Traveling Muses
November 11th, 2008
I drew an image like this one in my process journal for Soul Coaching and decided to paint it on watercolor paper with acrylic paint and ink today. I'm not sure what the image is about exactly, but when I drew it I felt like the women were muses and they were also the birds circling the tree. I'm calling it, "Traveling Muses" and it's about 11"x9".
Today in Soul Coaching we're asked to look at what zaps our energy and what juices it. It's about tuning into your body and recognizing the feeling you have when you do or think about these things and whether you get, as Martha Beck calls it, "a shackles on or shackles off" sort of feeling. For me, aimless and excessive computer time is an energy zapper. Sometimes my aimless wandering is full of great inspiration and I wouldn't want to completely take that away. However, there is a line and when I cross it into too much clicking and reading and staring at the endless internet, I get totally drained. So, I'm aware that I need to limit this wandering, give myself space for it, but put a time constraint on it, so that it remains inspiring and not deadening.
I'm also finding that looking at my to-do list is an energy zapper. I haven't quite figured out how to parcel up bits of things to do each day and so I look at the list of things to do, get totally overwhelmed, and do nothing (or a lot of things that aren't on the to-do list, but suddenly seem very important.) On the other hand, when I'm able to break tasks down into doable chunks and accomplish something, I feel fantastic. Nothing like a bit of accomplishment to brighten my mood.
Other energy zappers for me include, trying too hard to please everyone and staying in bed too long. Other energy juicers include a shower with good smelling shampoo and soap, yoga, art-making, laughing with the hubster, playing with my cats, and dancing too good music. This morning, having read the day's entry beforehand, I consciously got up a little earlier in order to avoid the energy zap of staying in bed too long. And I also got to work on my art earlier in order to boost my energy. Right now though, I'm feeling a bit drained. Might have something to do with that hovering to-do list. I think I'll pick one small thing to work on and go from there. Wish me luck! 
22 Responses
Good Luck!
Posted by: Caroline | Nov 11, 2008 at 3:17 pm |
I love this one, too. I have a tree in my post today, too. And I also talk about understanding our own patterns. Coincidence?
Today in my post I said there were no coincidences, only patterns. Hmm.
That said, aimless internet is a zapper for me, too… although judicious internet is inspiring. How to find that balance, do you think?
Posted by: rowena | Nov 11, 2008 at 3:54 pm |
I like how your painting relates to what you read. I am getting curious now and ordered the Soul Coaching book!
Posted by: papercord | Nov 11, 2008 at 4:57 pm |
The to-do list was on my list as well… (ha). Scary how we overwhelm ourselves and then it just drags us down, and nothing’s even happened yet.
Posted by: queenalpo | Nov 11, 2008 at 5:01 pm |
leah, best wishes on all of your efforts. i am totally digging the concepts of energy zappers and energy juicers. 4 of my favorite energy juicers are Reiki, yoga, music, and meditation. 3 of my most common energy zappers are the need to control all outcomes and processes, not drinking enough water, and staying up way past my bedtime and expecting my body to function at full capacity.
your painting of the muses makes me think of the three phases of a woman’s cycle when represented by goddesses: maiden, mother, and crone. all of them carry wisdom and insight. they travel with each of us.
Posted by: Ananda Leeke | Nov 11, 2008 at 5:58 pm |
I love this painting!
I have a thing for crow/raven type birds…but I also like that the women are also the birds and the whole muses idea…I also love the dynamics of three…the tree is beautiful too! As is the circular movement in the painting…
I was told once (and I have forgotten part of it) that your daily list should have no more than about 5 things on it…things that you figure you will have a good chance of doing (not 5 huge things)…otherwise it can be too depressing if it’s so long you will never be able to get to the end of it…then, at the bottom of this list – but folded back, so it isn’t in your face, maybe 3 more things that, if you get the first things done and still have time/energy/desire, you can then do them…important also to cross things off as you do them…that visual affirmation!
Someone else told me that I should sit down with my husband and we should make a list that we think are things that need doing and prioritize them…this list should be kept somewhere accessible, but not in your face and you may have some of these things on your ‘to do for the day’ list…just make sure to cross them off when they get done!
I also think you need a 3rd list, also not in your face, but accessible, of your personal things to do…
Wow…a lot of lists!
I, of course, don’t follow this…but do feel I should!
I make lists and they end up burried in the piles I am supposed to be keeping under control…it’s on the list!
Posted by: Tammy | Nov 11, 2008 at 6:28 pm |
Wishing you the best of luck!
I loved your painting. It reminds me of the Three Wise Women. The tree is alive.
Posted by: Genie Sea | Nov 11, 2008 at 6:43 pm |
Your paintings are beautiful. I love them.
Posted by: Apple | Nov 11, 2008 at 7:07 pm |
Today I had a break in my day and stopped at the local art gallery to take in the new show. (I’m in it too.
I loved seeing my piece hanging there. I also enjoyed so much of the others art. It was an upper/juicer to talk to Judie the director, and try on her jewelry in the gift shop area…I felt revived and ready to return to work after that brief but colorful break.
Your three female muses/birds feel tribal to me.
The cloaks they are wearing felt at first Middle Eastern but then 1800’s American too. What a mix.
Posted by: lynn | Nov 11, 2008 at 7:09 pm |
I really love this painting. So many of your pieces really speak to me on a spiritual level and I have to tell you that I use your lighthouse woman and your woman searching with a light at the forest’s edge in visualizations that I do! I’m not sure what path you follow, but I feel that your work reaches out spiritually to others of many faiths. They are trulay inspiring.
As for lists, I usually have a daily list in my Day Timer where it’s easy to draw arrows from something that doesn’t get done to another day of the week, but also have weekly and monthly lists that I draw off of for the longer term and bigger things that need doing. But I’m a list person, I love to be able to cross things off!
Posted by: Wendy Edsall-Kerwin | Nov 11, 2008 at 7:10 pm |
I would love to join Creative Every Day 2008!!
Posted by: Apple | Nov 11, 2008 at 7:15 pm |
Staying in bed too long is one of my downfalls as well! I always manage to trick myself but saying ‘other people sleep in, why can’t you?’ – but every time I try, I wind up moshing about most of the time listlessly not accomplishing anything because I think the day is wasted. Go figure!
Posted by: Allison | Nov 11, 2008 at 8:15 pm |
Great painting. I love it!
Posted by: Tequitia | Nov 11, 2008 at 10:24 pm |
Your artwork really inspires – it all makes me feel peaceful – love it!!!!
hugs–Ellie
Posted by: ELLIE | Nov 11, 2008 at 10:35 pm |
I LOVE this!
Posted by: Kathryn | Nov 11, 2008 at 11:28 pm |
This is beautiful piece of art, Leah, and has a definite spiritual feel to it….maybe you connected to your authentic self when creating it.
I too spend way too much time on the internet…it’s kinda like a Catch 22….I love browsing other blogs as they are so inspiring and I also get to meet new people but, in doing so, it takes away from my own creative time. Maybe I just need to balance things a little better.
Posted by: Serena | Nov 11, 2008 at 11:30 pm |
I love your art work for today (but let’s face it, I love your art work every day!) and it made me think of three wise women on the path of enlightenment. I know exactly what you mean by the internet going from something fun, interesting and inspiring to feeling like you’re on information overload and you’re too involved in the lives of people you don’t actually know, you just think you do! To do lists are a downer for me too. I have found the strategy of clearing out the to do list regularly (if I haven’t cleaned the bottom drawer out in 6 months, what makes me think it is going to happen this week?) or having one big “master list” and then doing little weekly lists.
Posted by: Maree | Nov 11, 2008 at 11:50 pm |
What a beautiful creation and as always in your paintings … I just love all the movement and flowing of colours. The title is just perfect. And again the colour combo is just beautiful. Warm regards
Posted by: Desire Fourie | Nov 12, 2008 at 12:07 am |
This one is especially pretty! It has a very Russian/winter feel to me. I like it.
Posted by: bella | Nov 12, 2008 at 10:15 am |
I love this piece! Very cool and I like how it ties into your soul coaching. I have been following some of the lessons via people’s blogs and should have gotten the book too but haven’t yet. It seems like a wonderfully transformative experience.
Posted by: Amy | Nov 12, 2008 at 1:11 pm |
Leah, this is breathtaking. Such movement and sense of place! Great work….
Posted by: louisa | Nov 12, 2008 at 6:37 pm |
this is beautiful! i love this one!
Posted by: the girl documentary | Nov 13, 2008 at 9:31 pm |