Are You Showing Up?

I put aside a couple of hours late December to review the year that was, and envision 2021. 

One of the questions I asked was “What are the things I wish I did more of this year?”

The answer that jumped off the page was ‘art’.

I reflected back to a time ten years ago, when I’d painted regularly, and mused on how and why art had become a habit for a number of years.

There were a few of factors, but I realised the difference that made the difference was enrolling in a weekly art class. 

Each term I handed over my hard earned dollars and scheduled the weekly 3 hour slots in my diary. And then I showed up. 

Showing up week after week nurtured my artistic skills, understanding of colour, and my enjoyment. 

Whether we’re artists, leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, parents, or friends, showing up is a large chunk of developing mastery and achieving success.

In a TED talk, Elizabeth Gilbert, author of ‘Eat Pray Love’ spoke about showing up regardless of the results:

“Don’t be daunted. Just do your job. Continue to show up for your piece of it, whatever that might be. If your job is to dance, do your dance. If the divine, cockeyed genius assigned to your case decides to let some sort of wonderment be glimpsed, for just one moment through your efforts, then ‘Ole!’ And if not, do your dance anyhow. And ‘Ole!’ to you, nonetheless. I believe this and I feel that we must teach it. ‘Ole!’ to you, nonetheless, just for having the sheer human love and stubbornness to keep showing up.”

I’m showing up again.

Tuesday nights are now ‘Art Nights’. Rain hail or shine I get out a blank canvas and create. Sometimes the results are inspiring, other days average. Either way, I’m loving the process. 

What are you showing up for?