Day 4- Be Brave

This image from the people at Natural Life really resonated with me. I'm not so afraid to suck at something new as I used to be but it is a constant voice in my head to not let fear take the driver's seat. I chose this theme without thinking of a story to share. Now I'm in your spot when I ask you to journal about being brave.

I think I'll talk about when I learned to play the guitar.

I always wanted a portable instrument. Knowing how to play the piano did not serve me at the music jams that me and my "was-band" used to gather. I finally got a guitar and started to play. And suck! Those illusions of being a singer songwriter were looking more and more elusive. I was told to play through the pain of building calluses on my left fingers. Having to cut my nails was another sacrifice.

It was all worth it when I got on stage at the Dead Goat Saloon and played/sang Angel From Montgomery in front of real people. There might have been some beer involved. It was such a rush to perform. I played simple guitar for a lot of years. Recently, I decided to get a mandolin. I had fallen in love with the music that beautiful instrument is capable of. And now I can suck at something new until I don't!

Journal Activity

*Make a list (rapid log in bullet journal speak) of things you'd like to try but have to get your brave on to do it. Writing a book, acting in a play, singing in a choir, selling art at the farmer's market...anything.

*Now pick one of those and write a story about how you go about doing this brave thing. Get creative. Think possibilities.

Art Activity

*Create a Brave Intuitive Art painting.

I'll share my process soon (I am imaging myself walking up to my studio with my new hip!) , but until then..one of my favorite artist/teachers is Flora Bowley. This video is pretty inspiring. She is just making a painting start to finish so there isn't any tool/supply talk. I will invite you to use what you have or if you have NOTHING or if you need an excuse to go to the art supply store - just start with simple. Here are suggested materials:

*Substrate - canvas (the stretched and already gesso'd boards you can get from any art supply store, wood board, heavy fabric tacked to a wall or a table. Here's something super brave - paint over a painting in your collection or something you find at a thrift store. The are framed paintings at most the junk shops I scavenge at.

*acrylic paints - select primary colors (red yellow blue) and some black and white. These will all mix other colors

*paint brushes - any quality, mark making tools- think old credit cards, cookie cutters, old kitchen tools, sponges (make up brushes and sponges you don't use), cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towels, waded up paper towels!, use your imagination.

https://youtu.be/eN4idXJjyZI

Medicine:

Free style dance. Dance like you mean it. I don't like the phrase "dance like nobody is watching" I almost always have a watching audience in my head when I dance. Just ask my sisters who grew up watching me dance in front of the mirror :)

I started going the NIA class taught by one of my favorite people. Movement never felt so good.

This is a flash mob NIA dance so you can see what I'm talking about. Find your own groove!

https://youtu.be/xzPq4SJCXqk

peace, love and light - Tori