"Be Courageous" Mixed Media Original by Harmony Lenasbunt 2011
It was an unexpected side effect of becoming a mother that finally started to realize that I didnt really have all the time in the world to pursue my passions and create the life of my dreams. Before kids, I just went along slowly, as I pleased, figuring, "I'll get to that someday." Then everything went into hyperdrive. Life is speeding past me, mostly the growing and changing of my now 3.5 year old child and almost arrived little one, and I am trying to stay on board while still holding onto those parts of me that make me feel authentic and true to my heart (mostly creating art). Sometimes I get stuck at a decision, weighing the options of what I want, vs what I can actually accomplish, vs what my family needs. Deciding to do shows this season, amidst preparing for baby #2 was one of those decisions. I am still not sure I made the right one, but we (my little family) survived it, and I definitely learned many things about my limitations and how to ask for help (something I've never been good at). I am in the middle of another of those decisions again right now. I am starting to realize that once you create a family you adore, these types of decisions continue to keep coming. So here I am, thinking about my son, my newborn son due in 16 days, my hardworking and loving husband, and then my desire to create art and pursue it as a lifestyle and buisness. Should I wait another year and just focus on nothing but family, like I did when my first son was born? Or should I go for it, pursue my passions, and ask my family to adjust to the changes in "mom's" schedule as we have before? Is it fair to my second child to be more distracted and busy than I was with my first? I think I know what the right answer is, because a happy and contented mommy really does make a happy and contented family, but man! this mom guilt thing is powerful. I am sharing this because I believe that we all face these kinds of decisions no matter what walk of life you are in. Whether you are a parent, are in a significant partnership, close family or friends, or are a singleton facing the daunting world with a dream in hand and very little direction, we all have our moments of wanting someone to tell us what to do and how it will turn out. But we will never have that, and so I wanted to encourage you as I have needed to encourage myself... Be Courageous! While it is perfectly appropriate to be cautious before making these such decisions, we should never make them while influenced by fear or guilt. So let's be courageous together! What obstacles are you facing this week? What choices will you take a leap of faith in today? Be blessed in all of them!
XO, HARMONY
Being a mom of 3 I can say I completely understand your thoughts. My biggie was whether to work or stay home. I chose to come home during my first pregnancy and have never looked back! (well...maybe I looked a little..well..a lot..but then I found ART!) I took every moment I could to dive into my creative self and now...20(clearing throat)something years later, I know I made the right choice for myself...and my family! The best part about kids and hubbies..is when you share your heart with them..they usually understand and adjust as needed. Communication in Love..is KEY! So Happy for you! <3
ReplyDeletebeing courageous is the only way to live, no matter what u do for a living. an artist, a mom, a corporate worker.
ReplyDeleteHi I have had to make similar choices with my family and have learned that my child and my husband need me so I spent fifteen years doing the mom thing and my daughter has really benefitted and she is still my best friend, but I didn't do so well. So I've learned that there needs to be compromise from your family but also from yourself. You may have to simplify your art style so your faster and you get to create like I did eventually and was able to do some shows. I hope this helps. Because for yourself and your joy you need to keep creating on some capacity. Peace to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts about this. I know that for me, I put the "mommy thing" first while my girls were infants, simply because I couldn't have managed to juggle all the rest. Then as they became toddlers, and not as dependent as babies, I could ease myself into more of my own pursuits. They are still only 2 and 4, but I am amazed at how much more time I have now to pursue art and shows and a blog and that sort of thing. I never could have managed that when I was trying to mother them as infants. I guess it's just a matter of prioritizing and recognizing one's strengths and limitations! Best wishes to you as you make your decisions.
ReplyDeleteLove this work of art Harmony! ANd I am courageous right along with you as I am chasing my dream full steam ahead... no matter what! (that's the courageous part!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! I too am a mom and I have one son. When he was born 11 years ago I was painting the night before he was born. That painting is still unfinished. Over the years I have slowly picked the brushes back up. I telecommute and work full time but I try to make time for my art almost every day. I'm happier for it, and if mama's happy then everybody is happy:D I just illustrated a quote about courage a day or two ago, and everwhere I turn I am seeing or reading something about having courage! LOL. Thank you for the reminder that I am not alone:)
ReplyDeleteThese are some tough questions! I think about these all the time. I don't have kids yet, but I plan on it in the future, even though it terrifies me and I don't feel even CLOSE to ready to be a mama yet. I worry about what will happen to my art and writing if I bring kids into the picture.
ReplyDelete