In this incredibly rich and opportune world we inhabit. it is easy to have many, many interests and wants that keep up going each day. I have too many! Artwork (of lots of kinds -- drawing, painting, collaging, sewing, beading, printing, digital arting, stitching, etc.), music, reading, teaching, writing, dogs, cats. birds, learning by trawling the Internet, but how do you turn them off in favor of having a more peaceful and satisfying life? Toby alone would be enough to fill up the average person's day with his antics. I've often wondered why I feel so compelled to pack more and more stuff to do into every day?
I have an early childhood memory of being told to take a nap in the daytime by my mom, and having a fit about it. I didn't want to nap! I had to have been about four or five years old. I remember crying and wailing about it (believe me, none of this would happen now over a nap!) to the point where my mother was really pissed off. I sincerely can not blame her with four kids underfoot! I remember my older brother coming into my room and nicely telling me to just try to nap, to take a break, it would be ok. He was very nice to me when I was little. (Now he hates my guts, but that is another post for another time...) Anyway, I must have napped and the histrionics stopped. I think it is a similar feeling of frustration -- why do I have to nap when there is so much I need to do? A nap means lost time! When I wake up it will be too late to do anything!
I still feel somewhat the same about sleep in general. If I could just stay up a bit longer, I'd read that next chapter...or bead that next shape...or do that last load of laundry...or hear another chapter of my book...or...or...or... Time goes by so quickly as we get older and it seems a shame to waste so much of it sleeping. Even when I am so dead tired I don't have a choice in the matter, it is frustrating to have to sleep. I envy people who get bored. Who have too much time on their hands. Who are satisfied with going to work, watching a bit of television, and going to bed. That's it. To not have the internal pressure to "Do! Do! Do!)
This internal push to grab big bites of life is what makes an artist keep going, though. Without this passion and drive, life would not be the same. Like any personality trait, a great strength can be a great weakness. This must be mine! Well, one of mine, anyway...! I'm glad to have passions and interests that make life meaningful and hope everyone has the same. Iggy Pop's song "Lust for Life" comes to mind. Without all the lyrics. Just the chorus. I don't have time for the rest!!
What will you make today?