Hello everyone. Before I write this blog I wanted to thank all of you for being a part of, and for your interest in Laurie Burton Training .
I love what I do! Helping people realize their potential and embrace their individuality . BUT, there are times when I have to “ practice what I preach .”
Example: All my life I have been attracted to art, painting and drawing, but I would never attempt it, because in my mind my drawing ability was not very good, in fact I thought it was awful. My mother, father and stepfather were gifted artists. This alone was intimidating, plus the fact I could barely draw a stick figure. In fact, you might compare it to how many people feel about getting in front of group and speaking– they avoid it.
Six years ago I started doing sketches of mountains and trees. I tried western style painting and even figure drawing where you draw real life naked models. That was something! The bottom line (no pun intended), was it just didn’t appeal to me – the approach or the teacher. One day a friend of mine recommended that I try Chinese Brush Painting. That sounded really interesting. I found a teacher online close to me. Let me shorten the story by telling you that I fell in love with Chinese Brush Painting. It speaks to my spirit and on top of that my teacher, Nan Rae, is such an inspiration and a gifted artist.
About a year ago, a fellow artist and friend told me about an art show and suggested I buy a space and show some of my paintings. Oh, I said, “my work isn’t that good, how could I compare and compete with all of the “real” artists in the show?” Does this reaction and thinking sound familiar? These are the same thoughts and reactions that my clients have when they consider how much of themselves they have to put forth in order to “Speak, Present and Communicate successfully. People are going to judge them and compare them to other presenters and speakers. They just don’t have the “talent” or “personality” to take that on.
So I looked at how I have never been afraid to try something new in my life and checked into the facts and the why behind my insecurity about my paintings. How did I really feel about my work? Was I “worthy”? It came to me again, that life long lesson. It isn’t about what others think. It’s about how I feel about my work and in this case my painting. So I got out of my own way, out of my head and into my emotions. I love Chinese Brush Painting. If I could I would do it everyday. There are six or seven pieces that I have done that I can say I love. I should also tell you there are many more that were not very good – but the fact is you only learn to paint a bamboo leaf by doing thousands of them.
Once again, life, has offered up an incredible learning experience to me. We always have something to learn. We must open our hearts to ourselves as well as the others we teach and love. What do you love about yourself? Are you sharing it with the world?