terie!
teriecota says:
Micaela! Thank you for taking a look, and for your words! xoxo