The Grateful Artist

I confess that I like Mondays. This does go against convention apparently. Mention this in conversation and polite people smile indulgently. If they are less polite I usually get a derisive snort and reasons why Mondays are not favoured.

Mondays give me the opportunity to start putting into action what I thought about on the weekend. This is key. Taking time off on the weekend to think and plan gets me ready for action on Monday.

Weekends are for relaxing I hear you say. True, but relaxing and quite contemplation go hand in hand. They get my creative juices flowing. I am grateful for this.

I am grateful that I do not face Mondays with dread for what lies ahead. I think of those entering cubicle hell, perhaps fearful confrontations with a mad boss, customers, bank managers, teachers, creditors or even real danger such as mining or just general drudgery. I am grateful that many of these jobs are performed for our benefit and the greater good. It would be a happier world however if the folks carrying out these jobs loved their work. Unfortunately many do not. This makes Mondays a dreadful day for many. It is very sad.

I have read and been told how important gratitude is in our lives. I have heard that true creativity can only reach a higher plane if accompanied by a grateful heart. I agree with this. I have first hand experience of it. Good things happen when accompanied by good thoughts and positve action. Some call it serendipity. A long word that usually gets me odd looks if I use it in general conversation.

There are a few things I know for sure about gratitude. The success of my day depends upon it. If I choose to let events bring me down and I lose my sense of gratitude. I am no longer able to create effectively or at all. This drags me down further until my sole aim is simply to get to the next day. Can you relate? How many times have you said to yourself: "I cannot wait for this day to be over. Tomorrow cannot come too soon." The day is a write off!

Of course there are events of significant distress that will ruin a day. But these are few and far between. We are often sabotaging our days with idle events. Little things to moan about. These are our energy killers. Artists have a way of dealing with this. They can get to work. Whether preparing a canvas, cleaning the studio (note to self: may become procrastination) or getting down to the main event - making art. This is where we must express our gratitude.

Our ability to work and thus to live our passion. It is the flow of the universe through our creative actions that makes time disappear and the moment all supreme. It could not happen without gratitude. Gratitude for the air we breathe, our health, our senses, our ability to see the world and appreciate the incredible energy that created this all. Let us be grateful for something and focus on that.

Ignore the purveyors of bad news, whether they come in print, TV or in person. You will allow your inner self to find freedom from the clamor of an ungrateful world. This will give your natural creative self a moment to come forward. The energy will be felt again as channels for its graceful flow are reopened. Have your pencils, brushes or whatever you need close at hand. You will soon be creating again. 

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