How Do You “Art”?
Aging
After I graduated law school, I felt like every week I heard about someone getting married. A few years later, it felt like every week I heard about someone having a baby. Fast-forward, it feels like every week I hear about someone dying. Although I understand that all of this is part of life, I figured that there would be more stages in between. As I age, I become more aware of my mortality, health and the temporariness of the world, and the truth is, it’s scary.
Living
How is my life running by so quickly? When I read books and watch movies, and possibly a large factor may be the ones I’m selecting, I realize that a common theme has become finding our purpose in life, whether it’s about religion and the afterlife, living a longer life, living a healthier life or simply living an enjoyable life.
The things that bring me joy are spending time with my family and friends, being active, socializing, volunteering, helping others and art. As a wife and mother of four though, I think it’s the “art” that gets pushed back the most, simply because it becomes so difficult to make time for all of the others.
“Arting”
How do you “art”? Whether it’s dancing, writing, reading, listening to music, drawing, painting or other things, what artistic endeavor brings you joy? Specifically, what brings you joy for joy’s sake, not for money or acceptance from others, but what art brings you peace within?
Art is something so simple, yet it can bring so much happiness to a life filled with difficulty and pain, so why not prioritize it?
When was the last time you did art? I’ll start. I art (or at least try to) in many ways. For example, I love to dance (but don’t do it enough, it’s usually done in the mirror at night), I like to paint (but the mess it causes in our house with 4 kids makes me cringe so it’s only done on rare occasions), I read books on Audible and Libby (during car rides, cooking and walks), and I write books. I started a children’s book and a book of poems about immigrant grandmothers before I was pregnant with our fourth child but being pregnant and having a baby (along with 3 other kids) has made that difficult.
However, I’m ready now to make my writing a priority again, since writing brings me such joy, and as we all know, when mommy is happy, everyone is happy. Let’s say it out loud more moms, our happiness spreads like fire, so let’s set this ‘ish on fire!
So, now it’s your turn, how do you “art”?
