Funniest thing... I was inspired to draw this during my morning routine today and afterwards when I opened one of my morning meditation books (titled, "A Deep Breath of Life" by Alan Cohen) to today's reading this is what it said, "What do you believe you cannot do?  Are you willing to call to question your sense of limits?  Would you rather be right, or free?"

I want to be free, of course.  "Age is no obstacle!" and this applies even if you try to convince yourself that you're too young.  I've done that too.

The most inspiring piece at the the Grand View Fine Art Studios exhibit in Los Angeles, CA hangs on the door of Artist Leebs Goya's studio, aka studio #15.  It's, "READY," a painting of one of her characters beaming with enthusiasm standing on top of the giant word READY.  With his arms outstretched he appears to be wearing his own brand of superhero uniform.  With a big smile he emits rays of joy.  Then right underneath it is a long piece of masking tape stuck to the door with the following handwritten message written on it, "Leebs, LEAVE YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR." 

I relate to this "note to self" 100%.  All I kept thinking was, what a great thing to have on the door of your work space.  That's because it's impossible for me to create anything and enjoy myself with my ego around.  It's like having someone constantly looking over your shoulder while you're working.  My ego's a pest obsessed with constantly reminding me how others may judge whatever it is I'm doing.  He thinks he's helping with his advice, and some of it even comes across as constructive criticism, but all I end up doing is second guessing myself.  And even if I persevere in my ego's presence I never feel 100% confident about what I've done no matter how many wonderful reviews I get.

So consciously leaving my ego at the door is the best way for me to get started on anything.  Without my ego in the way I'm free do whatever it is I'm inspired to do.  I can play, I can make a mess, I can be silly, I can make mistakes.  I can live without inhibition.  I'm free to be me and when I'm true to myself I always feel confident about whatever it is I've done - no matter what other people think of it.  I'm happy, satisfied and feel inspired to continue and create some more - READY to have more fun! 

Thanks Leebs, that's just what I needed.

"The ego constantly competes with the spirit for
control over your inner voice."  -Darren L. Johnson

"My ego is not mi amigo."  -Unknown

Happy Mother's Day.

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn-out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!"
- Anonymous

After deciding to turn this old book into a sketch pad I promised myself that this time I was going to encourage myself to create recklessly. Meaning I was going to give myself permission to have fun.  I was to create without any concern about what I, or what I think anyone else, expects from me. 
It was time risk it all and MAKE A MESS! 

What I discovered is when I let go and dive in with reckless abandon my intuition kicks in.  With the Superconscious as my guide I'm surprised with drawings I could have never created by being careful.  I'm also fascinated that working this way seemed to eliminate all my self-consciousness.  Normally, I would be reluctant to share anything I've drawn unless I felt 100% positive about it, but not so with what I've created here.  What a relief!

I was having a bit of a struggle drawing this lion.  I couldn't seem to convey the emotion I had hoped to express on his face. 

I thought scribbling my lions on a pad at a coffee shop would keep me from taking it too seriously and enable me to accomplish my goal: an energetic drawing of an expressive lion.  I'd have all the fun without the pressure.  But it didn't work.  I was getting frustrated.  The more I kept trying to get it right the worse it got. 

Over hearing me sigh, my friend Edward Biagiotti, author of the blog Tapping Into Genius, casually said, "Smile when you draw that."  Sounds silly but I knew he was right.  So I did it.  As soon as the corners of my mouth turned up I could immediately feel my mood rise with the flood of endorphins a smile releases.  I lightened up, loosened up and my drawing improved.  Best of all it made me feel great since you can't be frustrated and smile at the same time.

I wrote this down as a constant reminder to myself that determination leads only to frustration and gritted teeth.  Thank God the remedy is so simple.  BTW there really is something scientific to this, in Forbes Magazine, Ron Gutman confirms "The Untapped Power of Smiling." In this article Ron gives scientific examples of how smiling improves our test scores, performance in athletics and even prolongs life.