Self Doubt and Missed Opportunities
June 26, 2024
This handsome Chief is hanging in the home of a wonderful young couple in Fort Worth, Texas. They had seen some of my other Native American paintings and decided it was time to approach me about painting one for them. “Neighborhood Watch” was created with excitement on my part because I knew how excited they would be. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t worried about their reaction when they first saw it.
Do you get nervous when you put yourself out there in front of others in any way? Maybe it’s cooking a special meal or teaching a class? Or giving a presentation, playing a game of pickleball, a round of golf, or sharing in a small group? Or simply asking a question.
The list of things we do that often make us nervous or anxious varies for each of us and even can vary day by day. Self-doubt can paralyze us if we let it. But if we allow our fear of (your fear goes here) how do we move forward? Yes, we will definitely blow it in many ways along our journey, but we will also grow in so many ways by those failures and rejections. The beauty is in the process, not the final outcome!
I have only had one person reject a commission along the way. (The orange in the shirt on the figure in my painting didn’t match the orange in the client’s sofa!😂). Yet I still get nervous every time I deliver a painting. Or have a show. Or send an email. But I’d miss out on so much if I stayed in my own little world.
I love to fish! I’ve been doing it all my life. Can you see that tiny little trout in my hands???😭😂😎 If I had been too nervous to go fishing that day or too worried about what size fish, if any, I caught I would have missed out on such a special day with my daughter, Abby. Let’s all try to work through out self-doubts and/or fears and say “yes” to life!
My Arrowhead Chief that I showed you last week is just about ready to get varnished and sent to it’s new home. I can’t wait to show you! Let me know if I can say “yes” to anything you might like to see hanging on your walls. Until next time, go enjoy some “Art and Living”!! Bye for now……..
Lynn
P.S….. After a great day of fishing with Abby, I ended up in the ER. I was having so much fun I forgot to pinch the barb down on the hook and ended up catching my finger!😩😳. Worth it for the memories!!
P.S.S….If you are finding these emails worth reading and enjoying little glimpses into my life each week, I’d love for you to spread the word.