This morning I got a reply from my niece to my “heads-up” e-mail to her, letting her know a package was soon to arrive with gift books for my great-nephew. He’s a big reader, and also very resourceful around Christmastime in looking for presents, I’m told.
Knowing I have aspirations to be published in children’s books as an author and hopefully, illustrator, she included a photo of the “pre-book” cover of an illustrator she met at a recent art show. The illustration was charming. And before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face as I felt so very far from my hopes and dreams. So far from even finding the time to write and draw with all that’s on my plate right now. And, well, that’s exactly what I had to do today – get on with what’s on my plate, my work.
First I turned on a few hours of music from Spirit Tribe Awakening – music that contains ancient healing frequencies, aligning with our heart chakra and helping release negativity with specific sound vibrations. This always helps. As I listened and watched the beautiful images of nature, I felt more peaceful, and then a desire to find more beautiful images.
Feeling so far from my path can sometimes leave me feeling utterly helpless, but I thought that I might be helped with the beauty of imagery. The result is what you see here. Paths of every kind.
And though I am still feeling a bit sad, between the music and images I am feeling more hopeful. It was the image of the cobblestoned street that first drew me in, and so I began to walk …
Sometimes our paths are crooked …
Sometimes inspiring …
Sometimes our path seems to totally disappear.
Sometimes we travel our path with others …
But in the end, it is our path, and ours alone. And while it may be a lonely or hard path at times, it shines like the freshest of rains and mirrors the beauty that yearns from within.
I’ll get there.
We’ll get there.
Thank you to all the photographers whose wonderful photos I have used above and to freeimages.com for offering the works of these talented individuals to others.
Still A Dreamer 
I’m sorry you’re feeling sad and hope you’ll feel encouraged in the days to come and be able to take joy in the creating. You’re so very gifted and the writing and images you’ve shared in this blog have always been stunning and inspiring.
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Kitty … I can’t thank you enough for saying that. All of it. It truly means so much. I have so much in my head, so many ideas and visions, but am challenged in finding the blocks of time I need to really get to it – especially drawing. But I have to do something … because this isn’t doing it. And p.s. – not for nuthin’ – I still miss your blog and your wonderful writing and photos.
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The photos are stunning. You are not alone. You are loved.
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Thank you for each thing said. Choosing the photos and prepping them was healing in and of itself.
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My pleasure. I can see that. Keep following that heartbeat my darling. xx
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That’s my plan. 🙂 Thanks, Barb.
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Thanks, Jeanne, for sharing this inspirational post. So many of us have unfulfilled desires. To you I say, you must remember all the good you have done so far and continue to do with your talents. With that said, I believe your golden prize still is out there, waiting for you. Love you much, my friend.
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Thank you, Pat. Your words, as always, are so encouraging to me and mean so much. Love you much right back.
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Jeanne, I know exactly how you feel. I think it’s hard on creative types to feel like we’re not on our right paths. But I’ve learned wherever I am, that’s where I’m supposed to be right now. I’m not where I want to be, but I feel like I’m getting closer. There is still more work I need to do. It’s not an easy path, eh? You are a wonderful artist and writer. I know that you’ll get there. “We’ll get there.” We can encourage each other! x
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I know that’s true – that we are where we’re supposed to be, and that it also never means we can’t intend to be someplace else we want to go. We are getting there, and for sure, we can support each other — and we do through our blogs and comments. Being a creative does add another layer of challenge, no doubt. Thank you for your compliment on my art and writing. This is a bump in the road and I/we’ll forge on. Thanks, Cheryl.
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You will get there Jeanne! We all have our own path as you say and what might seem like a detour is, I believe, where we’re meant to be. But I understand that doubt and sadness of not being where you want to be. My writing year has mostly been rejections this year, but who knows what will happen from here on in?
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Thank you, Andrea. Well, I’ve been having some ideas about how to start changing some of how my path is going … and that is the joy of being creative, eh? We have the ability to think up some new ways to make things better/different. Rejections are tough, but with the talent you have and perseverance, I believe you will reach your goals, too. One other thing I’ve learned is that the Universe is not on our time schedule. 🙂
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I absolutely loved reading this post, Jeanne. What a beautiful way to express these feelings and the images depict—perfectly—your words. Unfortunately, I too, am on that same crooked path that often feels like it disappears or leads to nowhere, certainly with “all things creative.” It can get very depressing, but somehow we keep pushing through and the hope never fully dies oxox
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Thank you – I appreciate that, Donna. I have no plans to quit anytime soon, but I do know I have to regroup. I have to figure ways to manage my time so my writing and illustration have a constant time and place in my life instead of what I do when I’m done everything else – we deserve that, I know, but it’s always a matter of changing old patterns.
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yes, extraordinarily difficult (certainly for me), mostly with life always getting in the way
I still hope and try! Good luck 😀
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And the same to you. We all support one another, even if not a constant exchange, and I find that does help. Did you go to the event in Wyckoff?
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Nah…there was nothing about it that warranted me spending money or time. Would’ve enjoyed seeing everyone, but it wasn’t worth it for me.
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I felt the same, except for me it would have been a 1-1/4 hour schlepp!
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Your photos and the music you chose are beautiful, Jeanne. Keep pursuing your dreams.
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Thank you, Lavinia. While the path may get a little lost at times – or, I do – it’s always there, and I am most definitely still on it. The best of everything to you.
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