You are the artist and the art.
Creating ripple effects into the waters around us.
I thought, "well, I sure fucked this up."
I watched muddied colors bleed through the oceanic artwork.
I found a joyful flow painting an abstract watercolor piece in art therapy. Beautiful shades of blue and purple, melting together deliciously. I was pleased. I felt freedom coming from my fingertips making its way on to the textured paper.
A nagging thought kept pushing me to try something different. Just a little pop of something will add a nice unsuspecting touch. I decided to add red, thinking, "this might spice things up a bit."
In an instant, I watched all the blues mix with reds and turn the nastiest shade of grey-brown. Ugh. I've just ruined this with one stupid choice.
As I stared at the art in regret, my therapist reminded me, "you know, you can change it, if you wish."
Oh, yea. I can change it. The suggestion was so obvious, I shamed myself a bit for not realizing it myself. This is why we have therapists, my friends.
I blotted the muddied colors out, turned the painting upside down and looked at it from a different perspective. Does it need anything? More blue or purple? Nothing at all?
I dabbed on some blue, my favorite color.
I sat back and smiled as it hit me. This was a blatant metaphor for life. That one choice creates a ripple effect on everything. Those moments where we look back in regret and think, "if only I didn't do this..."
But that's just it.
That one choice lead to the next choice, and the next, and the next. I wouldn't be here, in this moment, with this knowledge, if I hadn't made that one choice. Most of the time, it's for the better. We just don't see it yet. Your higher self knows what’s up.
At any point, we have a choice. To make a new decision and create a new path.
A Path Back Home
In another potent art therapy session, I talked about my desire to share my skills and offerings to the community where I live. Growing up on Long Island isn’t the most glamourous (no, I don’t live in the Hamptons). It’s very suburban and…basic. I always told myself I would never live here as an adult.
Coming back after 11 years in New York City is quite the shock. Everything is so much slower, open, and spacious. As a 30-something, I’m finding I crave this type of life. Not necessarily the suburban life, but the nature. Good God, the NATURE. Long Island really is beautiful and rich with history. I took that for granted as a kid.
I love to travel and experience new places, cultures, food, and people. Yet, there’s nothing quite like coming home. Home to myself and home to my family and closest friends. As I contemplate what I want to prioritize in 2024, bringing my unique medicine back to my roots and local community is most important to me right now.
I’ve mostly focused on online offers the last few years. The internet has its own special kind of magic, being able to reach people all over the globe. But presently, I’m craving in-person connections and introducing new ideas to curious and creative people who find themselves in this wide open suburban life. This is where I can create change, even if its the tiniest shift.
This month I’m offering two FREE workshops in my community:
Soma & Sound (with East End THRIVE Recovery & HUGS, Inc.)
Thursday, January 11th at 7pm
101 Mill Rd, Westhampton Beach, NY
RSVP Here
The Artist’s Way Meetup
Tuesday, January 23rd at 7pm
101 Main St, Port Jefferson, NY
Reply to this email to RSVP
Don’t worry, I have some things coming for my online community, too ;)
Expanding With Synergy
Every new year, I feel into a word that begins to unfold towards the end of the previous year. In 2024, I'm leaning into SYNERGY. This is the very essence of a symphony. You can not create a symphony with one instrument. There are many that flow together harmoniously.
This also happens to be a catalyst for prosperity in my Gene Keys profile 🔑
So much of my life, I told myself, I can do it on my own. Especially when it came to my business. In 2023, I uncovered what was underneath that self limiting belief, which was: I don't trust anyone.
As I focused on my personal desires and surrounded myself with loving relationships, I began to trust myself and in turn, other people, too.
Trust magnetized not only inspirational people into my sphere, but people who are meant to amplify big visions and bring them to life. Big visions can not be created alone. It is a collective project.
This is how SYNERGY works⚡️In 2024, I'm bringing BIG visions to life with some pretty incredible people, and I am beyond excited for what's next.
With gratitude,
Olivia