The sinuous road to serenity and joy
Follow Your Bliss is defined as using the awareness of what causes one to experience rapture as a guide for determining what constitutes authentic and proper living.
From here it follows that we also might need a definition of “authentic” living and “proper” living. So, how many of us lives “properly”? Who among us has dug deep enough to find what it means to be authentic? And once found, how many have had the courage to follow that Call? Because the deep need to feel and be authentic is a Call mostly heard when our lives feel out of focus, when we live “on automatic” and do not listen to the small, still voice inside us.
I have been an artist for many decades and throughout all those years my work developed, improved and was appreciated and valued by many. But I always felt that I did not have a vision, a mission, a goal as an artist. I also wanted to create from my gut but had no idea as to how to go about it so after a few feeble attempts I gave up and continued working the way I had for many years.
In February of 2020 I decided to take Nicholas Wilton’s 2.5 month course, The Creative Visionary Program. It meant a significant financial investment but I had heard the Call. I would do whatever it took to be authentic, to create from my gut and emotions. CVP was the first time anyone promised to help us become authentic artists. Apart from the many technical (and excellent) classes, I learned the process that would take me to being authentic. And self acceptance, tolerance for my stumblings and searches were some of the ingredients.
Since then, painting has been more pleasurable albeit not easier. But the days of depression, of self recrimination, of despair are gone. Yes, there are days of utter frustration when I work for 6 long hours and have nothing to show for it. All of us, artists, know about those days and weeks. But CVP reminds me that this is part of the process, the climb towards stronger work and self acceptance. And it spills over my personal life (i.e., not as an artist) as well. I cannot yearn for authenticity in my work without wanting my relationships to be true, honest and real. Most of all, I am following my bliss in most aspects of my life (yes, it is a work in progress).
If you check out my website https://fidelabstractoils.com, you will my Vision first thing on the Home page: I want to look at my paintings and see my Self in the mirror.
Allow me, then, to ask you: do you feel you are following your bliss? What would that mean for you? Do you feel authentic, and with whom? If you feel frustrated with aspects of your life, why? What is missing? Are YOU MIA? What can you do, as a baby step, to meet your real self? I’m eager to read your comments.