Backs Against the Fence
oil on gallery-wrapped canvas
12″ x 30″
©2011 Tracy Wall
Pretty “quotaliscious” here….
In the past few months, I’ve been doing a lot of looking back in life and comparing it to what I want to see when I look forward. I’ve been feeling a little too safe, with only slow calculated chances taken. So how then do you make changes and grow without taking chances?
“I have always had a dread of becoming a passenger in life.” . — Queen Margret II of Denmark
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” —Anaïs Nin
What perfect timing. I approach somewhat of a milestone birthday this year and can feel my “back against the wall” in that the time is now to start a shift.
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” — Maria Robinson
Don’t get me wrong; some shifting has already begun (like potential gallery associations) and I’m ecstatic! But new experiences can help break me from the plateau. It’ll involve believing in myself and taking a chance or two (or three, or lots more!)
“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
So I’ve chosen the word Adventurous to be my 2012 Word of the Year and (thx to Mirriam-Webster and Dictionary.com) can be defined…..
ad-ven-tur-ous (adjective)
a : disposed to seek adventure or to cope with the new and unknown <an adventurous explorer>
b : innovative <an adventurous artistic style>
Adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily with a lack of caution.
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”-- Helen Keller
This doesn’t mean you’ll find me bungee-jumping or anything crazy. Just trying things new to me. Some things I try will be tremendous and fabulous. Some might be uneventful or may not work out as well. The key for me: no fear of poor results, no trying to meet others expectations. Just me.
“You can find your life if you are willing to embark on a great adventure, for those who seek to protect their heart are surely the ones who will lose it.” — Anonymous
Whether these adventures are in art, massage, business, relationships, travel, or fun pursuits, this is the only life I know I’ll be living (reincarnation still up for debate in my book) so I best do all I can in this one.
“One must have the adventurous daring to accept oneself as a bundle of possibilities and undertake the most interesting game in the world — making the most of one’s best.” — Richard Willard Armour
Can all these intelligent quoted people be wrong?
4 comments
January 17, 2012 at 11:20 am
joy schultz
Hi Tracy,
It was so wonderful to see you the other night and i LOVE your choice of the word adventure for this year. I’ll share the word with you and if you ever never a booster shot or an ear to leave an doubts behind I am hear (yes…a pun) for you. So much love and support. Adventure be,
Joy
January 17, 2012 at 11:22 am
joy schultz
that was supposed to read “ever need a booster shot”
January 17, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Tracy Wall
Hey Joy,
Aren’t you funny! You’ll be my #1 booster. Thanks for the support, and carry on with your adventurous spirit too!
January 26, 2012 at 6:55 am
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