"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
