Goldilocks Revisited and Come Check Out My Art!

I’m back!

Did you miss me? 

I’m not gonna lie, taking a break from writing this newsletter was awesome.

No need to reflect on my whys and wherefores. No need to go looking for dots to connect. No need to share about anything that’s going on for me.

I could just be. And paint. Or not paint. In peace. 

And I did. Paint. And not paint. In relative peace. 

The part of me that just wants to be left alone to do my own damn thing had a grand ol’ time this summer.

I did some stuff, saw some folks, and spent a lot of time on the couch. Usually outside. Little dog at my feet. iPad on my lap. Listening to the birds, or the news or a podcast or music. Playing spider solitaire. 

It’s my favorite way to let my thoughts wander and let my background brain sort things out. I do my best processing this way and I emerge refreshed and bursting with new ideas. 

Except if I stay too long. 

If I linger on the couch my mind either goes blank or it starts going in loops.

That’s where I lose all connection with myself and the world around me.

There’s a fine line between joy and not-joy.

So the trick is to give myself plenty of couch time and then to know when to get my butt in gear.

That’s where this newsletter comes in. It’s so great to have somewhere to go with my musings and ponderings.

So I’m thrilled to be back with you!

And I’m also scared to death that I’m going to offend you, or write in a way that will make you feel unseen or left out, or write boring details about my life that no one can relate to. 

Aah! 

See why I needed a break?

Here’s the annoying thing, though, as you well know: Humans need stress to thrive.

Too much stress, and we feel like we’re just checking off boxes, not really living. 

Too little stress, and we feel like our life is pointless and meaningless. 

We need just the right amount, Goldilocks style. 

Oh my God!

I just figured out Goldilocks! And here I thought this was just another dumb predictable story. 

Come to find out, it has DEEPER MEANING! 

We get to try things out in life until we find the things that fit just right. And we get to keep trying until we find them, forever and ever. And keep tweaking and adjusting. (Ok, I’m embellishing, but still!)

And also, there’s no big Right or Wrong, either-or. There’s usually more options and we can pick whatever feels just right to us right now!

@&§€{}°°° (mind blown)

See what I mean?! I love connecting dots!

And I love having somewhere to go to share my latest pearls of wisdom. 

Thanks for being on the other end of this newsletter. Thanks for reading. Truly. It means the world to me.  

One more thing. Check out the badass poster made by Bill Gilmer, a local graphic designer and fellow abstract painter. I’m super excited to join him and two other local abstract painters (yes, they exist in Corvallis!) at the upcoming Corvallis Arts Walk at the Corvallis Museum. I would LOVE to see you there!

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What do you do with your pearls of wisdom? Do you keep them to yourself? Do you write them down? Do you tell someone? Do you knead them into bread? Do you whisper them to the trees? Do you tie them in a handkerchief and slip them into your lover’s pocket? What? Drop me a line to let me know. It truly makes my day to connect with you.

With love and support,

Mary B. 

PS. No more Journal Doodle Circle for a while. My brain needs a break from doing too many different things. 

PPS. If you want to work with me, check out this page. 

PPS. Come see my work at the Corvallis Museum!