Will I Even Be Able To Do This??

Behind The Scenes: My Adventures In Returning To Wellness

That's the question I started asking myself when opportunities to share my art with you started arriving this year.

I've wanted since 2020 to share with you the new paintings I've been creating, and ways to do that have started coming, but at the same time other things have happened that have made that really challenging.

You see, behind the scenes, behind the email announcements you've been getting about all the wonderful art shows featuring my paintings, I've been working not only on art but on addressing several health challenges.

The Challenges

I worked my way through procedures in both eyes (cataract removal, followed by "secondary cataract" fixes a year later). I'm so thankful to see beautifully again and be able to drive again, too.

The most challenging, though, has been an injury that made it difficult to walk without significant pain. It started early in 2022, and it's been quite a time working through the process of figuring out what it was and how to address it.

It became difficult to stand for very long or even walk much. I ended up having to use a cane more and more since June 2024. Many times, my body hurt even when I was "doing nothing" or just lying in bed.

What I Did To Heal

So I did what we all must do when these life surprises appear:

• I slowed down.
• I felt the pain.
• I meditated on what my body needed and what she was telling me through physical discomfort.

Eventually, I made some changes I'd needed to accept for a long time:

• I slowed down even more.
• I stopped operating on adrenaline because I reduced my commitments dramatically.
• I retired from a highly successful astrology practice, even though I still love astrology, because after 25 years it was simply time to let go and give myself full time to my art.
• I gave up some activities and let go of some organizations that had run their course.
• I said "no" more. A lot more.
• I focused on taking care of myself. (Until then, I didn't even know what "take care" really meant.)
• I made a practice of using the hand rails on stairs and bringing a cane (and using it) if I had to. (That was hard - I really didn't want to make it obvious how much I was hurting.)
• I spoke up for myself more and more: both to protect myself and to get what I needed in the way I needed to receive it.
• I started to ask for help, as often as necessary. (That was hard, but I learned how much people cared and wanted to do what they could to help me feel well again.)

The miracle is that solutions have come forward little by little, just when they've been needed and I was ready.

Progress

This year, when the weather got warm enough, I started going outside around sunrise each day. I would go in the backyard and walk barefoot on the grass to soak up the morning dew and feel connected to nature's healing potential.

What I learned was that I always felt better on the grass than on hard things like concrete. Also, being in the stillness at that magical time of day's dawning was healing, even if all I could do was walk over to look at the trees and then go sit on the patio.

Eventually, though, I started doing little stretches and exercises (in my jammies, out there on the lawn). My body was starting to relax and heal, and I could move around more easily. I started to feel like maybe, maybe, I'd be able to stand long enough to welcome people to an art opening. Or maybe even stand for many hours over several days so I could handle setting up a booth at an art fair and be able to stand for multiple days.

I didn't feel comfortable going for a walk on sidewalks yet, but I did want to help my legs get stronger. So my husband and I resumed our Sunday sunrise bike rides this summer - about an hour each time.

Standing On One Foot

Then I started standing on one foot at a time on the grass to see if I could balance on one leg.

Well, I could do only a few seconds at first, but soon I was at 30 seconds, then 40. It felt like my body was literally getting back into balance on all planes, not just physically, after such a long time of imbalance.

I am so much better now than even a few months ago!

Yes, I Can!

So it feels like yes, I will be able to do all the things I've been telling you about in recent months: welcoming you to my art openings and walking around to show you my paintings.

Plus bringing many, many beautiful new paintings to the two big art fairs coming up so you can come and be immersed in beauty and vibrant color.

The Victory

I know this message is really different from what I usually talk about. Thank you for reading it: I wanted you to know that every art event I'm able to share with you is a victory not only for my painting but for our shared human potential to overcome obstacles.

I couldn't have come this far without you. Just knowing you're part of my life by joining my email list means so very, very much to me. I can feel your presence and support through our connection, and I appreciate every email you open, every reply you send me, and every comment on social media posts.

Thank you for always caring and wishing me well.

I hope very much to see you at one of the upcoming art events this fall if you're able to attend! (And I know you'll be with me "in spirit" even if you live far away.)

With love and thankfulness,

Anne