March's Mentally Strong Women on Off the Wall Friday

So with March comes three more things that Mentally Strong Women Refuse to Do.  You can see the first two installments of this series Here and Here.  I was so struck by the original concept of Amy Morin's book because while reading the list they were all things that I have learned to practice in my own life.  I just wish I had mastered them at 25 rather than 50!

Continuing on. . . . Mentally Strong Women . . .

Don't Put Down Others to Lift Themselves Up

I love this one because this is the kind of rule that can change the world.  This means you have to be secure enough in your OWN  worth rather than devaluing others'.  Now that's easier said than done for sure.  You only have to turn on a national news program to figure that this country hasn't mastered it.  But the way I do it is to remember that we were all made intentionally unique.  Each of us has value. Each of us is amazing in our own right.  If someone doesn't see value in me, then obviously they aren't looking hard enough! Plus it reminds me to see value in others around me, even when I don't quite understand them. 

In art terms, this means....my work is ME and your work is You.  I don't need to put yours down to make mine look better because each has its own inherent value.  Now don't get me wrong.  Obviously, artwork is always going to be judged.  I'm just thinking that we don't need to make it part of our creative process.

Don't Allow Others to Limit their Potential

How many times have you heard, "Why in the world are you spending so much time and money doing THAT?"  Or ... "Ohhhh, I could just go buy a quilt much cheaper at Kohl's" Or...."What is THAT?"  There are always going to be people who don't get what you are doing or get why you do it or get where you want to go.  You can NOT let them influence your decisions.  The rule in the Sayre's house is that if you're not hurting someone or hurting yourself, then you should be allowed to follow your own path without the peanut gallery chiming in. Of course, the Peanut Gallery thinks their opinion is the one that you value, but all you need to do is smile nicely and say "ah-huh"....maybe nod a little.....then.....do what you damn well please.

Remember Art is unique to you and will be seen differently by everyone due to that uniqueness.  What people say concerning it, maybe be of interest, but it still shouldn't affect what you do or how you do it.  You are the man behind the curtain pulling the levers on this show.  Not them.  They are here to watch.

Don't Blame Themselves When Things Go Wrong

Okay, a show of hands....How many of you get halfway into a new piece and say....OH MY GOD!!  What was I thinking???  This sucks!!  Its a mess....I'm a mess!  Whose idea was this anyways and why in the world didn't I take up knitting????

Alright, that's a little dramatic, but I'm sure you get the point.  The creative process is a journey that goes through its ups and downs.  You can NOT let the downs convince you that the ups aren't going to come again.  You don't want to allow others to limit your potential and you surely don't want to limit yourself.  

Its all about being self-aware.  You can say, "Wow, this is NOT working" without saying "Wow, I'm a complete failure."  You then put your big girl pants and like Tim says, "Make it work!" (BTW, am I the only one that misses Tim Gunn terribly and thinks why in the world they thought Christian Slater would make a good mentor? sorry ...I digress...grin)

So I know, this segment of the series is a little more preachy than practical.  But once you are made aware of the dynamics of what's holding you back you can change it.  It's really not rocket science.  You just have to take a moment to assess what is happening.  The world these days is so fast - so loud - its hard to take that moment.  But for your own mental health - DO IT! 

So What Have You Been Doing Creatively?