Life has a way of forcing us to adapt and change. We spend so much time and energy resisting change without really knowing why. I’ve fought against this my whole life, I wanted complete control even though I know deep down its necessary to let go.
As a freelancer we have to accept change and dance with it instead of fighting against it. Clients come and go. Projects are started and completed. People come into your life and disappear just as fast. But sometimes we just want things to slow down and level off. So I asked myself, how do I get rid of the noise inside my head that says “If things go this way I’m happy, but If things go the opposite way then life sucks?”
After reading a book called The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer, I realized that the best way for me to deal with changes is to surrender to it. Just accept life as it is. Things don’t have to be a certain way for me to be happy and enjoy my work.
I thought about this painting years ago. I wanted to paint a portrait on a piece of cut-out plywood. I searched but I couldn’t find a client that wanted this type of work so I put the idea away. Recently I decided to focus more of my time on things that I could get into 100%. I want to focus on projects that move me on a deeper level and not just projects for money. Even if I never sell this painting it was worth the experience. What I learned from painting this is that sometimes I have to get out of my own way and just create.
Sometimes its good to surrender and let the winds of life blow in a great gift.