Sunday, January 20, 2013

can reading other blogs be bad for your health?



A few weeks ago, I read a blog post by one of my favorite bloggers.

She gave us a month by month glimpse
of the goals she had set and accomplished
during the year 2012, with deep gratitude to everyone
who supported her and her dreams throughout the year.

When I finished reading the blog post – my first thought was
holy shit, I’m a loser. ;-)
I had done so little compared to her.

I felt like i had been
less productive
less ambitious
less organized
with my life in 2012,
compared to her.

Compared to her.

It's hard sometimes not to feel intimidated by others
especially when they seem like
money making,
creative geniuses on steroids.



It's so important to remind ourselves
that everyone's dream is different,
and even without any dreams at all
we all have a place in this world.
It's so important to know for ourselves
why we do this.

Why we make art.

Why we share stories.

Why we reach out to connect to others.


I didn’t publish that book

or go on an art retreat

or reach that six figure salary.

I wasn’t featured in a magazine

or interviewed

and I don’t have a gazillion followers.

But i have you. :-)



I did however, do a bunch of other things
that made me happy.

Like connect with all of you beautiful peeps... :-)

Like be a good mother to my son and a good daughter to my mother.

Like write every day in my journal
and make art every day
and take morning walks with the crunching snow
under my boots.

Like noticing how beautiful the moon is at night
and toasting to the gods of colourful sunsets.

I do what i do because it makes me happy.
Not because it makes me a million dollars -
because it makes me happy.

Here's to trusting that wherever we are in life,
we're all ok.
xox



17 comments:

  1. How perfectly lovely...just what I needed to read. Thank you!

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  2. I have been following you for most of the past year. You have been an inspiration and have accomplished more than most!

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  3. I have been following you for most of the past year. You have been an inspiration and have accomplished more than most!

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  4. Hey I am happy that you took time to do what makes you happy and that true happiness is what is most important my friend !...Being a good mother is I think, a task that needs to be given the top most priority and so you are an achiever :)

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  5. Oh such lovely words Pauline! Sounds great to me if we can be grateful and happy with what we all have, then that is happiness right there for you!

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  6. uh ho boy, I hear you loud and clear my friend! I'm learning I have to just "let go" and be happy with where I am right now. I would get these same feelings and you are absolutely right, the key is what you said 'It's so important to know for ourselves'
    Sometime we don't know and get caught up in the spin of condemning ourselves, comparing ourselves to others and falling prey to our not-so-nice voice in our heads. For me, the goal in 2013 is to just "be" :) Thank you for this important post!
    Fran T xo

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  7. omg...what a great post!! HappyPPF!

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  8. Amen! I absolutely felt the same way after reading several blogs. And, ultimately came to the same conclusion as you. Thank you for your continued inspiration and sharing.

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  9. Pauline, I so hear you. Sometimes i DO feel that reading too many blogs and seeing a lot of people's FB pictures can make you feel like everyone's life is just so much more happening than yours. I loved how you summed up the post. Yes we are all in the right spot and at the right time. And our journey and growth is our own. And its so important to stop and smell the flowers.
    Sending you a big hug from India :)

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  10. It is all about the ride in my book. I didn't half of what I wanted to...just not enough hours in the day. But, I need to be happy about where I am at considering I still have my more than full time day job.
    Thinking of you often, my friend.

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  11. Just think how boring blog-hopping would be if everyone's art and writing were the same. One of the reasons I like coming to your blog - apart from your amazing artwork - is that the art and your inspirational words are so different from anyone else's.
    I don't set goals (had enough of that in employment), and if we don't set them there is no disappointment in not reaching them!
    If I have goals they are, as you say, to be a good loving parent, and just to be as contented as possible and nice to others every day. Lovely post, and artwork - in particular I love the lines on your seagull sketch, and the caricature.

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  12. Pauline, with the death of your Mom, you've faced exactly what most of us never want to face. I think you deserve a pass for the year, if not for the next few. Or ten. Your work is beautiful and filled with love. How can that not be equivalent? Enjoy the art process and grieve.
    Hugs and love, Kim

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  13. Exactly!! Perfectly said! A sage woman you have brought joy and wisdom to those who stop here!!

    Hugs Giggles

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