As a naturally wired Type A, goal-oriented person, I love deciding what I want to accomplish and doing whatever it takes to get there. For Ironman training, this meant waking up at 4:45am to fit in a trainer workout or swim before work. It meant saying no to social functions because I had to sleep early to prepare my body for a long bike or run the next day. It meant saying no to a lot of things that would take me away from my training. I was laser-focused. I knew my goal, and understood that these sacrifices were all a part of the journey. After nine months of solid training, I triumphantly crossed the finish line. I knew that was the destination I was seeking to reach, and I got there. 

Even though now I still have my big dreams and goals in visible sight, I've learned to relax more into accepting the gifts along the journey. To live and experience different paths along the way with eyes wide open, finding the hidden treasures that each one holds.  These past nine months have been all about enjoying the process. And I've learned these lessons tangibly through the instrument of art. Watercoloring, to be exact. What began as Day 1 of #the100dayproject on April 4, 2017 started a daily ritual of painting. Painting something. Anything. It was a means of self-expression, self-discovery, and becoming childlike again. Giving myself permission to play, to not have the answers, to try new things. 

We face a blank canvas everyday and it's up to us to decide what we want to create with our lives. Throughout #the100dayproject I tried a lot of things. There were days when I wasn't extremely proud of my work (hello, DAY 1!!) but promised those in my tribe that I would show up anyways. Some days I discovered new techniques, and made more of that. There were plenty of times when I felt stuck and wanted to quit. But I kept going. And now, exactly nine months later, I've found that the feelings and the art inside of me are better expressed through my watercolors. The creative gap (the space between what you want to create and what you're currently creating) is slowly shrinking. And it happened by being consistent, giving myself enough grace and space to create, and to play.

Why am I writing this? To share that growth and transformation happen slowly. But it does happen with consistent action. Perhaps it starts by drinking water instead of soda. It begins by meditating for 5 minutes in the morning. It begins with one brush stroke, a dab of water and paint, and childlike faith. It begins with deciding that you are an artist, and it's not too late and you're not too old to change your life.

I've been enjoying doing customized designs recently, so contact me if you'd like a certain design or quote painted or hand-lettered!