Stay with me, said the painting to the artist.
The artist replied, “No, I want you to reveal your magic NOW. I don’t have time to hang around waiting for you to get your sh*t together.”
“All in good time,” replied the painting with a smile. “Life is infinite.”
“Grrrr. I have other things to do. I can’t sit around and wait for the next step on this stupid painting.”
“With an attitude like that, nothing good will ever come to you because you’re too busy running away from the magic moments in your haste to go nowhere.”
“You’re withholding,” the artist said and rolled her eyes.
“What are your priorities? To run around being busy with trivialities or to contemplate what is really important in life? It’s not about a painting but about your approach to life. Even though you act like one, you’re not a hamster on a wheel.”
“Sometimes I feel like I am. It’s the hardest thing to wait for the true prompts, the ones that come from within,” said the artist.
“You’re hard-wired to make, to accomplish, to perform and get results as quickly as possible, but life doesn’t work like that. If you can see your painting as life, you are on the right track. Humble down a notch or two and open up to possibilities. Stop being a robot.”
“Patience is the hardest part. I get so frustrated, and especially if the painting turns into an ugly mess. Stops me right in the tracks.”
“The painting has its own journey and destinations. Not every painting is destined to be a masterpiece, just as you’re not destined to become a violinist.”
“I get so bored, waiting.”
“Stay with me,” begged the painting.
“It’s like the lottery. You have to wait to find out if you won or not.”
“I have a winning number if you can stick with the process and not leave just as the magic is about to happen,” the painting said.
“I want guarantees,” said the artist. “How do I know this ugly mess can turn into something beautiful.”
“Butterflies start out as hairy caterpillars that no one likes, but then… transformation!”
“Yeah, right.” The artist sighed and stared at the painting. Â She bristled with frustration. “I feel antsy.”
“Do something else for a while. Go for a walk and then come back to me,” said the painting. “You are not a prisoner even if you think you are. You are a prisoner of expectations.”
“I like to accomplish things. It makes me feel good to not waste time.”
“What is important to you, dear?”
The artist thought about it for a while. “To experience the mystery. Everything else is old hat, endless repetition.”
“Stay with me then. I will transform you as I transform into real beauty,” said the painting.
The artist sighed and tried a few brush strokes, and right in front of her eyes, magic was revealed. All she had to do was to bring it out.
What a feeling!
(The painting at the top of the post is not finished, but it will be some day.) 🙂
P.S. Here’s a post about resistance you might like: Who is in Charge?
