The painting above is called Breakthrough and is a 30″ by 30″ canvas. I chose it for this post because it fits well with my state of mind this morning. You see, sometimes a breakthrough announces itself in a big momentous way while sometimes it comes in quiet, barely awake moment.
I woke up this morning in the dark and for the first time in a long while found myself thinking about a painting I had been working on. I was thinking about how I had left it at the end of yesterday and the approach I wanted to take when I went back into it today–the colors I wanted to add and the manner in which I would apply them.
For most of you, the thoughts of imminent work may not seem like a great way to start your waking day but for me it was an exciting thrill. It felt normal in a good way to me, something that has been lacking in recent months when it seems as though every day offered a different task or challenge that took me further out of the routine that has long been my emotional and creative stabilizer.
But this morning it seemed closer to my normal normal. And it felt good. It was energizing in that it meant that my mind was moving away from things I can’t control and back to those things that control and guide me. Just knowing that my waking mind transitioned immediately from the subconscious to a creative state was exciting.
And reassuring. There have been moments in recent months when I thought that part of me was slipping away, that I would have trouble finding my way back to that creative wellspring that has nourished me for so many years. But this morning I see a creative path moving forward and am eager to move ahead on it. It feels like a breakthrough and that feels right and good.
Whew!
Redtree Times 
Very well put Gary. I understand, though it has been quite a while since I woke up looking forward to much. It seems this and that keep getting in the way of that and this and I just end up paralyzed with too much and indecision.
This morning I pondered that I need a fresh start. Just let me stop and gather my senses, then start. Just leave me alone long enough to figure out where I even am.
Thank you for the 2 days painting. I stopped worrying for a bit.
Grace- Indecision does paralyze us, doesn’t it? Breath deep and take the first step forward– you’ll be okay. I know that much. And thank you for the two days of painting, as well. It was a real pleasure working with you and I am so glad you got something from it, Grace. But, truth be known, I needed those days just to reset a little and to regain some confidence. Seeing how great you all did was a real boost. Thank you, my friend!
You probably know that Thomas Edison got some of his great ideas just as he was drifting off to sleep. To make sure he remembered them, he would hold heavy balls in his hands that would drop to the floor when he started to doze. …thus waking him up, enabling his capturing the thought. Breakthroughs can often happen that way. Sleep is good for renewal in many ways.
I had never heard that Edison story before, Ginny. That’s really interesting– thank you!
Love the colors and patterns!