Lean Into Change

If you are looking at your life and want some things to change, then you have to change.

That is not the most fun thing to hear, I know.

We don’t like to change. We feel comfortable with who we are and needing to change feels like a punch in the gut. We have what we have and live what we live because of how we think.

Changing our thinking at will seems next to impossible. The first step to changing our life, fulfilling our dreams, and gaining our very best life is making a decision.

One decision that is serious and heartfelt and definite—a decision you will remember the rest of your life: the decision that you want to change.

Once you decide, then the next step is to be ready to let something die.

Something has to leave your life or you have to let go of something. Most of the time it is mindset. It could also be a group of friends, an old habit, a place you go to, a default, a comfort zone, or an agreement.

This thing that has to go is the big block or obstacle that has been holding you back and making change difficult. The big decision you just made will empower you to just… let… it… go. Poof! Just like that.

Now the hard part is over.

You are on your way to being a better you. Now there is room to pick up your new habit, your new resolve, mindset, community of friends, skills, or whatever key piece is missing to move forward.

This is when you see a huge jump in your art.

When the thing dies, you see new life in your art and a breakthrough piece is inevitable. The more you paint, the more your need to change becomes exposed and you start the cycle again. Resisting the change is truly miserable and prolongs the creative block or the rut or rash of bad paintings.

If you are feeling stuck in your art, consider maybe you are unknowingly resisting necessary change.

Every artist goes through this creative cycle and after several bouts, it becomes a sport.

When things begin to feel rough, your world starts to crash around you, and your paintings look terrible to you, say to yourself, “Oh, I know what this is! I have to make a decision to change.

Let something go, release it, and woohoo!

I’m only days away from a breakthrough! Let’s do this!”

This is so much better than resisting.

Don't resist; lean into it.

Pretty soon you will be the champion of change and will become your very best self: a loving, confident leader who others want to know and follow and learn from.

This is why I say artists are the most courageous people in the world.

You have to be brave enough to face yourself, desire change, and have the humility to be a constant work in progress.

Allow your ugly stage to be seen, to feel naked and exposed in the underpainting of your life. Allow the brushstrokes to be left in their full expression for the world to see and judge.

This is courage. This is valor. So stand up, brave soul! Decide to change and allow the Divine behind this creative process to create YOU