Beth, every word of this post resonates with me. I too have found meditation so helpful with my daily life. It puts me in the present and helps my breathing especially because I have asthma. And when I miss a day because of traveling etc., my breathing is off and I have a twinge of anxiety.
Meanwhile your sketches are amazing! What a delightful genre for you to draw. I love your daughter’s sketch! Please keep on keeping!
Thank you for your comment. I agree that staying in the present is vital. Like you, I have asthma and have benefited from meditation and other activities that bring about relaxation.
Thank you for your kind words about the sketches! I miss doing them, so I am bound to start with sketching again. Arielle is teaching me a lot; I am learning so much from her.
Beth, your blog is a constant source of inspiration! I'm so impressed by your dedication to self-discovery and creative self-care. It's wonderful to see you embracing sketching again, especially following Arielle's talented lead. (And truly, both of your artistic abilities are remarkable!) You're right, let's seize the moment and live intentionally. Thank you for being a light in our world; we need this more than ever.
Wow. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. I am trying to live intentionally as much as I can. With the way things are going politically, it is difficult to focus on this goal, but I'm continuing to keep it in focus.
I'm excited about learning more about art -- I still have loads to learn, and I've attended webinars on oil painting techniques that will hopeful to me. And sketching can be so much fun. We will carry on and live our lives fully and artistically.
If you want to live intentionally, look no further than this comprehensive and thoughtful list. Just the other day I was reflecting with a friend saying, how much time do you want to give away to mindless chatter, and how much time do you want to save for yourself, to nurture familial bonds, share in creative activities, grow in the things you absolutely love to do!? What's so inspiring about your blog is that you are constantly reinventing and discovering new ways to creatively take care of yourself. I love that you are following your daughter Arielle's lead and doing more sketches (by the way, both of you have exceptional talent here, thank you for sharing.) There is no time to waste, let's live on purpose! Thank you Beth!
Thank you so much, Gerry, for your comment. Your conversation with your friend sounds like it was so incredibly meaningful. As we know, time is of the essence. We need to nurture ourselves now in a plethora of ways, including bonds with others and spending time tending to what we love to do. And, so important, these are ways of tending to ourselves and our loved ones.
I so appreciate your stating my publication is inspiring. I take a lot of time thinking about what could make my life more meaningful and more impactful and then I take the necessary action. Thank you for your kind words about my and my daughter's artwork. Yes, Gerry, time is of the essence and we must live on purpose. Thank you!!
Beth, These are all good tips for living life intentionally. I've spent the majority of my life living on my own terms, forging my way alone. Not always easy, but rewarding just the same. I'm glad to see you have a close relationship with your daughter. You are both talented artists.
Thank you, Pamela. Living on one's own terms can be challenging, but like you say, it can be rewarding. Thank you for the high compliment on our artwork. I so appreciate it.
Great tips and reminders too, Beth. The tip I need to work on the most -- Living in the present. I tend to worry about so many things I've either done or should be doing. I need to drop all of that and live in the present. Your sketch, as well as the one your daughter sketched, look great.
Thanks so much for your comment, Nancy! I struggle with living in the present, too. It seems so many times I'm living in the past or worrying about the future. However, I continue to try living in the present. Creating art has helped me because when I'm sketching or oil painting, only the present exists, and it feels wonderful.
And thanks for the kind words about our artwork. I so appreciate you!
Your words, 'For many, conscious living is well within our control,' really resonated with me. It's so easy to feel like we're victims of circumstance, but you're right – we have the power to choose how we respond to life's challenges and create a life that aligns with our values and aspirations. It's empowering to remember that we're not just passengers on this journey; we're the drivers.
I so appreciate your comment and your restack of my essay. I totally agree that feeling like a victim is not conducive to empowerment. I love what you've said here: "It's empowering to remember that we're not just passengers on this journey; we're the drivers." Yes we are. Thank you!
This was such a great post, Beth! I talk about a lot of these things with clients on a regular basis. It's nice to see some of your other art work. The sketch of your nephew is fantastic. I absolutely love Ari's self-portrait. It's nice that you can share one of your favorite hobbies with her!
Thank you so much, Pam! I can see why you speak with clients about these self-care basics regularly. It is true that these self-care practices work!
Thank you for your kind words about my sketch of my nephew. It's been forever since I did serious sketching. Now, Arielle and I have occasional contests over who can sketch an apple best, and she wins hands-down. I am sooooo rusty, I can barely draw the apple.
Arielle and I are thinking about enrolling in a watercolor painting class for a month this summer at a local community college. I love watercolors, but it's way out of my comfort zone and every time I've tried it, it's gone haywire. We really, really want to take an art class together, and for me, it's extra special, as she will be starting college in the summer of 2026. Can you believe it? I just want as much together time with her as possible at this point.
It’s a good and therapeutic exercise just to write these things out, to sort through them in your head. Keep following Arielle, you two have a mutual connection through art that strengthens your mother-daughter bond. Paying attention to our mental health is more important than ever these days. Wishing you lots of good days and experiences to balance out the times we live in. ❤️
Yes, writing these self-care mantras out really helps reinforce what's important to me. Now I need to keep mulling them over, so I don't forget them in my senior moments -- ha!
Arielle and I luckily have that connection through art, which I never expected when she was little. She spent a lot of time watching me, and like most kids, she loved drawing. I'm so glad it became a serious hobby for her. I hope she never loses her artful ways. She's kind of like my mentor now.
Yes, living in this country is really stressful. I'm thankful that you and I have art to help us cope. Art seems to be one of the few certainties in an uncertain world.
Such great traits to be learning asap! Boundaries are one of the most useful traits for the workplace which took a bit to figure out. Then enforcing those as well! Carving out time for ourselves--so needful. Appreciate those sketches, Beth; time well spent!
Beth, every word of this post resonates with me. I too have found meditation so helpful with my daily life. It puts me in the present and helps my breathing especially because I have asthma. And when I miss a day because of traveling etc., my breathing is off and I have a twinge of anxiety.
Meanwhile your sketches are amazing! What a delightful genre for you to draw. I love your daughter’s sketch! Please keep on keeping!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your comment. I agree that staying in the present is vital. Like you, I have asthma and have benefited from meditation and other activities that bring about relaxation.
Thank you for your kind words about the sketches! I miss doing them, so I am bound to start with sketching again. Arielle is teaching me a lot; I am learning so much from her.
Beth, your blog is a constant source of inspiration! I'm so impressed by your dedication to self-discovery and creative self-care. It's wonderful to see you embracing sketching again, especially following Arielle's talented lead. (And truly, both of your artistic abilities are remarkable!) You're right, let's seize the moment and live intentionally. Thank you for being a light in our world; we need this more than ever.
Hi Marie,
Wow. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. I am trying to live intentionally as much as I can. With the way things are going politically, it is difficult to focus on this goal, but I'm continuing to keep it in focus.
I'm excited about learning more about art -- I still have loads to learn, and I've attended webinars on oil painting techniques that will hopeful to me. And sketching can be so much fun. We will carry on and live our lives fully and artistically.
If you want to live intentionally, look no further than this comprehensive and thoughtful list. Just the other day I was reflecting with a friend saying, how much time do you want to give away to mindless chatter, and how much time do you want to save for yourself, to nurture familial bonds, share in creative activities, grow in the things you absolutely love to do!? What's so inspiring about your blog is that you are constantly reinventing and discovering new ways to creatively take care of yourself. I love that you are following your daughter Arielle's lead and doing more sketches (by the way, both of you have exceptional talent here, thank you for sharing.) There is no time to waste, let's live on purpose! Thank you Beth!
Thank you so much, Gerry, for your comment. Your conversation with your friend sounds like it was so incredibly meaningful. As we know, time is of the essence. We need to nurture ourselves now in a plethora of ways, including bonds with others and spending time tending to what we love to do. And, so important, these are ways of tending to ourselves and our loved ones.
I so appreciate your stating my publication is inspiring. I take a lot of time thinking about what could make my life more meaningful and more impactful and then I take the necessary action. Thank you for your kind words about my and my daughter's artwork. Yes, Gerry, time is of the essence and we must live on purpose. Thank you!!
Beth, These are all good tips for living life intentionally. I've spent the majority of my life living on my own terms, forging my way alone. Not always easy, but rewarding just the same. I'm glad to see you have a close relationship with your daughter. You are both talented artists.
Thank you, Pamela. Living on one's own terms can be challenging, but like you say, it can be rewarding. Thank you for the high compliment on our artwork. I so appreciate it.
Great tips and reminders too, Beth. The tip I need to work on the most -- Living in the present. I tend to worry about so many things I've either done or should be doing. I need to drop all of that and live in the present. Your sketch, as well as the one your daughter sketched, look great.
Thanks so much for your comment, Nancy! I struggle with living in the present, too. It seems so many times I'm living in the past or worrying about the future. However, I continue to try living in the present. Creating art has helped me because when I'm sketching or oil painting, only the present exists, and it feels wonderful.
And thanks for the kind words about our artwork. I so appreciate you!
Your words, 'For many, conscious living is well within our control,' really resonated with me. It's so easy to feel like we're victims of circumstance, but you're right – we have the power to choose how we respond to life's challenges and create a life that aligns with our values and aspirations. It's empowering to remember that we're not just passengers on this journey; we're the drivers.
Hi Alex,
I so appreciate your comment and your restack of my essay. I totally agree that feeling like a victim is not conducive to empowerment. I love what you've said here: "It's empowering to remember that we're not just passengers on this journey; we're the drivers." Yes we are. Thank you!
This was such a great post, Beth! I talk about a lot of these things with clients on a regular basis. It's nice to see some of your other art work. The sketch of your nephew is fantastic. I absolutely love Ari's self-portrait. It's nice that you can share one of your favorite hobbies with her!
Thank you so much, Pam! I can see why you speak with clients about these self-care basics regularly. It is true that these self-care practices work!
Thank you for your kind words about my sketch of my nephew. It's been forever since I did serious sketching. Now, Arielle and I have occasional contests over who can sketch an apple best, and she wins hands-down. I am sooooo rusty, I can barely draw the apple.
Arielle and I are thinking about enrolling in a watercolor painting class for a month this summer at a local community college. I love watercolors, but it's way out of my comfort zone and every time I've tried it, it's gone haywire. We really, really want to take an art class together, and for me, it's extra special, as she will be starting college in the summer of 2026. Can you believe it? I just want as much together time with her as possible at this point.
It’s a good and therapeutic exercise just to write these things out, to sort through them in your head. Keep following Arielle, you two have a mutual connection through art that strengthens your mother-daughter bond. Paying attention to our mental health is more important than ever these days. Wishing you lots of good days and experiences to balance out the times we live in. ❤️
Hi Alene,
Yes, writing these self-care mantras out really helps reinforce what's important to me. Now I need to keep mulling them over, so I don't forget them in my senior moments -- ha!
Arielle and I luckily have that connection through art, which I never expected when she was little. She spent a lot of time watching me, and like most kids, she loved drawing. I'm so glad it became a serious hobby for her. I hope she never loses her artful ways. She's kind of like my mentor now.
Yes, living in this country is really stressful. I'm thankful that you and I have art to help us cope. Art seems to be one of the few certainties in an uncertain world.
Such great traits to be learning asap! Boundaries are one of the most useful traits for the workplace which took a bit to figure out. Then enforcing those as well! Carving out time for ourselves--so needful. Appreciate those sketches, Beth; time well spent!
Hi Ron,
Thank you for your comment. I agree about boundaries. I wish I had set stricter boundaries years ago, but there's no going back at this point.
So glad you enjoy the sketches. Art is liberating.