BEFORE
"I wish I were a white crayon, that way no one could use me. " ~Author Unknown
*****
Although I have ten areas to work on, I seem to see a pattern here. Creativity and spirituality has occupied a lot of my time since the new year.
I probably should have prayed for the correct creative choices, though- or beat the paint mixer at WalMart.
I decided to brighten up my computer area- but I got a little more bright than I bargained for. Don't even need my coffee to wake me up!
*****
"Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment. " ~Claude Monet
*****
I needed to paint this area in my home and I had been itching to get a gallon of paint and go for it! I had even brought home the little paper paint swatches and taped them up all over the wall- studied them in lightness and darkness- by day and by night- and fretted over my choices.
I originally wanted a beautiful purple/magenta color. (After seeing Avitar). Or a sea green-
or a dark blue.
I finally chose what I thought was a dark ocean, but ended up with neon turquoise.
Who knew?
*****
"The more ugly, older, more cantankerous, more ill and poorer I become, the more I try to make amends by making my colors more vibrant, more balanced and beaming." - Vincent van Gogh
*****
The great thing about WalMart paint is that it is fairly cheap.I could easily go back and find another color, but the labor is what I can't get back.
I decided to live with these walls for a bit, and come springtime- maybe re-do it if it hasn't grown on me. I just didn't have the energy to do it all again, even though it was just three small walls.
Besides, it looks good in the dark.
*****
"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself." - Anna Quindlen
*****
My husband always makes choices for our home- based on resale value. "No one wants a teal wall." he says. People won't like that- or this- or that way...he reasons.
But I live here. I want this place to be me. My nest. I want my feathers to be comfy and colorful and fit me just right. If I sell it- the new owners can paint it all white or beighe or do whatever makes them happy.
I once had a miniature chair collection that I kept on a shelf, but you couldn't see them very well. So, I proceeded to hammer over thirty holes in the wall in order to hang them up. It was cool. They looked great and I loved seeeing them all - tiny rockers and willows and tin chairs ready for tiny little butts.
I got chewed out for making the nail holes, but it was worth it.
I enjoyed those chairs for several years until I finally gave them away. The holes have been patched and repainted and no one can tell the damage I inflicted with my hammer.
They brought me joy and didn't hurt anyone in the process.
Isn't that's what life is all about?
*****
"Home should be a sanctuary, a place that feels safe and healthy, looks beautiful, and smells wonderful. Seriously... make it a place that you can come to and have an immediate feeling of… Aaaaah. I'm home. Awesome." - Christie Matheson
*****
Being creative doesn't always mean being safe. It is taking chances, looking outside of the box, and not caring what someone else will think of you.
Being creative is knowing there is always a way out- that nothing is ever set in stone. That it is constantly changing and re-inventing itself. And we must open our minds to all possiblities.
And, although this fiesta-looking teal was not my original choice, it is almost like my walls are smiling now.
(Or laughing.)
Either way- they're here to stay for a little while. Maybe forever. Who knows?
At least I wasn't afraid to try.
*****
“Decorate your home. It gives the illusion that your life is more interesting than it really is.” Charles M. Schulz
***** AFTER 
Todays Five:
1. Eggs
2. Phones
3. Candles
4. Boots
5. Sunsets