Life’s Stairway
Tag: patience
Relaxation That Follows/Waiting For Inspiration
As my Followers would be aware, recently my Wife and I went to Norfolk Island. Since returning from Paradise it ‘has been all go’ though strangely (but no surprise) I have felt a greater sense of relaxation throughout this busy time. I put that down to the way of life that is Norfolk Island.
I have felt this way before after both our previous trips to the Island. It is hard to imagine unless you have experienced it but as soon as you step off the plane on Norfolk Island a wave of relaxation washes over you. Each time upon returning home, that relaxation has followed me.
We have been very busy since our return (even though the sense of relaxation remained)…
- Our Finance Broking business is growing more and more/more enquiries since our return
- I am also part of an emerging BNI (Business Network International) business breakfast referral group
- Doing training/education associated with both of the above
- I continue to do my Entrepreneurship Facilitator role (mentoring start-up businesses)
- My Watercolour Sketch a Day project continues
- I am gearing up to have a stall for my Watercolours down at Red Point Artist Association in May
- Still involved with Toastmasters (though have only made it to one meeting)
- Judging at one of the local Photographic Societies
- Catching up with Family/Friends
One thing that had not happened since my return was ‘my morning writing time’, or indeed much writing time at all. It is a bit of a culture-shock to come back from such a relaxing holiday and jump headlong into being so busy but ‘life waits for no-one!’ I usually enjoy an hour or two on a Saturday and/or Sunday morning. Sometimes, it is later in the day.
I haven’t put many poems on the blog since my return almost 6 weeks ago. It is probably (since I started writing poetry in 2013) the longest writing break I’ve experienced since then.
For a moment there I started to think that maybe ‘my poetry writing had run its course…’. This morning (Good Friday here in Australia), I finally felt like picking up my trusty Fountain Pen and started to write, inspired by a photo I took whilst on Norfolk Island. A short, twelve-line poem came out, then a sixteen-line one, then an eight-line one, all of which I will upload.
Sometimes I guess, we just have to let ‘Nature take its course…’. The seeds of the Poems were there…I just had to be patient and wait for the inspiration to come…
Till next time!
Written and Photographed by David Johnson
15 April 2022
I’m Not Trying To Be Perfect, I Just Want To Be Me…
Last month, I purchased the book, ‘Watercolor 365 Daily Tips, Tricks & Techniques’ by Leslie Redhead. Already, I have seen the benefits of having this book to refer to.
One of the tips within the book is to, ‘stop using a pencil and eraser to draw with and instead use a marker instead.’
I wouldn’t call myself ‘naturally talented’ in drawing or sketching. It is a skill I am endeavouring to get better at and so, I have been practicing with ‘a pencil accompanied by a trusty eraser,’ though probably not as often as ought to have been. The thought of drawing/sketching with a non-erasable marker was quite daunting.
Apparently, using a marker instead of the pencil/eraser combination will result in gaining skills in drawing/sketching quicker and these are skills I can build my paintings on.
I took up this challenge this week, grabbing an A5 110gsm sketchbook and started sketching away. It is quite a refreshing experience, I must say. If I put a mark/line in the wrong place, I have to be creative and work out ‘how to save’ the sketch.
When I did a basic drawing course 11 years ago, the instructor looked at my drawings and said that, ‘I was a line drawer, not a tonal drawer and that my lines were so straight they looked like an architectural drawing.’
This is not necessarily bad, though. I guess its a style. One of my goals has been to try to ‘loosen up’ and not draw so many straight lines. I quite enjoy looking at the style of many Artists and hobbyists who draw/sketch/paint in a relaxed style.
We’ve all probably heard the line, ‘practice makes perfect.’ I’m not trying to be perfect I just want to be me’…and I am having fun exploring exactly what that means in terms of drawing, sketching and painting.
I’m practicing my sketching/drawing now more than ever and I am endeavouring to let go of the thought that the lines need to perfect.
It will take time and patience, but I’ll get there.
Written by David Johnson
February 2021
Nurtured Thought
Patience Is The Key
Contemplative Will
Contemplative moves
Contemplating self
The players deny
Any offers of help
Locked in a battle
Of wits with a friend
Two players duel
And contemplate the end
Strategies imparted
Strategies rebuked
This day’s win
Will be no fluke
Eye contact minimal
Nothing is given away
Piece for piece traded
Nothing stands in their way
All eyes on the duo
Patience unbending
As each of them seeks
The perfect of endings
On this overcast day
In the middle of the park
These two will keep duelling
Till well after dark
When the match has concluded
Shake hands, yes they will
Until they next meet
To get their ‘Chess thrill!’
Written by David Johnson
20 September 2015
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
Communicating Creatively 