Do you have a place, a hobby or a passion project that seems to make time disappear?
Totally embracing the present moment can move you into this divine, expansive space. I believe, when we allow ourselves to move into a ‘flow’ state of consciousness then time becomes irrelevant.
For me, each challenging experience has given me the opportunity to deep-dive into an art or craft. It has been my healing as well as my escape. But remember, there is a negative and a positive to every experience. When I caught myself using art as a crutch, I would stop, rest, and reassess before making the choice to continue or to walk out of the art room. So, how did I discover when I was using art as a crutch?
It sounds so obvious, but my process feels forced. I don’t feel connected to my work, and I get easily distracted during it. It is not joyful.
Joy is the key! Art should be fun. It can be frustrating when you are learning something new, or you are pushing through a difficult part of the art process. However, when you reach the final destination your inner child should feel elated, joyful, accomplished and usually wants to give it another go! It’s about the dopamine high but one that leaves you feeling that you have achieved something, not a quick hit that leaves as fast as it comes.
It is true that we never learn anything new unless we are prepared to get uncomfortable. Challenge ourselves, face our fears, embrace diversity and be open to change. But we have the ability to do all those things with an open heart and a child like curiosity.
I want every single day to count. I want to make wise, conscious decisions about how my life will take shape every morning. I feel cursed and blessed at the same time knowing that tomorrow is never promised, but it does help bring everyday into focus.
Time has become of more importance since my pancreatic cancer and my type 1 diabetes diagnosis. I no longer think in terms of days, I have to be conscious hour by hour. Alarms seem to rule my life now. Blood sugar too low, BEEP, BEEP, blood sugar to high, BEEP BEEP. Knee deep in paint or up to my elbows in clay, BEEP, BEEP, BEEEPPPPP.
The deep connection I could achieve within the flow state, that I always took for granted, has to be done in spurts now. It’s no good getting angry and frustrated at the situation. I am constantly having to stop, adjust, breathe, continue.
Facing my own mortality has deepened my appreciation for the present moment, influencing my artistic focus and enabling me to capture the beauty and significance of life’s fleeting moments.
Photo by Josh Felise on Unsplash
