I was reminded this week how short and unexpected life can be. One of my friends died on Monday. She was only 60 years old, very active and was in good health as far as anyone knew. It was a real shock to all of us. It made me realize how important it is to not take anything for granted. Then on the forum recently, one of our members started a thread about how she didn’t have enough time to do any needle felting due to obligations and life in general. This got me thinking about how important it is to follow your passion. Each of us has certain talents and passions and I think it’s important to create from that unique perspective. Only you can create your own particular vision and if you don’t do that, then it will be lost to the world.
Last year, I issued a challenge to create something every day and even if you only had 5 minutes during the day, to use that 5 minutes to follow your passion. It doesn’t really matter what that passion is or if you’re even that good at what you’re creating. It’s important to spend that few moments doing what you most like to do. All of us have obligations and many times life gets in the way but I’m sure if you turned off the TV, the computer and all the other electronic gadgets in your life, you would find that you have more time than you think. I was following this practice last year, but somehow, I have gotten back into bad habits and I haven’t been as successful with creating every day this year. I don’t know about you, but when I’m not in the studio for a while, I get grumpy and discouraged. For those of you with a family and children, many times you feel overwhelmed and unable to take any time for yourself. Which do you think is better for your children, a grumpy, stressed out parent? Or one who is taking time to fulfill their dreams and passions?
So I am writing this post to rededicate myself to following my dreams, spending less time with electronics, more time with family and friends and creating art every day even if only for five minutes. I am grateful for all that I have in my life. Even when I am really busy I need to remember that life is unpredictable and that every day is a blessing. Today, I am going to celebrate the 4th of July at the lake with my family and friends. We will be remembering our friend, celebrating her life and the good times that we all enjoyed. I hope that you are well and that you make the time to follow your passions. Thanks for stopping by!
Ruth Lane Art 
I’ve taken to going to the studio first and the computer when I need to sit down and rest. The kids used to bring me by stitching when I got too stressed, so that was the answer in our family. No stressed out mom-too unpleasant to deal with!
That’s a good idea Sandy. I don’t have kids but it sounds like yours are very supportive.
I agree with everything you wrote Ruth – have a good rememberance day.
Thanks Lyn.
Thank you, Ruth, for this wonderful piece! It’s a reminder that we all need to listen to, because you are right–we must follow our passions. And OMG, do I ever waste a lot of time! Do I really need to watch an hour of news per day? Cut out half an hour and spend it on art! How many times per day do we really need to check our email?
I have no excuses, since my children are grown and out of the house.
I did felt this morning, but if I hadn’t, I would have made sure I squeezed it in today. Even when I am tired, I have found that sitting down and doing some hand embroidery is relaxing and fulfilling. Even just for ten minutes. So are you setting a new challenge?
You’re welcome Cathy. It is easy to waste a lot of time these days, isn’t it? If you’d like to take this as a challenge, that would be great. You could start a thread on the forum to encourage others to follow along.
Thank you Ruth.
So sorry to hear about your friend, and how apt that this post should arrive today. I’ve not long returned from the funeral of my oldest and dearest friend. She was 66! Widowed 15 years ago she said, “I either sink, or I swim”. She swam, she swam oceans!
We’ll each miss our friends, but we won’t forget them. Time is short, we must make the most of what we have. I’m going to swim in creativity. 🙂
Thanks Judith – I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. Swimming in creativity sounds like a wonderful thing to do.
Amen! Wise words Ruth. We’ve all lost someone too soon and it seems we continue to need reminders to live with purpose. I’m sorry for your loss and Judith’s as well. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Marilyn. I’m not sure how we get stuck back into bad habits and ruts so easily but I do seem to need reminders. But this is a very hard way to be reminded so hopefully I won’t need a reminder anytime soon.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss Ruth, but glad you have found a way of creating a positive outcome from your friend’s untimely departure. It is sad that we need to suffer such a loss to remind ourselves just how fragile and precious each day is. My thoughts are with you. I hope you had a fabulous day by the lake with your family.
Thanks Teri. We had a good day on the lake and told stories of our friend and just enjoyed being by the lake and being with friends and family. It is too bad that we forget that life is fragile and precious when we get caught up in the minutiae. I am going to focus on what’s important and forget the small stuff.
Ruth, great idea for a challenge. I’m on it! Again, so sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear about your loss, Ruth. I hope you had a nice day with your friends and family and enjoyed remembering the good times with your friend.
Thanks Zed – we had a good day.
So sorry to her about your friend. You are so right about wasted time. I am trying to cut down on the number of groups and friend I don’t really know on facebook as it takes a lot of time and I find some of them very frustrating. So why am I wasting my time when I could be creating.
Thanks Ann – And you’ve got it exactly right – sometimes we do things that really aren’t the best thing for us. Saying no is hard but it is great when you have more time for creating.
Hello Ruth, what a lovely blog. How very sad to lose a good friend. You have written some very wise words. I agree Life is very precious and way to short.
I give thanks every day for my wonderful hubby, family and friends. For the last couple of days I have spent many hours In my sewing room embellishing my seascape and enjoying every minute of it. I also would look out my sewing room window and gaze upon my garden blooming and smile. It doesn’t seem right not to be working on some project. Smile. I am happy to have met you. Hugs Judy
Thanks Judy! I’m glad you have time to spend those hours doing what you love to do 🙂
What a great post. I’m just home from 2 beach trips in 3 weeks. A few years ago I would have felt guilt taking 2 weeks away to do NOTHING. No more! I really needed to time to recharge and refocus.
Thanks Vicki – Glad you were able to get away and relax!