“I really don’t think life is about the I-could-have-beens.  Life is only about the I-tried-to-do.  I don’t mind the failure but I can’t imagine that I’d forgive myself if I didn’t try.”

–Nikki Giovanni

Six weeks ago, I started participating in an online workshop.  It has been lots of fun, quite enlightening, and an excellent chance to meet some new friends.  I was a bit anxious going into it, because I knew that participating would involve my jumping off the cliff into the world of art-journaling.  As you can guess, journaling is very much a part of what I do — perhaps even of what I am.  ART journaling, on the other hand, would take me into a world I have avoided since some harsh criticism from a junior high school teacher.

Well, I did it.  I jumped off that cliff; and I may not be soaring with the eagles of the art community, but I certainly am singing with the sparrows.  I might not soar, but I did discover, like the fledgling pushed from the nest, that if I flapped my wings with enough intention, I would not fall to the ground either.  I am learning how to fly.

It feels good to stretch your muscles and try them out in a new area from time to time.  Will I be a great artist?  I don’t think so.  Greatness is something bestowed on us by the opinions of others; and I haven’t had anyone commission a work of art to hang in their home.  I have had no requests for museum showings or even posters for the basketball team’s Car Wash this month.  What is important is not being a great artist or a great writer or a great anything.  What is important is being true to ourselves and being all that we have the capacity to be in whatever we undertake.

Most importantly, I have learned some things about myself during my adventure in art journaling.  Some things are deep and personal and speak to the Truth that motivates me in all that I do.  Some things are less profound, but still good to know.  I have learned that I can do art.  I have learned that I enjoy doing art.  I have learned that my pursuit of this form of expression will not end when the workshop wraps up at the end of the week.

Whatever your do, don’t let your life be burdened by the “I-could-have-beens.”  Fill it with “I-tried-to,” and don’t worry about being great.  Be who you are — fully — and you will find that you are more than enough.

***If you are interested in finding an online workshop, why not visit Queen Dani’s Page. Just click the link for Workshops and Groups.  Who knows what you might discover there?