Life’s Lessons: Learning What’s Possible

“We are cups. Constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” – Ray Bradbury

The Buddhist adage, “When the student is ready, the teacher will come” resonates with artists of all ages. Whether we are muddling along or cycling fast, we are here to learn life’s lessons.  Yet, sometimes, it feels like we’re standing still in a crowded intersection. Stepping into the stream of a creative life takes boldness and a great deal of pluck. We’ve been here before. Remember riding up a steep hill for the first time on your bike and knowing you have to come down?

When women at a certain golden age step back and reflect, we notice our lives are like a crazy quilt full of heart punches and make do patches. Zigzag patterns of ups and downs mark our journeys. Each stage of our development offers another piece of knowledge to mix in, all part of the great soup of life. Choosing motherhood or career over being an artist doesn’t always have to happen. When we step back, we recognize that  both are possible once we accept the flow or dam of the creative life.