Daily Nourishment for May 20, 2024: Art, Life, and Setting Priorities
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 50 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
“It always seems to me that so few people live — they just seem to exist and I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t live always — til we die physically…” - Georgia O’Keeffe
Pause.
Take six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale.
Prompt.
Look at My Front Yard, Summer by Georgia O’Keeffe for two or three minutes. While looking at the painting, continue taking six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale.
Practice.
Read the Georgia O’Keeffe quotes below.
“Most of the time I am alone with my dog and think it is fine to be alone — I have been working and rather like my doings — I really work like a day laborer — have been preparing canvas and it is really hard work but Im determined to prepare enough to last four or five years so there will always be lots of empty ones around. Im even going to frame them and back them so there will be nothing left to do but the paintings… My life is good — and I like it. The dog and I have a walk almost every early morning and again at sunset — He just now banged on the door to tell me he was ready to come in and go to bed.”
“I do not like the idea of happyness — it is too momentary — I would say that I was always busy and interested in something — interest has more meaning to me than the idea of happyness.”
Set a timer for nine minutes and take notes or journal in response to the painting or her quotes included in this email. Use these questions, if you like:
—How does her painting remind you of summer?
—What do you want for yourself in the coming summer months?
—How is your front yard different from the painting?
—What daily rhythms help you inhabit your creative work?
—What good things have you noticed recently?
—What are your thoughts on happiness, creative busyness, and curiosity?
Want More?
Read “Georgia O’Keeffe on Art, Life, and Setting Priorities.”
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Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—The May Co-Writing Schedule is live. Learn more here.
—This month’s Revision Stations Designed by Lauren Winner gathering will be on Saturday, May 25th from 10:15-noon CT.
If you have something that needs revision attention, you will not regret attending. Promise.
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.