Great Expectations for Yourself!

Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results according to Albert Einstein is insanity. I strongly disagree. I am no genius but "insane," really? That is harsh and untrue. Creating new habits is easier than breaking from old ones. Committing myself to new experiences maybe a stretch to expect something different. However a good stretch is just what I need and regularly to be like a well-oiled machine. 


The outcome will be different, maybe not what you desire or expected but it is not "getting the same results." The brain of a child continues to expand its neurons with new experiences. As adults our older minds adapt and rewire with new experiences building neurons and new connections, a different result. 


I have enjoyed a successful career as a fine artist, not as well known as my father, Jim Savage, of the Western Art and Gift Gallery of Sioux Falls but we had different goals in mind. I moved from fine art to web design and computer generated graphics in the 90's. After 30 years I am starting again as a fine artist with "how-to-paint" books. I am educating myself to understand color theory and how light interacts with the colors.


The status of two of my paintings has reverted back to unfinished. Looking at them with a new eye and no attachment to where they end up. Great expectations for a different outcome is in progress.


A blank canvas or sheet of drawing paper makes me consider what do I want to create?  It can feel like going around in circles, thinking too much instead of simply doing. However it is kind of fun getting out my paints and studying a new style. I can throw them away just like it did when I was in school and was trying to accomplish a lesson to be satisfied enough to hand-in.


"It's what Yeats called the fascination with what's difficult. I'm only trying to do what I can't do." excerpt from Portaits by Michael Kimmelman.


Having great expectations for yourself is difficult and well worth trying. Off to workout with my daughter, I know the results and it works well!

Commit Me, Seriously!

Journaling and Tree Pose 

 Over 55 years of life is a long time. In comparison to the age of a fossil I'm significantly younger. I imagined by now, I would be committed to a cause, purpose or profession. My days would be filled with many meaningful endeavors. Instead, upon my husband retiring, downsizing and moving to the Minneapolis area from our remote Black Hills setting I am still looking to define myself every morning.

Unlike my 5 year old granddaughter who jumps out of bed holding herself back until the clock's numbers flip to the magical 7:00am. She dresses and leaves her bedroom anticipating whether to pester her mother for toast or waffles, neither to be fully eaten while still warm before playing.

What happened to my morning rally cry, "seize the moment," "be all you can be" or "follow your passion." It's been replaced by my recent favorite, give me a break. The scene in the recent 2011 movie, Bridesmaids, when Melissa McCarthy's character, Megan, shows up at Annie Walker's(played by Kristen Wiig) door during a pity party and slaps some life back into her overwhelmed and under motivated attitude. Annie has so much going for her but just can't put it together to equal contentment.

The mornings fly by filling my head with a bit of news, my breakfast with nutrition and my day seems to speed by finding myself at the gym or out running errands. To this I must be committed, a life full of putting my best foot forward and in there lies the point of it all. Simply commit me.