Whew!
I've spent practically every minute either relaxing with my husband or curled up under my duvet.
I'm not exactly sick, though I do feel like I'm fighting something that's gnawing at my lungs. Mostly I think I just need time to breathe....really breathe... deeply... slowly... fully.
I opened my day-planner on Monday morning, and was delighted to see nothing written in it for the whole week. No deadlines. No meetings. Just a page of days ready to be filled with enjoyment.
And what is more enjoyable than breathing? Fresh clear air (even in the big city) is so refreshing. And then there's the fragrance of blossoms and coffee brewing...Heaven.
I think I've spent three days sitting in my studio, pencil in hand, but not drawing at all. Instead of drawing, I watched the sun move across the white sketchbook page and the curtains dance in the breeze.
That makes me sound lazy. Which isn't true at all.
In our rushed culture we forget that some of our best ideas come in idleness. Inspiration comes when your mind has space to breathe. After all, the word "inspire" means "to breathe in". (from in and spirare which is the latin for "to breathe"). I wish I could write a book about the correlation between inspiration and breathing deeply, but for now, let's just give that thought some space to grow in our minds.
And while I was sitting and staring at the curtains in the wind some marvellous ideas for illustrations pranced through my mind. Oh! I'm so excited to start drawing tomorrow!
Life is busy. I'm constantly reminding myself to keep moving forwards, to push through the busyness, but also to take time to breathe deep and smell the roses.
I think that's what this little illustration is all about...
When life is flying at a fantastic pace, why not take the roses with you?
And remember to breathe deep and be inspired
(which might be the same thing, after all).
.