Thank you so much Michele. You are a Wonder for me right now. I so needed you words today. I have totally overwhelmed myself and was ready to quit. I've never learned to wonder or keep it simple....and life has to be hard and perfect, too, or I am a failure....and I am 80. So living this way has taken its toll on my health for sure, but you give me hope that God is leading me to a new way of living. I pray I can be patient and gentle with myself and create a simple plan for the100 Days of Wonder that works for me and then be able to accept it when life happens and I must choose to let go. Blessings and prayers for healing, Michele from Nancy
With retirement I find myself searching, once again, for the right medium, but it doesn’t seem to exist. Instead there is, in its place, a creative home-made life-style that infects everything sewing, cooking, knitting, gardening. Making everything.
It is good to be back in this 1970s place. Stay patient, stay peaceful, stay positive. Keep dancing!
Thank you for the timely encouragement! It was a killer week at school: my team has been furiously writing grants for curriculum, attending IEP meetings, and then there’s the kids and a full moon and no snow for ski week and so on! I actually thought adding the Wonder challenge would be impossible, but it ended up being a blessing to breathe, sketch, and paint. My moss was a disaster but I didn’t tear it up! I’m giving it a few days to “grow on me😂” I love the idea of combining a couple of days.
I pray your back heals quickly, and that you have a better week ahead.
I so appreciate your message! I think you’ll be interested in this:
Your door prompt reminded me of an entrance to a church in England I’d visited but when I tried to paint it, it was an unmitigated disaster (truly) and I set it aside. But someone else in our group painted the same doorway! It was so much better and I realized she’d handled the problems I was having by using pen and ink—I was only using watercolors and couldn’t get the definition needed. So I went back and reworked my picture and even though it’s still awful (critiquing myself) it’s better than it was. I don’t want to start over on it, which is what I’d need to do but I have learned from it and am very excited!
Thanks again for this project. I will be adapting the prompts as needed so I don’t get lost in trying to do something if it’s not working for me. And I do hope your back feels better asap.
Hello Michele! What a blessing you are! Your message spoke to me today in so many ways. This past week was total overwhelm for me too. Is it a full moon or what? The crazies are out! I have learned to expect the unexpected, and change course as required, but goodness gracious this week went sideways, upward, downwards and all around, challenging me to the max. However, the promise to myself to create at least one watercolor per week DID happen, albeit at the last minute, on Friday afternoon! I am SO enjoying this journey with you. Thank you for sharing your talent, time and heart. Sorry about your back injury! I hope you heal fast and feel better very soon. Love, Anthea xo
I truly appreciate your perspective! I am actually not a perfectionist! So many around me in my work life were and they stifled my creativity. So I don't have that problem. But I do fight depression from grief and loss. That's why I now dedicate my time to my art. Your ideas are so helpful ☺️
Thank you . It will be an inspiration week thanks to you and to start with the journey...of course it will be Africa for me too ,may all of you have a lovely creative week
Thank you Michele, it is so true that everyone is on a journey through life. Some journeys are more difficult than others, and we all have difficult periods where things seem to be falling apart. Your wonderful spirit comes through, even though you have obviously gone through a lot in your lifetime. We are all benefiting from your "don't give up," "simplify your journey" when needed, (or always!!) way of looking at life. You can see that from the comments. Keep on keepin' on!
“Change isn't failure. It's growth. And growth, remembering back to my 7th grade biology class, is a sign of life.”
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! Reclaiming my garden from that devil Bermuda grass this week has me hurting all over. Having to dig down 3 ft has had me in tears at times. But sitting on my dirt pile admiring my earthworms working so diligently keeps me going. They know all about failure and growth, I mean I just upturned all their hard work after all😆but they don’t seem to mind..too much! Reading this during one of my breaks is exactly what I needed today. Was ready to just give up on my garden. But I now realize...there’s no actual timeline of getting the work done. So a big THANK YOU for this post💚 Every day I look forward to relaxing with my sketchbook, pens and pencils.
I absolutely love your affirming words of support. I only completed 4 of the 7 prompts this week, but as I write this at 6:42pm I’m going to relax tonight and not make myself crazy because “I HAVE TO FINISH THIS!!” That’s my before #100…. brain talking. lol. For me the best thing is that even though what I’ve painted is not perfect- I learned something from every one of them. THAT is the Wonder in all of this. 💗
Thank you, Michelle, for your heartfelt ways and words. Seems a number of us had a challenging first week. I spent the bulk of my past week with my heating pad, too! My life stresses that reared their head right as the project began aggravated one of my health issues. I feel for you Michelle with your back pain. I hope it subsides soon.
Your words definitely resonate with me. I’m doing better today, but the results of my first 7 days out of 100 are pretty pitiful - I used one prompt, and I did some therapeutic doodling (which I actually really enjoyed.) Oh well… I managed to maintain a decent go-with-the-flow attitude, which is really my life’s motto for coping with all the times I’ve had to punt. Best laid plans and all that…
I have some ideas jotted down for this next week’s prompts and I’m looking forward to it. I had signed up for an online watercolor course that I was planning to take during the 100 days. I’m hoping that this week I’ll finally succeed in breaking open my paints and beginning the lessons. I also want to try to illustrate a poem of mine for one of the prompts, and create a reel from my photography for another one, so… we shall see what happens!
Here’s to all of us being kind to our creative selves this week and enjoying this journey… 💜
I had trouble keeping up this past week with my work schedule, and the fact that I am very very new to painting and so it takes me a little while to get things sketched and then completed. My oldest daughter, who is a brilliant artist encouraged me to take one word at a time and to let go of the deadline when I need to. Because this is about showing up and being creative and having fun.
I’m so grateful for this challenge, and I know that I will finish the words with a few extra days if needed. ❤️
This has been such a lovely adventure for me. Being a part of something that is creative delightful and supportive and much bigger than the daily grind I have to participate in. I love seeing the every interpretation and diversity of the work created. What an absolute pleasure & highlight to my day. I can't wait to start the next 7 prompts to inspire me. Thank you 😊
Thank you so much Michele. You are a Wonder for me right now. I so needed you words today. I have totally overwhelmed myself and was ready to quit. I've never learned to wonder or keep it simple....and life has to be hard and perfect, too, or I am a failure....and I am 80. So living this way has taken its toll on my health for sure, but you give me hope that God is leading me to a new way of living. I pray I can be patient and gentle with myself and create a simple plan for the100 Days of Wonder that works for me and then be able to accept it when life happens and I must choose to let go. Blessings and prayers for healing, Michele from Nancy
Ah, the journey.
Full of stops and starts.
Ends & beginnings.
Certainly not a straight line!
More like giant zigs & zags!
With retirement I find myself searching, once again, for the right medium, but it doesn’t seem to exist. Instead there is, in its place, a creative home-made life-style that infects everything sewing, cooking, knitting, gardening. Making everything.
It is good to be back in this 1970s place. Stay patient, stay peaceful, stay positive. Keep dancing!
If you don’t you’ll never know.
No regrets on this journey
💕
Hi Michele,
Thank you for the timely encouragement! It was a killer week at school: my team has been furiously writing grants for curriculum, attending IEP meetings, and then there’s the kids and a full moon and no snow for ski week and so on! I actually thought adding the Wonder challenge would be impossible, but it ended up being a blessing to breathe, sketch, and paint. My moss was a disaster but I didn’t tear it up! I’m giving it a few days to “grow on me😂” I love the idea of combining a couple of days.
I pray your back heals quickly, and that you have a better week ahead.
Donna
I so appreciate your message! I think you’ll be interested in this:
Your door prompt reminded me of an entrance to a church in England I’d visited but when I tried to paint it, it was an unmitigated disaster (truly) and I set it aside. But someone else in our group painted the same doorway! It was so much better and I realized she’d handled the problems I was having by using pen and ink—I was only using watercolors and couldn’t get the definition needed. So I went back and reworked my picture and even though it’s still awful (critiquing myself) it’s better than it was. I don’t want to start over on it, which is what I’d need to do but I have learned from it and am very excited!
Thanks again for this project. I will be adapting the prompts as needed so I don’t get lost in trying to do something if it’s not working for me. And I do hope your back feels better asap.
Hello Michele! What a blessing you are! Your message spoke to me today in so many ways. This past week was total overwhelm for me too. Is it a full moon or what? The crazies are out! I have learned to expect the unexpected, and change course as required, but goodness gracious this week went sideways, upward, downwards and all around, challenging me to the max. However, the promise to myself to create at least one watercolor per week DID happen, albeit at the last minute, on Friday afternoon! I am SO enjoying this journey with you. Thank you for sharing your talent, time and heart. Sorry about your back injury! I hope you heal fast and feel better very soon. Love, Anthea xo
I truly appreciate your perspective! I am actually not a perfectionist! So many around me in my work life were and they stifled my creativity. So I don't have that problem. But I do fight depression from grief and loss. That's why I now dedicate my time to my art. Your ideas are so helpful ☺️
Is there a Way to print this out? I can't keep your notes up on the phone long enough to get a full effect.
Oof! So sorry you have been hurting. Thank you for continuing to hold creative safe space for all of us. Praying healing and restoration for you.
Thank you . It will be an inspiration week thanks to you and to start with the journey...of course it will be Africa for me too ,may all of you have a lovely creative week
Thank you Michele, it is so true that everyone is on a journey through life. Some journeys are more difficult than others, and we all have difficult periods where things seem to be falling apart. Your wonderful spirit comes through, even though you have obviously gone through a lot in your lifetime. We are all benefiting from your "don't give up," "simplify your journey" when needed, (or always!!) way of looking at life. You can see that from the comments. Keep on keepin' on!
“Change isn't failure. It's growth. And growth, remembering back to my 7th grade biology class, is a sign of life.”
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! Reclaiming my garden from that devil Bermuda grass this week has me hurting all over. Having to dig down 3 ft has had me in tears at times. But sitting on my dirt pile admiring my earthworms working so diligently keeps me going. They know all about failure and growth, I mean I just upturned all their hard work after all😆but they don’t seem to mind..too much! Reading this during one of my breaks is exactly what I needed today. Was ready to just give up on my garden. But I now realize...there’s no actual timeline of getting the work done. So a big THANK YOU for this post💚 Every day I look forward to relaxing with my sketchbook, pens and pencils.
Thank you! I sure hope your back is on the mend!
I absolutely love your affirming words of support. I only completed 4 of the 7 prompts this week, but as I write this at 6:42pm I’m going to relax tonight and not make myself crazy because “I HAVE TO FINISH THIS!!” That’s my before #100…. brain talking. lol. For me the best thing is that even though what I’ve painted is not perfect- I learned something from every one of them. THAT is the Wonder in all of this. 💗
Thank you, Michelle, for your heartfelt ways and words. Seems a number of us had a challenging first week. I spent the bulk of my past week with my heating pad, too! My life stresses that reared their head right as the project began aggravated one of my health issues. I feel for you Michelle with your back pain. I hope it subsides soon.
Your words definitely resonate with me. I’m doing better today, but the results of my first 7 days out of 100 are pretty pitiful - I used one prompt, and I did some therapeutic doodling (which I actually really enjoyed.) Oh well… I managed to maintain a decent go-with-the-flow attitude, which is really my life’s motto for coping with all the times I’ve had to punt. Best laid plans and all that…
I have some ideas jotted down for this next week’s prompts and I’m looking forward to it. I had signed up for an online watercolor course that I was planning to take during the 100 days. I’m hoping that this week I’ll finally succeed in breaking open my paints and beginning the lessons. I also want to try to illustrate a poem of mine for one of the prompts, and create a reel from my photography for another one, so… we shall see what happens!
Here’s to all of us being kind to our creative selves this week and enjoying this journey… 💜
I had trouble keeping up this past week with my work schedule, and the fact that I am very very new to painting and so it takes me a little while to get things sketched and then completed. My oldest daughter, who is a brilliant artist encouraged me to take one word at a time and to let go of the deadline when I need to. Because this is about showing up and being creative and having fun.
I’m so grateful for this challenge, and I know that I will finish the words with a few extra days if needed. ❤️
I missed Week 1! Just arrived to Manila and will go grab some art supplies to jump right in! This is exciting!
This has been such a lovely adventure for me. Being a part of something that is creative delightful and supportive and much bigger than the daily grind I have to participate in. I love seeing the every interpretation and diversity of the work created. What an absolute pleasure & highlight to my day. I can't wait to start the next 7 prompts to inspire me. Thank you 😊