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“How do you come up with all of this?”  This is one of the questions I often hear. And you know what? Quite often I don’t know the answer.

There are some (or many) days which I call “empty”. And it isn’t the only case of an artist. I bet you’ve had plenty of motivating mornings and disappointing evenings.

You jump out of bed with some ideas, tasks, and duties, with your goals for the day or your dream fulfillment.  Maybe grabbing a diary to write a “To Do” list, making some coffee…

How about procrastination with some “unimportant” housework and having a little rest before getting tired?  One more coffee and a forced attempt to put a tick to the list you’ve made…

Nothing! Lunch, dinner, bed and:

“Dear God, thank you for this day of my life and I AM SORRY I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING I HAD TO DO! Tomorrow I’ll do my best, hopefully.”

Most of you probably know the proverb, “Man plans, and God laughs”? So, after a so-called empty day (and even a week) I remind myself that it was one of those days when you simply can’t do anything about.

However, our ancestors were wise people and came up with another proverb: “God helps those who help themselves” (!)

I said I WAS SORRY! I know I had to push harder, to keep going, making at least one step towards my goals I set myself (?!)…

Really?! My goals I set myself for MYSELF?! And now I end up with a row of empty- head days, feeling guilty because I can’t think, create or manage my own obligations!  But I managed to do so much earlier. I know I’m capable to do it now.

Ok. Maybe I need some holiday. Yes! I won’t force myself with daily achievements, accept my emptiness and see what happens.

It was yesterday when I decided to take a holiday for my head, imagination, and creativity. So today I woke up calm and relaxed, without any intentions for the day. Prepared a cup of coffee and made a sandwich for breakfast. Just a simple sandwich with the topping I like: ciabatta bread, avocado, feta cheese, sunflower sprouts, a drop of olive oil with a sprinkle of sesame seeds…

Oh my God! The simple sandwich looks so beautiful! Took my camera, made a picture, looked at it again and immediately came up with an idea for painting on sea stones. The palette of light brown, green, white… The outcome doesn’t matter much.

Simple products, ordinary colors, smooth taste, a relaxed mind and catching the very moment on camera. Welcome back my dear Inspiration! Welcome back my Creativity!

And thank you, God, for bread, cheese, and avocado!

***

Sometimes or I should say more often you have to stop pushing yourself too hard.  It doesn’t matter what you do, whether you’re an artist, a teacher, an office worker, a housewife or a self-employed entrepreneur willing to move forward, to make the best of every single day. When the running, seeking, achieving become a competition with yourself, stop for a moment. Take some “letting go holiday” instead of planning and struggling. You’ll see. God or the Universe knows how to make you the right sandwich.