Times and Seasons

I am currently sitting at my partially cluttered studio desk as I prepare this blog post. I am used to a pretty meticulous routine of washing down the studio desk every Saturday and then dusting and vacuuming the studio. You would think with all of my time at home that I would be able to keep up with this routine. Even though our pace of life and our experiences this year are vastly different that previous years, I am finding myself overwhelmed at times. This same feeling of being overwhelmed is coming through in emails from students, friends and colleagues. Generally speaking, I try hard to include a time to pause and reflect each day. Take some slower, deeper breaths, gather my thoughts and count my blessings. These past few weeks I feel like I have missed that routine several times. I have taken several online courses including sign writing, calligraphy, and botanical illustration. There is just so much being offered and I want to continue to learn. I have noticed though, that as much as I want to continue to study, there is a limit to how much I can absorb. I honestly let some amazing courses pass by because I knew I could not keep up with the study and the homework. That feeling of being overwhelmed and having too many oars in the water at once is helping me to focus on things that are really important right now. 

In these strange times that we are navigating and finding so many online study opportunities, remember to pause and take a breath. Sometimes you will have so much going on in your day that you will find it difficult to practice. We all have those days. Pause and take a breath. Look at something else. Be inspired and just pause. Each season we go through has its own challenges and possibilities. There will be new and different seasons coming our way. 

With all of that being said, two of my large presentations of online courses have been advertised. I want to assure you that I would love to meet you in class but I am also so aware that you may be overwhelmed with all of the course offerings available. If you want to join my presentation of The Poetic Pen (Italian Hand) through The European Pointed Pen Collective, I would be so happy to share my passion for this hand with you. If you have time in December, I will be sharing my Holiday Festive Flourishes through Acorn Arts online. I am so excited to be able to share with you this way. If you would love to join but already have so many courses going on I completely understand. It is not a good feeling to be fragmented and unable to focus on the task at hand. Whatever choices you make, I am cheering you on in all of your endeavours. I encourage you to surround yourself with the things you love, feed your soul and cherish the time you have to explore the things that make you happy. 

One thing that has been so clear to me during this season we are going through collectively is the need to continue to share a note of kindness or encouragement. As calligraphers, we have a powerful force at our fingertips. Sometimes a note spanning the miles can mean so much.

Dear friends I am so grateful for you all. Thank you for sending me beautiful photos of flowers in your garden, letting me know how flourishing has been so helpful during these times and even inviting me for virtual tea. You are all such a blessing to me. Enjoy the sights and sounds of October. Pause and take a breath. Hugs all around!