i'm ready for the rain: by kim creagan

When I read this email, it was like Kim Creagan was plucking thoughts right out of my head. So without any dallying on my part, I'll let you read what Kim has to say:

I've been having some life challenges lately...a lot of unknowns and changes. That's what this painting made me think of. My life has been full of ups and downs lately. It seems like its really good one minute and then it throws a big curve ball right at me. It's hard to anticipate when those tough times will come, but having some techniques for coping helps when they do. I've been trying to learn some of these techniques for making the down times easier, and feel like my skill set is growing. Deep breathing, yoga, positive thinking, friends and family, walks, meditation, changing perceptions...life is still hard but some things make it easier. With these skills in my pocket I feel like I can say, "I'm ready for the rain!"

I'm finding that it's so so important to have these types of skills and habits in place to deal with all the challenges in life in a healthy way. I'm with you, Kim! An important part of that for me, too, is not expecting myself to change all of my habits and thought patterns in an instant, but knowing that it's a process. I'm learning what I'm learning when I'm learning it! That's it-- it's not good or bad, it just IS. Just having the intention to change and let go of old patterns that don't serve us anymore is huge in itself. We need to be gentle with ourselves! Everything is ok, even when things feel like they're falling apart. And knowing healthy ways to cope makes it that much more ok. :)

To see more of Kim's work, check out her etsy shop, her website, her blog called the spadefoot toad, and her other blog called create :: love :: laugh.

*Thank you, Kim, for sharing your experience and lovely painting with us!*