Empowered in Difficult Times

Sometimes life gets difficult.

• Relationships fail.
• We get lonely.
• Unexpected drama pops up.
• Financial problems hit.
• Crisis happens.

The list can go on and on.

These misfortunes or worries can cloud our vision and lure us away from what our heart wants, tempting us into thinking it can't happen for us. Sometimes we feel we can't overcome our sadness or frustration.

One of my favorite poems of all time is Song of Songs. In Chapter 2, it says:

“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is LOVE. Sustain me with raisin cakes, Refresh me with apples, Because I am lovesick.”

In difficult times, the Lover of our Soul is waiting to sustain us. He stands among the mountaintops, leaping like a stag, inviting us into our destiny.

It’s in the times that seem so far from our purpose or true happiness that we are actually closest.

Holding tightly to the things that draw us to our purpose is our best strategy for overcoming and moving ahead.

The act of stepping into your studio, grabbing your brush, and showing up to paint in spite of your pain or discouragement is as powerful as throwing your mountain into the sea.

This is how you WIN!

This is where your power is.

Applying paint to your canvas is an act of war. It doesn't even have to look good! Your part isn't painting well or pulling off a masterpiece. Your part is simply being present, sitting down in the banquet hall and feasting on the sweetness of the fruit, being sustained by the raisin cakes. This is what forges your dream into existence.

Sometimes after a big holiday – with the rush of family, friends, eating, drinking, and sugar – we crash. We feel depleted and uninspired. There is a lot of mess we don't want to clean up.

This is the best time to drag yourself to the easel and just apply some paint. You will find your raisin cakes, you will see the banner raised over you.

Trust me: this one act will build so much defiance toward resistance, your next battle will be much easier fought.

Making a habit of showing up at the easel when you least want to will guarantee your life of success as an artist. Painting is the elixir.

Creating despite feeling upset is staking your flag into the ground and declaring to the universe: this is MY land!

You are an artist. No matter what life brings you, you will create. You will always be an artist.